Creating Windows install disc from OEM computer

Okay so I have a ThinkCentre PC with Windows XP Home installed on on it.
I've got another machine that is currently running Vista. If I make a
install cd from the XP machine, can I install it on my other Compaq
machine that is running vista (it came with XP Media Center Edition 2005
but it had all this crap preloaded onto it). Or, can I reformat the XP
Media Center Edition PC, and then make an install dvd out of that (i.e.
will it remove the crap that Compaq put on it?).


--
FruitRocks15

 

FruitRocks15 wrote:

>
> Okay so I have a ThinkCentre PC with Windows XP Home installed on on it.
> I've got another machine that is currently running Vista. If I make a
> install cd from the XP machine, can I install it on my other Compaq
> machine that is running vista (it came with XP Media Center Edition 2005
> but it had all this crap preloaded onto it). Or, can I reformat the XP
> Media Center Edition PC, and then make an install dvd out of that (i.e.
> will it remove the crap that Compaq put on it?).

No. In both cases the OEM license to use XP is tied to the original
computers on which it was installed. Aside from the legalities, in most
cases a branded OEM install disk will not work on a differently-branded
computer.

If your end goal is to do a clean install of Windows XP on the Compaq, you
will need to purchase a full retail version of XP. Make sure to get all the
Compaq drivers and have them on hand first.

Malke
--
MS-MVP
Elephant Boy Computers - Don't Panic!
http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/#FAQ

 

I'm curious. How do you intend to "make a install cd from the XP machine"?
Is there a program that creates an install CD from the usually hidden
restore partition? Better yet, how do you intend to make such a CD from a
reformatted machine? Do you mean from an reformatted AND reinstalled
machine? I don't see how that latter idea will work better than the former.
If you can make an install CD from your current XP system, then all you have
to worry about is whether the resulting CD will install to anything other
than another ThinkCentre. And then, once you're done, you have to hope that
the MS activation system will let you activate the second system. On this
score, you'd best not reformat/reinstall the ThinkCentre, as this will
require a new activation. You don't want to activate the same copy of
Windows XP more than once in several months.

Frankly, I wouldn't hope for much success, primarily due to activation
issues. I suspect your new install CD will be pegged to your ThinkCentre.
Not just any Think Centre, I mean pegged your specific machine. But that's
only my suspicion. I don't have specific knowledge on this issue.

--
Ronin

"FruitRocks15" <guest@unknown-email.com> wrote in message
news:e049b02e888150cabc66bd5971b150d5@nntp-gateway.com...
>
> Okay so I have a ThinkCentre PC with Windows XP Home installed on on it.
> I've got another machine that is currently running Vista. If I make a
> install cd from the XP machine, can I install it on my other Compaq
> machine that is running vista (it came with XP Media Center Edition 2005
> but it had all this crap preloaded onto it). Or, can I reformat the XP
> Media Center Edition PC, and then make an install dvd out of that (i.e.
> will it remove the crap that Compaq put on it?).
>
>
> --
> FruitRocks15

 

"FruitRocks15" <guest@unknown-email.com> wrote in message
news:e049b02e888150cabc66bd5971b150d5@nntp-gateway.com...
>
> Okay so I have a ThinkCentre PC with Windows XP Home installed on on it.
> I've got another machine that is currently running Vista. If I make a
> install cd from the XP machine, can I install it on my other Compaq
> machine that is running vista (it came with XP Media Center Edition 2005
> but it had all this crap preloaded onto it). Or, can I reformat the XP
> Media Center Edition PC, and then make an install dvd out of that (i.e.
> will it remove the crap that Compaq put on it?).
>
>
> --
> FruitRocks15
>
> __________ Information from ESET Smart Security, version of virus
> signature database 4136 (20090606) __________
>
> The message was checked by ESET Smart Security.
>
> http://www.eset.com
>
>
>


Do a full restore of Media Center onto the Compaq machine..

To remove the crap that Compaq add, use XP's secret function which gets rid
of crap. Are you ready to find out what it is?

Add/Remove Programs..


--

Mike Hall - MVP Windows Experience
http://msmvps.com/blogs/mikehall/


__________ Information from ESET Smart Security, version of virus signature database 4136 (20090606) __________

The message was checked by ESET Smart Security.

http://www.eset.com

 

On 7 Jun 2009 18:41, Ronin wrote:

> I'm curious. How do you intend to "make a install cd from the
> XP machine"? Is there a program that creates an install CD
> from the usually hidden restore partition? Better yet, how do
> you intend to make such a CD from a reformatted machine? Do
> you mean from an reformatted AND reinstalled machine? I don't
> see how that latter idea will work better than the former. If
> you can make an install CD from your current XP system, then
> all you have to worry about is whether the resulting CD will
> install to anything other than another ThinkCentre. And then,
> once you're done, you have to hope that the MS activation
> system will let you activate the second system. On this score,
> you'd best not reformat/reinstall the ThinkCentre, as this
> will require a new activation. You don't want to activate the
> same copy of Windows XP more than once in several months.
>
> Frankly, I wouldn't hope for much success, primarily due to
> activation issues. I suspect your new install CD will be
> pegged to your ThinkCentre. Not just any Think Centre, I mean
> pegged your specific machine. But that's only my suspicion. I
> don't have specific knowledge on this issue.
>

Useful post. Thanks