Installed old hard drive in different computer

I never asked you to stop recommending the use of Sysprep deployment tool, now, Deploy could be defined in many different ways one of which is "To come into a position ready for use", For the release purpose, quoting Wiki, "Deployment implies moving a product from a temporary or development state to a permanent or desired state"; I also never said anything about not believing you but did suggest providing steps or a little more explanation based on the original poster's text which shows his understanding of the whole picture and his ability to use the tool, you explained why you didn't and I respect that.

You did state the need to contact MS and re-activate which is important and needs to be pointed out, again, you did. Now, I am interested to have more detail when you said someone from MS suggested use off Sysprep to change platforms. Not asking you to prove anything, just plain interest.

We get many systems just for upgrade or repair, I am the one who calls MS to re-activate on behalf of the customer, I never lie and explain what happened, what was changed, every single time I get a code to enter and sometimes the person even says, we hope you didn't loose important data after apologizing! This is "against" the EULA in case of an upgrade! Most of us if not all, never read the EULA and just press F8, but I have read it more than once just to make time go by faster and for self amusement sitting there with no work to do or waiting on a process to finish.

Did you know that:

"You may not rent, lease, or lend your computer (including laptops) to anyone once it has Windows XP Home on it."
"If you share files or printers with other computers in your house, you are not allowed to share with more than 5 other computers."
"Microsoft is not liable even if they break the terms of this agreement."
"Microsoft assures you that Windows XP Home will work correctly for the first 90 days. They do not assure you that Windows XP Home or any “service packs” or “hot fixes” will work correctly after this time."
"You can install win xp home on second computer, as long as you delete the other installation"
Then there is this:
"If the motherboard is upgraded or replaced for reasons other than a defect, then a new computer has been created and the license of new operating system software is required."

Most of this can be interpreted in different ways, but the wording "new license required" which the re-activation basically creates, satisfies the requirement, or does it? How many people do you think will read it that way if they read it at all?

BTW, this was from my old text and mainly for XP Home, haven't read the EULA recently, I merged paragraphs and killed spaces to make this shorter

You mean a second Harddrive of course
Pretty sure second Partition is ok though
But a second computer, I don't think so (without transfer of owner and key)

That was the exact wording, why I used "" but as I mentioned couple years or more back, haven't read the EULA lately.

Now you guys making me itch to read it on my next install, LOL

Thanks everyone for your help. Sorry I never posted back, been busy doing other things. I put the hard drive back in the old computer and all is good. Saved all the files and will do the change later on. Don't have the time at the moment, so my brother can just deal with the slowness.

Hey Sharam, i think you misunderstood me. i contacted MS prior to using sysprep because i was concerned about re-registration. all i did upon completion was follow the prompts and enter my key, it re-registered me and never asked me to call or give any further explanation. i have done it three times over the last month, all three worked that way.

Kim, just to clear things up, I actually referred Greg (red1776) to this excellent sticky at the HardForum. Some users there have reported that they have had success using a single sysprep image with multiple configurations.

Greg linked you to MS's page on the program, which also has the relevant info you need. Of course, that page is intended for users with fairly advanced knowledge, which must be obvious from the terms used. So if the OP did not understand anything, they can go with one of the usual methods to prepare your system for when you upgrade your motherboard. The usual process is to backup/format/install/restore, as stated by the creator of the sticky in the last post of the aforementioned thread, and sysprep is just an alternative to this long process.

And it is perfectly legal AFAIK, since it requires an activation from MS before you can start using the OS. So even if it is an OEM installation, you can swap over the system HDD from one computer to the other, (provided it is not an HP or Dell PC with an OS pre-installed) and still require activation before using the OS, effectively still being within the boundaries of the EULA AFAICT. If this is not the way the EULA defines it, I'd be happy to know the actual terms.

Original quote follows:

Now here's your reply:

I would not use the word "usual" I would say: "best"
I do agree that "sysprep is just an alternative"


This next part is a tad confusing (even though correct):

Yes you can use any non-activated Windows on any PC (or Windows able computer)
But, you will then need to use a totally new key, that is not OEM for another manufacture computer (obviously) Therefore getting back to the original post (OEM or not) the original user will not be able to activate (legally) the other computer.

Therefore my original (argued against) post:

I hope that you fully agree that a Repair is the "usual" and BEST option in this case, and that you would not go around running Sysprep in this scenario, unless (and I have done this before) you were trying to avoid lengthy re-install option, and happened to have an excellent (compatible ) Sysprep image, that could "time save" a complete re-install.

This original member was not talking about a complete re-install, and it just so happens that Repair, will also remove the hardware layer as well.

Lets just leave it as Sysprep is an alternative. (I read the guide too) What has got mixed up here is COA and EULA, which quite obviously Sysprep does not affect
Therefore, it is not the "worst" idea, but possibly not the best in this one off situation.

Fair enough Kim; I also believe a repair and\or reformat+clean install is actually easier if you are not familiar enough with computers.

But as far as an OEM copy is concerned, wouldn't changing the system HDD over to a new PC allow you to use your original key? Because unless you cloned the original HDD and are using that in a new computer, it is effectively like you have "uninstalled" (divorced? LOL) the OS from the previous system. Or am I missing something here?

Yes you must have just gone blank or something
You cannot legally move an OEM label to another computer

So then you may state that you have done this, and informed MS without issue?
Hence my quote:

Why not? Surely as long as it is not being used for two computers at the same time it is permissible, no?

EDIT: I see that this applies for OEM OSes that one may purchase from a store, but not to computers with an OEM OS pre-installed. Sorry for any confusion. I have also likewise edited my first post to reflect this.

Have a nice day Kim.