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Robin Cornelius wrote: > Unless its a copy of XP bought from the shop (ie a retail not OEM > version) then you can't transfer the licence to another PC so you can't > legaly have an old XP disk. > Even if it's an OEM copy, if it has already been 'activated' you will probably face issues with activating it on a different computer. > Even with a retail version you are expected to stick the sticker to the > PC and then that is probably non transferable afterwards as well. If you > can get the sticker with the disks you will *probably* be licensed. > Again that depends on activation issues. > *So much for rights* > We are talking about Microsoft here ;) > Which is exactly where you will be unless you buy a copy. > 'Fraid he's right. > Can't you use the backup disks supplied with the laptop? :-) (sorry for > that one!) > I'd suggest Ghosting it and then using the backups from the laptop. That's what I did prior to sending mine in for repair. > Of cause *if* you were changing a critical hardware component in the > computer (eg the fan *has* stopped working). Then you are building a PC > and can buy a OEM copy which saves a lot. I got an OEM XP Pro supplied with an IDE cable. Cost about £100. The licensing *AFAIK* states an OEM copy must be sold 'with a PC component'. Obviously the lawyers meant that to be a whole computer, but obeying the letter of the license means suppliers and consumers get a better deal albeit OEMs still need activation whereas retail XP Pro does not. I think ghosting it, or buying an OEM copy is the best *legal* option to be honest. Maybe get whoever didn't tell you it was on loan to pay is an option, or is that the aforementioned public sector body? Kind regards, Julian -- The Mailing List for the Devon & Cornwall LUG http://mailman.dclug.org.uk/listinfo/list FAQ: http://www.dcglug.org.uk/linux_adm/list-faq.html