Can I install my DELL MCE2005 on another machine? [Archive]

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Kilroy M1730

03-19-2006, 05:24 PM

I was wondering, if it was possible to use the Windows MCE 2005 discs that came with my Dell system, to install on my non-Dell desktop? I might be selling the dell computer, and the buyer doesn't want MCE2005, so if I wipe the drive, I should still legally own the Dell MCE 2005. I would then like to install this on my desktop, and was wondering how if possible I could do this??

Yoob@NBF

03-19-2006, 08:27 PM

Cant be done.

JTOverath

03-20-2006, 09:17 AM

It will actually install, but will prompt you to activate.

chevyrulz099

03-20-2006, 10:37 AM

i think installing an OEM OS on ANY machine (be it dell or not) other than the machine you buought it with is ILLEGAL.

but aside from that, it should work (:

Kilroy M1730

03-20-2006, 10:46 AM

moman

03-20-2006, 10:52 AM

Your best bet is to look online and buy an OEM copy of Windows XP MCE 2005 (~$130). I agree with you in theory that you own the software but unfortunately that's not the way it works. OEM copies are licensed to be installed only on a single PC and will not be activated for another PC either by Dell or MSFT.

That's another reason I buy retail box software.....

Johnmcl7

03-20-2006, 11:44 AM

Well, so far we got a "Can't be done", a "prompt you to activate", and a "should work". Anyone else??

As I mentioned, I believe I own the OS legally. I bought it, and am selling the machine, but not the OS. If all I have to do is activate it, then no problem. But.... do I call Dell, or Microsoft??

You can't transfer OEM licenses, they are tied to the machine they are activated with - if you tried to do as you say, when you tried to activate the license MS wouldn't allow you. There have been some rare cases when MS have allowed it but realstically you must have a retail license if you wish to transfer it between machines.

John

chevyrulz099

03-20-2006, 01:18 PM

Well, so far we got a "Can't be done", a "prompt you to activate", and a "should work". Anyone else??

As I mentioned, I believe I own the OS legally. I bought it, and am selling the machine, but not the OS. If all I have to do is activate it, then no problem. But.... do I call Dell, or Microsoft??

you bought it with an OEM license. you dont own it to put on any pc you want, plain and simple.

look it up on google, its there.

OEM licenses are not to be mistaken for retail my friend.

Kilroy M1730

03-22-2006, 01:58 AM

you bought it with an OEM license. you dont own it to put on any pc you want, plain and simple.

look it up on google, its there.

OEM licenses are not to be mistaken for retail my friend.

So, what about if I were to buy an OEM license from a computer store, when I also bought a new hard drive? That is apparently legal. The OEM wouldn't be able to be tied to any one machine, as the hard drive could go in any win/tel system??? If it works that way, as in I buy a hard drive, and also an OEM version of XP, then I call to get it activated, and it works, what would be the difference between that and what I want to do???

Since Dell uses an image to put XP onto a new system, it is highly likely that my product key on my laptop hasn't even been used? Wonder what would happen if I installed MCE on a different system, using the latop's product key??

Maybe I'll use that "Magic Jelly bean" keyfinder to see if the INSTALLED product key actually matches the one on the kaptop?????

Jeffbx

03-22-2006, 07:11 AM

The license agreement, as written, states that an OEM license can only legally be used with the machine it was purchased with. Technically, resellers should not sell OEM licenses with anything other than a pre-loaded, functioning PC. To do otherwise is a pretty grey area, and you'll probably not be in license compliance.

So, to answer your question - you can not *legally* use the license on any other machine than the one that it shipped with, even another Dell machine. I believe Dell builds in a check on their OEM CDs that will verify if a machine is a Dell box, and won't install onto other machines.

So, while it may technically be possible with a little effort to get the OS to install on a different machine, it will not be a legal copy.

MrEvil

03-23-2006, 04:56 AM

Since Dell uses an image to put XP onto a new system, it is highly likely that my product key on my laptop hasn't even been used? Wonder what would happen if I installed MCE on a different system, using the latop's product key??

Maybe I'll use that "Magic Jelly bean" keyfinder to see if the INSTALLED product key actually matches the one on the kaptop?????

They key on your Laptop's COA won't activate on anything other than a Dell PC. Microsoft knows exactly what keys went to Dell, or HP, or Lenovo. In fact, when I have to replace bottom plastics on a notebook I have to cover up the key on the plastics I ship back to Dell.

Also, the key on your COA isn't the key Dell used to install Windows. Microsoft has essentially a Windows XP corporate key they assign to Dell that can only be activated on a Dell PC (it has something to do with the system BIOS)

ZestyCheddar

03-29-2006, 08:26 PM

They key on your Laptop's COA won't activate on anything other than a Dell PC. Microsoft knows exactly what keys went to Dell, or HP, or Lenovo. In fact, when I have to replace bottom plastics on a notebook I have to cover up the key on the plastics I ship back to Dell.

Also, the key on your COA isn't the key Dell used to install Windows. Microsoft has essentially a Windows XP corporate key they assign to Dell that can only be activated on a Dell PC (it has something to do with the system BIOS)
:yeahthat: You should be able to run it on any Dell PC. I have MCE on my 6000 and 9300 from the same disc (6000 came with XP Pro)

MrEvil

03-29-2006, 11:53 PM

:yeahthat: You should be able to run it on any Dell PC. I have MCE on my 6000 and 9300 from the same disc (6000 came with XP Pro)

Right, my i8200 shipped with Home edition and I was able to install XP Pro on it from a Dell disc without activation. Still illegal though if your system doesn't have the proper COA.

Yoob@NBF

03-30-2006, 03:45 PM

To further Elaborate my 3 word response a DELL OEM MCE 2005 Windows CD Can ONLY be used on DELL assigned machines due to OEM restrictions.

Kilroy M1730

03-30-2006, 06:00 PM

So, could I use the Dell CD to install MCE2005 on my homebuilt desktop, if I got a valid key? I gather that the MCE2005 I got with my Dell is essentially a "corporate edition"?

PEBKAC

03-30-2006, 06:41 PM

So, could I use the Dell CD to install MCE2005 on my homebuilt desktop, if I got a valid key? I gather that the MCE2005 I got with my Dell is essentially a "corporate edition"?

If the valid key that you get is an OEM key. a retail key will not work.

Yoob@NBF

03-30-2006, 08:33 PM

No you misunderstand. These CDs have checks and one of which is the system bios is read to see if a compatible system is being used with the cd. In your sense you want to use the Legit CD's on a completely different system but once youve actually installed the OS onto your homegrown machine then windows will not activate because your system did not meet the requirements needed to pass into validation. This is why Dell CD's can ONLY be used on Dells system regardless of the key used. In fact a retail key will NOT work on an OEM installation. A OEM cd can however be installed on multiple systems as long as they are Dell machines.

So if anyones intention is to own Windows Legitimately then purchasing a Branded OEM CD will not cover you legally. If you have a company branded machine then using a friends restore cd will cause no harm since the CD is being used for its intended purpose.

chevyrulz099

03-30-2006, 09:04 PM

its dell or bust.

i dont think the believers are understanding us.

BraytonAK

03-31-2006, 03:13 AM

So what if you used a TrueImage or Ghost image of the original machine on the destination machine? Granted, you'd have to probably do a repair installation, but there are times when Windows will jump machines. It could happen! :laugh:

Yoob@NBF

03-31-2006, 12:32 PM