The answer is Yes and No.

You can install it on your Dell (whether it will work well with only 512MB of ram is another question).  If you ACTIVATE it, then it 
can NOT be used again. It must be activated within 30 days of installation, but you can install it over and over (trying to get it 
to work, for example) without activating, but only for up to 30 days per installation.  Once you activate the operating system, then 
it is legally locked to that particular computer.  What "computer" means is a whole other story.

If you buy the full retail version of XP, then you  have the legal right to transfer it from computer to computer (but only have it 
installed on one computer at a time), and the issue of activation is no longer relevant.  However, you might have to convince a M$ 
rep that you are using it legally.

So, go ahead and install it on the Dell, but do not activate it.  Do not permit it to automatically activate.  You could even 
disconnect the internet if you were paranoid.  :)  If it does not work the way you want, then go ahead and install it on another 
computer.

Dean Kukral

PS:  I notice that there is an SP3 version available, 
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116515&Tpk=32-116-515, for ten dollars more.  It may or may not be worth it 
if you have a slow internet connection.

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Bob Lendrim" <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Tuesday, May 27, 2008 3:16 PM
Subject: [PCBUILD] XP Operating system portability


I'm planning to buy a Win XP SP2 operating system. I'm going to try to install it on a Dell Dimension 4100 PIII with 512 megs RAM. 
If the Dimension 4100 can't handle it, I'd like to later use it on a different computer. I'm looking at this OEM package:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116400

My question: If the Dimension 4100 package doesn't work out, can I LEGALLY transfer this OS from one computer to another?

Thanks.

 

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