Gaming PC Question

dmvanmeverendmvanmeveren
in Help Wanted!
Hey best friends.



My buddy is letting me have his old PC gaming parts and letting me piece them together, but I still need an internal hard drive, optical drive, and OS. Here is the point of the forum post: Can I take the OS off of my laptop (Windows 8), install the OS on my new desktop, and reuse the license key? How in Heaven's name would I go about doing this? I just really don't want to pony up and shell out $100 for a new OS license key.



Any help would be appreciated!

Comments

  • StryphosStryphos
    Yes this "should" be possible but you would have to "de-activate" the previous installation of Windows in order for the activation servers to see it as an "unused" license.
  • ulasamosaulasamosa
    No cause your OEM 8 license is tattooed to the motherboard BIOS. There is no license key you can view. You can use a software keyfinder and pull it but it will not activate on another unit. Windows 8 is very picky with activations. I can get you a cheap Win7 Home Premium x64 key if needed.
  • SuperdudeSuperdude
    unfortunately you can't do this I wanted to do the same thing when i built my new pc but it't not possible sorry man. but it might be worth trying out a free linux os ive been curious about doing it myself from what i understand there's actually a linux program that can let you run some windows only games under linux. even if it doest work out it's free to try so why not.
  • Ozzy_98Ozzy_98
    Little late in responding, but you can, but I don't think you want to. The 5th time the key is triggered\actived, you MUST do it via the phone. However if the key is too different, (New HDD\CPU\NIC combo will always trigger it; one of the main things that generates the GUID is the mac addresses of the nic cards) you cant even use the automated prompt on the phone, you have to call in and explain that you're replacing the motherboard. I've never had them give me any trouble on that however. Here's from the current systembuilder faq:



    Can I transfer the software to another computer or user? You may transfer the software to another computer that belongs to you. You may also transfer the software (together with the license) to a computer owned by someone else if a) you are the first licensed user of the software and b) the new user agrees to the terms of this agreement. To make that transfer, you must transfer the original media, the certificate of authenticity, the product key and the proof of purchase directly to that other person, without retaining any copies of the software. You may use the backup copy we allow you to make or the media that the software came on to transfer the software. Anytime you transfer the software to a new computer, you must remove the software from the prior computer. You may not transfer the software to share licenses between computers. You may transfer Get Genuine Windows software, Pro Pack or Media Center Pack software only together with the licensed computer.



    And per the windows 8 faq:



    Q. I am not a system builder, but I am building my own PC for personal use. Can I purchase OEM System Builder software?

    A. Yes. Anyone who is building a PC for personal use with Windows 8 or Windows 8 Pro software can use the Personal Use License.



    Q. What happens if I build a PC with a Personal Use License, then later decide to sell it?

    A. You may transfer the software to another computer that belongs to you. You may also transfer the software (together with the license) to a computer owned by someone else if a) you are the first licensed user of the software and b) the new user agrees to the terms of this agreement. To make that transfer, you must transfer the original media, the certificate of authenticity, the product key and the proof of purchase directly to that other person, without retaining any copies of the software. You may use the backup copy we allow you to make or the media that the software came on to transfer the software. Anytime you transfer the software to a new computer, you must remove the software from the prior computer. You may not transfer the software to share licenses between computers. You may transfer Get Genuine Windows software, Pro Pack or Media Center Pack software only together with the licensed computer.



    So yes, you can do it. To get the key, you need Belarc advisor (Ok fine, you don't NEED it, hell, regedit will get it for you). Copy the key down, and use it. The tricky part is getting the media to install 8 though. But yea, you can transfer it from other devices, I've got a VM I made using my laptop's key. And if you're a student with a valid .edu email address, you can buy windows 8.1 for $69.99. *Also note unlike other versions of windows, 8.1 (Not sure on 8) will have a pop up saying it's already used.* So you can only do this if you're not using it on your laptop any longer. My VMware image does not have this prompt, but I have MS's IPs blackholed from that subdomain, so it can't phone home to check. And I bet your old computer is one that has the key embedded in the bios, so that may give you issue trying to change it. So this is only doable if you can get the media and wont use windows on the old PC.



    Edit: Guess I should post my credentials too.  MCP\MCSA (2000)\MCSE (2000)\MCSA:Security (2000)\MCSE: Security (2000), I was a registeed Microsoft OEM back in 2002.  When all you did was buy a 3-pack and send in your name and used the neat little XP Preinstall disks because they were too cheap to put a real RIS server in for XP home.
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