Any Experience With WINXP-PRO TABLET PC OEM OS?

Vanity ^ | 4/8/2008 | papasmurf

[papasmurf]

I have a Tablet PC. A Toshiba R15-S829. I bought it new, and it, and all software on it, is legal. Tablet PC's come with a recovery CD, not an unlocked or unbranded version of the O/S.

I would like to have an unbranded version of the WinXP/Tablet PC O/S. Historically, Microsoft only sold these to system builders. Now they are selling them to online retailers, also.

I have found it for sale on four different retail websites, and marketed as either..."WIN XP PRO TABLET SP2B" or "Microsoft Windows XP Tablet PC 2005 W/SP2B".

In the Product info sections, it does say that they are "1-Pack; Package: OEM", and includes Mfr Part Number: K46-00176. They come wrapped, and with the COA.

I have called all four resellers and asked about legality and ability to activate and receive updates, and patches. I'm told by all that they are legal, and they are not violating any agreement with Microsoft, that they have no sales restrictions placed on them at all.

It was explained to me by one reseller that since all versions of Vista include Tablet PC functionality, the WinXP version is now obsolete, and this is why MS has let them out to be sold.

Still wary, I called Redmond to ask them. I was told that while the resellers are not doing anything illegal, they are "misunderstanding" their sales agreements. He also told me that I *should* be able to activate, but was unsure as to whether or not the new WGA (GenuineCheck) would allow updates and patches.

So, my question is, does anyone here have any experience with this type of situation and/or have a reasoned opinion and can offer advice.

I almost bought a pirated unbranded version for $40.00 just to test it, but had second thoughts, and didn't.

Thanks

papa

[papasmurf]

Shadow, would you ping your list for me? Thanks

[JerseyHighlander]

Usually the value added retailers will sell you a trivially inexpensive piece of hardware to go along with an OEM copy of Windows XP, making it a system builders combo sale for the OS, and legal under their Microsoft contract. Typically a cable that connects a cd-rom drive to an audio card, costs about $0.06

It’s being sold on Newegg.com for $159.99 without the piece of hardware, so I’d expect any sale of the K46-00176 to be legit from any reputable online dealer.

[rabscuttle385]

You should be able to purchase an OEM license and installation media for the Tablet PC edition of Windows XP, however, please note that it must be purchased with non-peripheral hardware (which it is tied to, for the life of the hardware). Other more knowledgeable FReepers correct me if I am wrong, but Microsoft OEM software sales rules were changed some time ago to require that OEM Windows licenses must be sold with an entire PC system. (OEM Office suite licenses were already subject to that requirement.)

Just use the recovery disc. Alternatively, clean up and configure your system as you wish, and then use a program like Norton Ghost to "ghost" the hard drive and create your own custom recovery disc.

[papasmurf]

I’ve always thought that OEM OS had to go with hardware, also, but neither MS or the resellers say this is required. I’ve bought OEM OS’ before without any issues at all. Either way, it wouldn’t bother me to buy something to go with it.

I need to have an unbranded version because I want to install it in a VM. The recovery CD needs access to the BIOS to check and see if it’s being installed on the machine it was sold for. I’ve been running it in a “raw” partition, but that has it’s down side, too.

[rabscuttle385]

Read this article containing Windows XP OEM licensing. All Windows operating systems must be accompanied by a fully assembled PC system and are tied to that PC system only.

That said, if your new Toshiba is already licensed for OEM Windows XP Tablet PC Edition (this edition is ONLY available through OEM channels), then all you are doing is obtaining the media to do a clean install in a VM (sans restore disc) on the already licensed system. IANAL, but you are probably exercising your fair use rights and should be okay.

[papasmurf]

Thank you. This does provide a bit of clarity, even if it does seem ambiguous on the surface.

New OEM restrictions initially affecting the top 20 Direct multinational OEM's. As of February 28th 2005, all COA keys affixed to the computer case will have internet activation disabled. A mandatory phone call will be prompted to receive an override key after answering a series of questions which manually verify them as legitimate. >>More See 59 and 60>>> and More

This does not affect unbranded OEM versions purchased with authorized hardware through legitimate vendors. Branded OEM versions [I.E. Dell, HP, Gateway, etc..] purchased from eBay and other similar vendors will be affected and may lose the ability to activate the questionable copies.

In the author's opinion...
As I see it, the purchaser of a generic OEM XP version of XP becomes the system builder and can determine what hardware upgrade becomes a system that the OEM is the sole support by the OEM. This pretty much leaves it open to the OEM system builder. As the OEM system builder they can define what hardware was upgraded in compliance with the OEM EULA when prompted for activation.

This would also seem to satisfy Microsoft's requirement that the OEM assumes all support of the OS for the reduced price of the OEM license. I am sure that generic OEM versions are still priced higher than the big system builders pay for each OEM license.

It would appear that I should be able to do this without violating the EULA.

Thanks again

[rabscuttle385]

It would appear that I should be able to do this without violating the EULA.

You should be able to do so. Your notebook is already licensed for OEM XP Tablet PC Edition through Toshiba. All you are doing is obtaining the media to do a clean install on that machine.