A few years ago we purchased a few copies of Windows XP Professional for small business use. We ended up with some unused copies, and since we have now started transitioning to Windows 7, decided to sell them. A few days ago I received a complaint from a
recent buyer that his Windows XP licensing key was blocked as a lost or stolen Volume License Key. I have contacted Microsoft customer service and confirmed that his licensing key, as well as the key for a remaining copy I was about to sell, are blocked. Unfortunately
I was not able to get any other useful information from either of the representatives to whom I spoke, so I am hoping that someone here can help resolve my confusion over the relevant licensing issues.
The purchased installation packages consisted of a blue booklet marked "For distribution only with a new PC" (like the one in this image http://static3.demotix.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/a_scale_large/1600-1/photos/1355991812-fake-microsoft-stickers-confiscated-in-surabaya_1686351.jpg
), with a COA label attached to the back, and an installation CD with the gold hologram label. I was under the impression that this was an OEM version, but on checking the remaining installation CD I discovered that Pid=55274270 in i386/setupp.ini, which apparently
indicates a Volume Licensed version. Note that I can't post MGADiag output because I haven't tried installing my copy, and the buyer of the other copy has already wiped his installation.
My questions are:
* Is a Volume Licensed version of XP Pro ever legitimately sold with an individual COA, or does the presence of a COA label on installation package containing a Volume Licensed version automatically indicate that it's counterfeit?
* Is there any situation under which it would be legitimate for a vendor to sell an installation package containing a Volume Licensed version of XP Pro?
* Is the program under which counterfeit copies of Windows XP can be submitted to Microsoft for replacement by a legitimate version still running? How can I determine whether the copy I have is counterfeit before submission? If it turns out that both copies
are counterfeit, will they both be replaced under this program?
Where did you purchase the OS copies from? In any event it sounds like you have some counterfeit copies.
* Is a Volume Licensed version of XP Pro ever legitimately sold with an individual COA, or does the presence of a COA label on installation package containing a Volume Licensed version automatically indicate that it's counterfeit?
Volume licenses are never legitimately resold at all, with or without COAs. They are not transferable.
* Is there any situation under which it would be legitimate for a vendor to sell an installation package containing a Volume Licensed version of XP Pro?
See above, no.
* Is the program under which counterfeit copies of Windows XP can be submitted to Microsoft for replacement by a legitimate version still running? How can I determine whether the copy I have is counterfeit before submission? If it turns out that both
copies are counterfeit, will they both be replaced under this program?
I am not certain about this, but seeing as how XP is going to be going End of Life in eight months, I seriously doubt that this program is still in force.
