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    I have lenovo computer and it always had vista on it and i didnt really like so i put my win xp pro from my old comp on it and it said unauthorized key... i called in they said talk to the ppl igot the compfrom and so i did and they said talk to microsoft:(
    Tuesday, October 19, 2010 9:06 AM

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    Hello ChrisJamesRose,

    I was asking to see if the new computer came with Vista Business or Vista Ultimate.  If it did, then the OEM Software Licensing Terms (SLTs) for these two operating systems would have allowed you to downgrade the Vista Biz or Ult license to XP Pro, and you could have used the other older computer's XP installation media and product key to install and thereby implement your downgrade rights.

    Unfortunately, the Lenovo came with Vista Home Premium, and V.H.P. OEM licenses do not confer downgrade rights, so the above does not apply.

    The OEM license for the Windows XP that came with the old computer does not permit you to move that license to any other computer, so that's why you will not be able to activate it on the new Lenovo computer.

    If you want to run XP on the new Lenovo computer, you have to purchase a separate license for XP to install and activate, as you are not permitted to put the old computer's XP license onto your new Lenovo computer.  Please be careful about what you buy as there is plenty of counterfeit copies of XP for sale on such sites as eBay and Amazon Marketplace.

    Buy Office 2007 Now, Get Office 2010 Free http://office2010.microsoft.com/en-us/tech-guarantee/microsoft-office-2010-technology-guarantee-FX101825695.aspx?CTT=97
    Tuesday, October 19, 2010 2:55 PM

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    Hello ChrisJamesRose,

    Look on the bottom (or inside the battery compartment) of the Lenovo laptop for the Microsoft Certificate of Authenticity (CoA).

    What edition of Vista is listed on the CoA, Home Basic, Home Premium, Business, or Ultimate?

    Or is there some other version of Windows listed on the CoA, such as Windows XP Home or Professional?

    Buy Office 2007 Now, Get Office 2010 Free http://office2010.microsoft.com/en-us/tech-guarantee/microsoft-office-2010-technology-guarantee-FX101825695.aspx?CTT=97
    Tuesday, October 19, 2010 1:45 PM
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    on my newer computer The (CoA) say Vista homepremium but it never came with a cd and i wanted windows xp anyways so from my old computer the (CoA) says xp pro and i have the cd for it
    Tuesday, October 19, 2010 2:46 PM
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    Hello ChrisJamesRose,

    I was asking to see if the new computer came with Vista Business or Vista Ultimate.  If it did, then the OEM Software Licensing Terms (SLTs) for these two operating systems would have allowed you to downgrade the Vista Biz or Ult license to XP Pro, and you could have used the other older computer's XP installation media and product key to install and thereby implement your downgrade rights.

    Unfortunately, the Lenovo came with Vista Home Premium, and V.H.P. OEM licenses do not confer downgrade rights, so the above does not apply.

    The OEM license for the Windows XP that came with the old computer does not permit you to move that license to any other computer, so that's why you will not be able to activate it on the new Lenovo computer.

    If you want to run XP on the new Lenovo computer, you have to purchase a separate license for XP to install and activate, as you are not permitted to put the old computer's XP license onto your new Lenovo computer.  Please be careful about what you buy as there is plenty of counterfeit copies of XP for sale on such sites as eBay and Amazon Marketplace.

    Buy Office 2007 Now, Get Office 2010 Free http://office2010.microsoft.com/en-us/tech-guarantee/microsoft-office-2010-technology-guarantee-FX101825695.aspx?CTT=97
    Tuesday, October 19, 2010 2:55 PM