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COA Stickers

Question
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I have an older Dell SFF that has a COA label for Windows XP Pro. What is the purpose for that label and is it now no longer any good since I am not the original purchaser? When I purchased it used, It did not have an OS installed but I had purchased XP Home for it. Just curious.Thursday, August 13, 2009 2:04 AM
Answers
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Hello wody31,
As a rule the OEM CoA affixed to the computer tells you that when sold by the OEM, the computer was permanently licensed to run the version of Windows described on the CoA. In your case this is XP Pro.
Unless a previous owner has replaced the motherboard in the computer with a non-Dell motherboard, the computer will always be licensed to run what's on the CoA.
So in your case, the best thing to have done would have been to:
1. Execute the Dell ownerhip transfer form here: http://support.dell.com/support/topics/global.aspx/support/change_order/tag_transfer?c=us&cs=19&l=en&s=dhs&~ck=anavml
2. Then, after the ownership transfer has taken place, order replacement OS reinstallation CDs here:
http://support.dell.com/support/topics/global.aspx/support/dellcare/en/backupcd_form?c=us&cs=19&l=en&s=dhs&redirect=1
That way you could have taken advantage of the fact that most likely the computer's Windows license was still valid when you bought the computer.
For great advice on all topics XP, visit http://www.annoyances.org/exec/forum/winxp- Marked as answer by Darin Smith MS Thursday, August 13, 2009 6:42 PM
Thursday, August 13, 2009 4:19 PM
All replies
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Hello wody31,
As a rule the OEM CoA affixed to the computer tells you that when sold by the OEM, the computer was permanently licensed to run the version of Windows described on the CoA. In your case this is XP Pro.
Unless a previous owner has replaced the motherboard in the computer with a non-Dell motherboard, the computer will always be licensed to run what's on the CoA.
So in your case, the best thing to have done would have been to:
1. Execute the Dell ownerhip transfer form here: http://support.dell.com/support/topics/global.aspx/support/change_order/tag_transfer?c=us&cs=19&l=en&s=dhs&~ck=anavml
2. Then, after the ownership transfer has taken place, order replacement OS reinstallation CDs here:
http://support.dell.com/support/topics/global.aspx/support/dellcare/en/backupcd_form?c=us&cs=19&l=en&s=dhs&redirect=1
That way you could have taken advantage of the fact that most likely the computer's Windows license was still valid when you bought the computer.
For great advice on all topics XP, visit http://www.annoyances.org/exec/forum/winxp- Marked as answer by Darin Smith MS Thursday, August 13, 2009 6:42 PM
Thursday, August 13, 2009 4:19 PM -
Thank you for the information. I will go ahead with the ownership transfer but will keep my OS that I have installed already. Just didn't know what the COA label really meant.Friday, August 14, 2009 1:49 AM