Windows Licensing on a pre-built machine?

[Technoid]

Have them order the restore disks now. They should be able to do it by serial number. Otherwise, yes, they're not legally entitled to use a non-OEM copy of Windows.

Even if they buy a new full version?

What Wombat means is that they only have a OEM licence (wich only gives them the right to install an OEM windows on THAT machine).

If they buy a boxed (standalone) windows licence they can ofcourse install it on their machine even if it has an OEM licence (it gives them the right to install it on one computer of their choice)

[Fat Tone]

Some may remember that Dell Dimension that came across my path a short while ago, that I was convinced was stolen: it was only 6 months old, no disks, COA ripped off machine, inconsistent story about origins.

It had a lot of virus damage. I was able to repair enough to get in to windows, but it really needed reimaging. The Restore partition wouldn't work (I think because someone else had attempted an OS install) and they couldn't come up with the disks, so it went back partially fixed and I refused to accept anything for my time. Hopefully I won't hear from them again (friend of a friend of a friend).

[Kooldino]

ok, here what you do!
first see if you can make a dell xp cd from your installed software.

http://support.dell.com/support/topics/global.aspx/support/kb/en/document?dn=1091713

if the pc was made post july 2004 then it will have a dell restore partition. to use the restore you'll have to use ctrl+f11 at startup.
http://support.dell.com/support/topi...en&s=dhs&cs=19

Nice, thanks!