Joined on 10-05-2006
TechSoup Member
I work in a church rectory where we have about 10 PCs that were donated with existing versions of Windows XP. We don't have the registration info or disks. I would like to get valid licenses.
I was told that www.microsoft.com/freshstart would give me a blanket license of Win 2000 and then I could purchase Win XP upgrades through charity licensing. BUT found out we don't qualify as we are not academic!
It looks like we qualify for Open Charity licensing but if I try to purchase Win 2000 on www.techsoup.com, it says I can't put in on a machine that already has software!? It says to purchase Win XP upgrade and downgrade to 2000!? Well, we have XP now on the machines. It seems kind of silly to downgrade to an earlier version.
What should I do? I just want us to be legan and able to get support. Thanks!
Hi,
Sound like you are qualified for Microsoft Open License Charity. Please click on this
link to find out more information.
You do not have existing operating system installed on your computers before trying to upgrade to Windows XP (Upgrade version). It will work okay if you format the whole hard drives, and then do fresh installation. The reason I am saying this is one of the user in forum had successed of doing this.
Joined on 10-05-2006
TechSoup Member
So, if I reformat the computer, I can start fresh with a new version of Win XP? Does it matter if these computers are from Dell? That may sound like a silly question but Dell is so proprietory about their goods ....
Joined on 02-18-2004
New Hampshire
mnordeen, if the Dell computers do not have the Microsoft Certificate of Authenticity, you will not be able to get the Windows XP Pro upgrades to make you legal. The upgrades that Tech Soup offer, are if you have a previous qualifying license. Putting a copy of Windows 2000 and then the XP upgrade would make you legal.
If the Dells have the sticker saying windows xp professional is that not all you need? Does the sticker not make the software legal? Often that is all you get with a new computer.
Joined on 02-18-2004
New Hampshire
Yes, that sticker called the Certificate of Authenticity makes it legal. What I was trying to point out is that if there is no COA, that they can not purchase copies of XP from Tech Soup and be legal as Crew had stated. In response to Mnordeen's other question, yes, you should be all set putting a fresh copy of XP on your computer, I've stripped a few of our Dells that had Windows 2000 OEM version and had no problem with drivers.
Joined on 10-05-2006
TechSoup Member
I realize that I need and underlying license in order to get Windows XP upgrades. BUT if you try to purchase Windows 2000 from this web site, it says the following:
"If your computers already have a Windows operating system installed, you should order Windows XP Upgrade License, which can be downgraded to Windows 2000 Professional. "
All I really want to do, it purchase a Windows 2000 license and then purchase the XP upgrade. But according to what is says under the Windows 2000 description on www.techsoup.com, I can't do that. It just doesn't seem right. What if I want XP? Purchase XP upgrade, downgrade to 2000 and then apply another upgrade?
Joined on 02-18-2004
New Hampshire
Do you have a sticker on the side of your computer that has a Certificate of Authenticity?
Joined on 10-05-2006
TechSoup Member
I DO have a certificate on authenticity on the side of the machine. It says Windows 2000 on it. Does that mean a valid product key for Windows 2000?
Joined on 02-18-2004
New Hampshire
Yes, that is a license for Windows 2000. That would mean that you would be legal to buy the XP Pro from Tech Soup (if you organization qualifies.)
Joined on 10-29-2006
TechSoup Member
"If your computers already have a Windows operating system installed, you should order Windows XP Upgrade License, which can be downgraded to Windows 2000 Professional."
If you own Windows XP Pro, Microsoft's licensing terms allow you to run any prior workstation version of Windows. I think what the quote above means is that if you really want to run Windows 2000 (for instance, if your computers are too slow to run WinXP), then you should purchase the WinXP license which will not only cover your Win2000 installations, but will also allow you to upgrade to WinXP eventually without additional cost.
mnordeen,
Churches don't qualify for TechSoup programs. You will have to go through a Charity Open License reseller like ccbnonprofits, CDW and a bunch more. I think an XP license is about $75 dollars.