I had an IBM Thinkpad that broke and apparently the cost of fixing it is prohibitive so I am just going to let it go. But what about the license of the "pre-loaded" XP Pro that I had paid for ? Now I realize they did not give me any "installable" copy of the OS so I can't really install it anywhere I want, which I think has something to do with the way the whole license thing works with XP and newer OS, but the fact remains that I have purchased that license! No, I did not create a "recovery" disk either. So is there any way to get my legal copy of the OS ? Another option is that fortunately the harddisk is still working. Its a SATA. So I could recover my data but obviously not the OS. I could simply connect it to another laptop or desktop but I am sure it will have problems because all the devices/configuration is different. Maybe I could try booting it in safe mode and remove/add devices as I go or Maybe IBM has a hardcoded lock that the OS will work only on PC's with that particular serial# or something, which case all hope is lost. What should I do ? Is it a complete loss and should I just forget about it ? Or is there any hope ? I'd appreciate any help or comments anyone can offer. Thanks!

I hate to be the bearer of the bad news but M$ stated that the preloaded OS & its COA dies with the PC. It's non-transferable. ..but the fact remains that I have purchased that license! that's not how M$ army of lawyers see it. The license only entitle you to use the OS, not own it. You need to read the EULA again or better yet hire intellectual property lawyer to translate it for you. i_Xp/VistaUser

If it was a generic machine and you had a microsoft CD and license it would be a different story. If you buy an OEM machine, that's one of the MS benefits (there are more) you give up for getting it at a big savings on the operating System.

That is why DEll, emachines, etc., can sell thier computers so cheap. I am guessing they pay only a fraction of what you have to spend to get a WinXP license.

Bummer. I guess I will just re-use the harddisk then. Thanks for all your replies.

Use SIW: http://www.gtopala.com/ and get the product number. Maybe by slaving the HD to another PC you can get the product license. If you know anyone else that has an XP Pro, try that disc and insert your product number...it should work...like you said..you paid for it. Some HELP in posting on Cnet plus free progs and instructions Glad to Help!

Transplanting the HDD, despite not being as easy as it is seems, is still tantamount to breaching the almighty EULA agreement. Although, what you do behind close doors is your business ;-) I know it is hard to remain politically correct while explaining M$' licensing details without coming off as a Redmond gestapo, but what you plan to do is classified as casual piracy.