Dual booting XP and Vista

[fellfrosch]

Can I partition my HD to two partitions, Install my copy of winXP pro on both
(its only on one comouter so that shouldnt violate anything) and then upgrade
one of them to vista using an upgrade disk? Will both windows work fine?

 

[Mick Murphy]

The licence is for ONE installation.
The answer is: NO.

 

[Mickey Mouse]

Interesting question and even more an interesting Answer from Mick.
Actually, the license is for one computer. That is, two computers will not
be running the same equipment.
Mick, if it's on the same computer then the Microsoft verification should
pass shouldn't it?
Because the equipment serial numbers that Microsoft check eg, harddrive, rom
and what ever else should be the same. Personally, I don't know if you can
install Windows XP on both harddrives but given the above I would think it
would be legitament. I'd appreciate your thoughts on my comments.

Also, "fellfrosch" Why not just upgrade to Vista say on C: drive and then
post again asking if you can now install XP on your D: drive?
Once again, I don't know if you can do that.

Regards Mickey

 

[Rick Rogers]

The license is for a single installation to a device, not multiple. It does
not matter whether or not the installations can be used simultaneously.

When the upgrade license is used, the license for the installation being
upgraded is subsumed and becomes part of the upgrade. You can no longer use
the upgraded license for a different installation.

From a licensing standpoint, what OP proposes is not in keeping with the
terms of the agreement. This does not mean it won't work.

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP

Windows help - www.rickrogers.org
My thoughts http://rick-mvp.blogspot.com

 

[Bruce Chambers]

Can I partition my HD to two partitions, Install my copy of winXP pro on both
(its only on one comouter so that shouldnt violate anything)....

Technically, the EULA specifies that you may install and run a
*single* copy on a single computer. Can't say as I like it, but that's
the wording. From one point of view, however, there's some ambiguity.
After all, the conjunction "and" is used, and while multiple
installations are possible on a single computer , it's obviously only
possible to run one installation at a time, if one excludes virtual
machines from the "equation."

To further complicate the issue, Microsoft often advices the
violation of this particular clause as a supported troubleshooting tool
for some problems. It's called a parallel installation. Granted, it's
plainly intended as a temporary measure, but it does help cloud the issue.

... and then upgrade
one of them to vista using an upgrade disk?

Not legitimately. If you use an Upgrade version of Vista, the license
for the earlier, qualifying OS (WinXP) will be subsumed (become an
integral part of) by the Vista Upgrade license. This means that
qualifying license cannot subsequently be used anywhere else (until the
Vista Upgrade is un-installed), even on the same machine.

Will both windows work fine?

Probably. It all boils down to your personal level of integrity. If
your given word and/or signature on a contract are of any value to you,
you won't do this. If, however, you lack integrity, you can probably
get away with it; Just don't expect anyone who knows about it to ever
trust you, again.


--

Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:


http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx/kb/555375

They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary
safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. ~Benjamin Franklin

Many people would rather die than think; in fact, most do. ~Bertrand Russell

The philosopher has never killed any priests, whereas the priest has
killed a great many philosophers.
~ Denis Diderot

 

[John Barnett MVP]

The EULA say's No because you can only use a single copy of the software on
one machine. However, having said that, it has been done before. But now we
get onto the issue of upgrading the 'second' installation. When you upgrade
to Vista your XP licence key becomes part and parcel of Vista, therefore you
loose the use of that key ( I believe you can't even use the XP key again if
downgraded to XP at a later date.) Either way your Vista copy (which you
upgraded to from XP) would be legal, while the XP copy you initially
installed would not.

--

--
John Barnett MVP
Associate Expert
Windows Desktop Experience

Web: http://xphelpandsupport.mvps.org
Web: http://vistasupport.mvps.org

The information in this mail/post is supplied "as is". No warranty of any
kind, either expressed or implied, is made in relation to the accuracy,
reliability or content of this mail/post. The Author shall not be liable for
any direct, indirect, incidental or consequential damages arising out of the
use of, or inability to use, information or opinions expressed in this
mail/post..

 

[bluefin]

Q: Can I partition my HD to two partitions,
A: Yes

Q: ...Install my copy of winXP pro on both
A: Yes

Q: ...(its only on one comouter so that shouldnt violate anything)
A: One operating system one license

Q: and then upgrade one of them to vista using an upgrade disk?
A: Acquire another license

Q: Will both windows work fine?
A: Only one of them work properly.

 

[Mick Murphy]

What I said is correct; 1(one) installation.

 

[fellfrosch]

that really bites... Cause i was just considering getting an OEM copy till i
read that if i changed the motherboard it would no longer work. I plan on
upgrading my Mobo within the next 1-2 years as well as my vid card, cpu, Ram,
and probably change my 2 500Gb SATA drives to 2-4 1Tb Drives (in other words
almost build a new system, minus the case, one HD, and the power supply). My
current parts would then go into a linux based unit I've been wanting to
build for my living room...
Before anyone says to just buy it again when i upgrade my system, it took me
years to save up to get this computer built... and I just got married so
there went a lot more money... and now I've got to save up to build my new
system and I don't want to add more cost to it.. it'd make me have to settle
for cheaper parts which i don't want to do. I've done that too much as it is
throughout my life...

 

[Colin Barnhorst]

that really bites... Cause i was just considering getting an OEM copy till
i
read that if i changed the motherboard it would no longer work. I plan on
upgrading my Mobo within the next 1-2 years as well as my vid card, cpu,
Ram,
and probably change my 2 500Gb SATA drives to 2-4 1Tb Drives (in other
words
almost build a new system, minus the case, one HD, and the power supply).
My
current parts would then go into a linux based unit I've been wanting to
build for my living room...
Before anyone says to just buy it again when i upgrade my system, it took
me
years to save up to get this computer built... and I just got married so
there went a lot more money... and now I've got to save up to build my new
system and I don't want to add more cost to it.. it'd make me have to
settle
for cheaper parts which i don't want to do. I've done that too much as it
is
throughout my life...

The problem is that the Vista EULA specifies that you can only install the
one copy of the software. It also specifies that you must assign a license
to a device (each partition is a separate device) before installing there.
In order to install your XP to the second partition you would have to assign
(transfer) its license there. But if you do that the first partition
becomes unlicensed and the XP there would be the one installed on an
unlicensed device.

That is not to say that you cannot perform a parallel installation using an
upgrade product key and still be able to use the first OS (XP in your case).
You can, but you have to have a third Windows license to do it.

Do you have a copy of Windows sitting on a shelf that is not being used on
any computer anymore? It needs to be Windows 2000 or later.

 

[fellfrosch]

the only one i have that is extra anymore is one my old school gave me. Says
Windows XP Professional x64 Edition - May 2005 SERVERS. Used to have another
reg copy of XP but a co-worker "borrowed" it out of my backpack while i
wasn't looking and then moved just after i found out.
I don't know if the x64 edition works at all. i have never tried to install
it so i don't even know if it's a valid copy (it does have the key on the
back of the envelope).
Would Vista 32 bit Upgrade install over a 64 bit XP?