License

[newbee]

I have XP Home on one PC at home and ME on another. They
are non business PC's for personal and school use. Can I
install my current XP on the ME pc or must I purchase
another copy or license? What options do I have

 

[Alias]

I have XP Home on one PC at home and ME on another. They
are non business PC's for personal and school use. Can I
install my current XP on the ME pc or must I purchase
another copy or license? What options do I have

You need to buy a new one. The old one can only be installed on one computer
at a time. Buy an unattached OEM; they're cheaper but you have to do a clean
install as they won't update your Me.

Ignore the tie-in-to-hardware comments. They are misinformed.

Alias

 

[Bruce Chambers]

Greetings --

Just as it says, right on the box, you'll need to purchase a
separate WinXP license for each computer on which you install it.

As it has *always* been with *all* Microsoft operating systems,
it's necessary (to be in compliance with both the EULA and U.S.
copyright law http://www4.law.cornell.edu/uscode/17/117.html), if not
technically) to purchase one WinXP license for each computer on which
it is installed. (Consult an attorney versed in copyright law to
determine final applicability in your locale.) The only way in which
WinXP licensing differs from that of earlier versions of Windows is
that Microsoft has finally added a copy protection and anti-theft
mechanism, Product Activation, to prevent (or at least make more
difficult) multiple installations using a single license.

You can buy additional licenses, assuming you have a retail
license. Naturally, Microsoft cannot sell additional OEM licenses. Be
aware, however, that you'll probably pay more this way than you would
if you were to buy a second copy of WinXP from a discount retailer;
Microsoft will only offer you a 15% discount off their MSRP.

Additional Licenses for Windows XP Home Edition
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/home/howtobuy/addlic.asp

Additional Licenses for Windows XP Professional
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/pro/howtobuy/addlic.asp


Bruce Chambers
--
Help us help you:



You can have peace. Or you can have freedom. Don't ever count on
having both at once. - RAH

 

[Bruce Chambers]

Greetings --

That's a severe case of denial you've got there. You might want to
talk to someone about that. You've been proven wrong; learn to deal
with it and move on.


Bruce Chambers
--
Help us help you:



You can have peace. Or you can have freedom. Don't ever count on
having both at once. - RAH

 

[Alex Nichol]

You need to buy a new one. The old one can only be installed on one computer
at a time. Buy an unattached OEM; they're cheaper but you have to do a clean
install as they won't update your Me.

Also bear in mind that it would be licensed solely to the machine where
first installed, and not be transferable to a later one. That might not
matter to some; but if it is to be used for a machine already running ME
and which therefore may only have a couple of years life left, it is a
point to be aware of

 

[Alias]

Also bear in mind that it would be licensed solely to the machine where
first installed, and not be transferable to a later one. That might not
matter to some; but if it is to be used for a machine already running ME
and which therefore may only have a couple of years life left, it is a
point to be aware of

Unless, of course, the computer was upgraded with a new motherboard,
processor and hard drive. Then a phone call would be in order. In fact, you
could conceivably change *all* the hardware one piece at a time and it would
still be the "same computer". Not to mention the fact that the 120 days
would be up long before "a couple of years".

If MS wanted to define "one computer", they should make MACs.

Alias

 

[Alias]

That's a severe case of denial you've got there. You might want to
talk to someone about that. You've been proven wrong; learn to deal
with it and move on.


Bruce Chambers

Have you made the phone calls yet?

Perhaps MS has become aware of the fact that not everyone buys an HP or Dell
and that computers, nowadays, to keep up with bloated software, need to be
faster and faster and need to be upgraded. Upgrading your computer does not
mean going out and buying a new Dell. It can be done little by little as
you well, or should well, know. To me, if I upgrade this computer I am
typing on, I should be able to and MS allows it. What they don't want is
people buying one CD and putting it on all five of their computers, their
friends' computers, co-workers, etc. The so called, "soft piracy" because no
money is made off of it and it's socially acceptable.

Alias

P.S. Apply your holier than thou patronizing guidance to yourself. No need
for ad hominem attacks.

 

[Alex Nichol]

Unless, of course, the computer was upgraded with a new motherboard,
processor and hard drive. Then a phone call would be in order. In fact, you
could conceivably change *all* the hardware one piece at a time and it would
still be the "same computer". Not to mention the fact that the 120 days
would be up long before "a couple of years".

Where such a change turns into a 'different computer' is a grey area
that needs to be defined. My suspicion is that if it went outside the
range the activation check at boot accepts, *and* involved a different
motherboard, that would fall outside the range. But this whole area
around OEM copies needs tidying up - I think myself it would be better
all round if it ceased to exist. Then there would be true OEM
installations, installed on the machine at original purchase, and only
lasting the life of that machine (As accepted by the maker) - and
retail copies.

 

[Alias]

Where such a change turns into a 'different computer' is a grey area
that needs to be defined. My suspicion is that if it went outside the
range the activation check at boot accepts, *and* involved a different
motherboard, that would fall outside the range. But this whole area
around OEM copies needs tidying up - I think myself it would be better
all round if it ceased to exist. Then there would be true OEM
installations, installed on the machine at original purchase, and only
lasting the life of that machine (As accepted by the maker) - and
retail copies.

The problem with that is if something goes south on the "OEM machine". It
also prevents the buyer from ever upgrading it. "One machine" is not
definable because every single piece of hardware can be replaced or
upgraded.

I agree with you, though, they should just make retail copies at an OEM
price for consumers.

Alias

 

[Greg R]

installations, installed on the machine at original purchase, and only

lasting the life of that machine (As accepted by the maker) - and
retail copies.

Now Alex,
If I understood you correctly. You want to make the retail like the
oem. I disagree with that except for the cost.

However,
I think Microsoft should make full home & full pro retail versions a
lot cheaper and do away with oems and upgrades.

For the who want support offer them an options to buy support. People
claim retail the cost more is because of paying the support people.
That why I say make support an option. The only support is and an
address where you can return if for an exchange if you disk is damaged
if you can't return it to the store for an exchange.


Greg R
http://www.angelfire.com/in4/computertips/

 

[Alex Nichol]

Now Alex,
If I understood you correctly. You want to make the retail like the
oem. I disagree with that except for the cost.

However,
I think Microsoft should make full home & full pro retail versions a
lot cheaper and do away with oems and upgrades.

No: I would have the Retail version capable of being transferred, like
the current one. And with an upgrade version at a discount. I deplore
the attitude shown by eg Roxio in bringing out new versions of their
product with no discount available for those wishing to upgrade from the
previous version. Upgrade discounts are the normal practice. And the
lower price of an OEM version supplied as part of the hardware package
is based to a large extent on that OEM absorbing support costs, which is
why they exist solely for the machine concerned. These quasi OEM CDs
fail to provide that at all and are frankly an anomaly. They came in
originally as a way to make Windows 95 OSR 2 available in a quasi retail
way when it was not being sold as an upgrade (because of the
introduction with it of FAT 32). It should have remained solely for
that special case.

How the pricing would then work out is a business decision; not for me