Newbie: Dual boot PC, how many XP licenses?

[KR]

I am almost ready to upgrade from my old Win98 machine(s), but before I do,
your answer to the following question may affect what I purchase:

I do some basic MS Office programming stuff and need to be able to test it
on different versions of windows and/or office installations. I currently
can do this on separate PCs, but they are all old. I'd rather do
"everything" on one PC, either using a multiple-OS boot option (Bootmagic,
etc), or possibly other software that does this dynamically in RAM and
allows the user to switch between multiple active OS's (although I'm worried
about the processor overhead with the software solution). So here's my
question:

If I only have _one_ PC, am I allowed (per WinXP license agreement and just
generally how the software works) to install it on two separate booting
segments of the same PC? Obviously, only one can be used at a time, but then
(for example) I could buy Office XP and install it on one WinXP, and install
my old Office2K on the other WinXP (and hopefully transfer my retail Win98SE
to another partition with my retail Office97, etc). I'm not sure how the
whole WinXP registration thing works, and I want to stay legal, so I wanted
to ask the question first. If I do end up putting it all on one PC I'll
spend more and get a faster PC to handle it all, if I can't do that, I'll go
with a cheaper PC because I'll probably have to buy two (yuck).

I appreciate your reply,
Keith

 

[Carey Frisch [MVP]]

You'll need to purchase a new license for a second installation
even though its installed on the same computer.

Please take a moment to read the Windows XP EULA.

Go to Start > Run and type: WINVER , and hit enter.
Click on "End-User License Agreement".

How to Order Additional Licenses for Windows XP Home Edition
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/home/howtobuy/addlic.mspx

How to Order Additional Licenses for Windows XP Professional
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/pro/howtobuy/addlic.mspx

Microsoft Office End-User License Agreement FAQ
http://www.cpearson.com/excel/EULAFAQ.htm

--
Carey Frisch
Microsoft MVP
Windows XP - Shell/User

Be Smart! Protect Your PC!
http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/protect/default.aspx

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

:

| I am almost ready to upgrade from my old Win98 machine(s), but before I do,
| your answer to the following question may affect what I purchase:
|
| I do some basic MS Office programming stuff and need to be able to test it
| on different versions of windows and/or office installations. I currently
| can do this on separate PCs, but they are all old. I'd rather do
| "everything" on one PC, either using a multiple-OS boot option (Bootmagic,
| etc), or possibly other software that does this dynamically in RAM and
| allows the user to switch between multiple active OS's (although I'm worried
| about the processor overhead with the software solution). So here's my
| question:
|
| If I only have _one_ PC, am I allowed (per WinXP license agreement and just
| generally how the software works) to install it on two separate booting
| segments of the same PC? Obviously, only one can be used at a time, but then
| (for example) I could buy Office XP and install it on one WinXP, and install
| my old Office2K on the other WinXP (and hopefully transfer my retail Win98SE
| to another partition with my retail Office97, etc). I'm not sure how the
| whole WinXP registration thing works, and I want to stay legal, so I wanted
| to ask the question first. If I do end up putting it all on one PC I'll
| spend more and get a faster PC to handle it all, if I can't do that, I'll go
| with a cheaper PC because I'll probably have to buy two (yuck).
|
| I appreciate your reply,
| Keith
|
| --
| The enclosed questions or comments are entirely mine and don't represent the
| thoughts, views, or policy of my employer. Any errors or omissions are my
| own.

 

[KR]

Thanks, that was what I was afraid of.
Can't read the EULA because I haven't bought the PC yet