XP on two PCs?

[Guest]

(I stupidly put this on the Media Centre forum, so apologies if you've
already seen it!)

I've got a copy of XP (SP1) on disc for my computer (legal verson, yes!)
which works fine, no probs, etc. I have the Key for it and everything.

However, I've bought another computer (which I may sell, I might network it
to my old one, I don't know yet), which I want to upgrade to XP. I don't
really want to buy another disc, funds are short.

My question is, if I use my original disc in my second computer, will I have
any problems when it comes to downloading Windows Updates on either machine?
Will this cause problems with the Key? Will this make my copy of XP useless
or illegal? Should I not even consider doing this?

Grateful as always, friends.

 

[Peter]

Unless you purchased additional licenses then yes you will. You can only
install XP on one machine.

 

[Carey Frisch [MVP]]

You cannot install Windows XP, using the same
Product Key, on a 2nd PC It violates the End-User License
Agreement and it will not activate on the 2nd PC.

Please read your End-User License Agreement by going
to Start > Run and type: WINVER , and hit enter. Then
click on "End-User License Agreement".

You'll need to purchase a new Windows XP CD
and Product Key if you wish to install on a 2nd PC.

--
Carey Frisch
Microsoft MVP
Windows Shell/User

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

| (I stupidly put this on the Media Centre forum, so apologies if you've
| already seen it!)
|
| I've got a copy of XP (SP1) on disc for my computer (legal verson, yes!)
| which works fine, no probs, etc. I have the Key for it and everything.
|
| However, I've bought another computer (which I may sell, I might network it
| to my old one, I don't know yet), which I want to upgrade to XP. I don't
| really want to buy another disc, funds are short.
|
| My question is, if I use my original disc in my second computer, will I have
| any problems when it comes to downloading Windows Updates on either machine?
| Will this cause problems with the Key? Will this make my copy of XP useless
| or illegal? Should I not even consider doing this?
|
| Grateful as always, friends.
|
| --
| Planet Bosh

 

[Guest]

Yes, your issue will become apparent when you try to activate it. And to top
it off, it's illegal and unethical unless you have a valid license for each
machine.

 

[Gordon]

Unless you purchased additional licenses then yes you will. You can
only install XP on one machine.

Not quite correct. You can (or should be able to - but I have direct
evidence to the contrary) only *activate* one copy of XP on one machine.

 

[Gordon]

and it will not activate on the 2nd PC.

Oh yes it will. Over the internet as well. within 5 days of each other. I've
*done* it personally.

 

[Gordon]

Yes, your issue will become apparent when you try to activate it.

Hmmm. I installed the same copy of XP on two different machines using the
same key and they both activated over the internet within *5* days of each
other.....I'm not saying the Op should do that (I had a specific reason for
doing it) but WPA is /definitely/ flakey......

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

I've got a copy of XP (SP1) on disc for my computer (legal verson,
yes!) which works fine, no probs, etc. I have the Key for it and
everything.

However, I've bought another computer (which I may sell, I might
network it to my old one, I don't know yet), which I want to upgrade
to XP. I don't really want to buy another disc, funds are short.

My question is, if I use my original disc in my second computer, will
I have any problems when it comes to downloading Windows Updates on
either machine? Will this cause problems with the Key? Will this make
my copy of XP useless or illegal? Should I not even consider doing
this?

The rule is quite clear. It's one copy (or one license) for each computer.

There's nothing new here. This is exactly the same rule that's been in
effect on every version of Windows starting with Windows 3.1. The only thing
new with XP is that there's now an enforcement mechanism.

If yours is a retail version, not an OEM one, you can buy extra licenses
(see http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/pro/howtobuy/addlic.asp). But it's
not generally a good deal. The problem is that Microsoft sells additional
licenses at only a small savings over the list price. You're almost
certainly better off just buying a complete second copy from a discount
source.

 

[Guest]

Your "personal" experience is irrelevent.
Windows XP is licensed for one (1), and
only one (1) computer.

 

[Guest]

Thanks very much people. Given what you've all said, I don't think I'll take
the risk. But thanks for the assist.

 

[Gordon]

Your "personal" experience is irrelevent.

But YOU, Carey SPECIFCALLY said "the second copy won't activate".
I am telling you that it WILL.

 

[capitan]

Hmmm. I installed the same copy of XP on two different machines using the
same key and they both activated over the internet within *5* days of each
other.....I'm not saying the Op should do that (I had a specific reason for
doing it) but WPA is /definitely/ flakey......

Gordon is right, product activation is a crap shoot at best. I have had
similar results as Gordon.

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

Thanks very much people. Given what you've all said, I don't think
I'll take the risk. But thanks for the assist.

You're welcome. Glad to help.

--
Ken Blake - Microsoft MVP Windows: Shell/User
Please reply to the newsgroup

 

[Bruce Chambers]

(I stupidly put this on the Media Centre forum, so apologies if you've
already seen it!)

I've got a copy of XP (SP1) on disc for my computer (legal verson, yes!)
which works fine, no probs, etc. I have the Key for it and everything.

However, I've bought another computer (which I may sell, I might network it
to my old one, I don't know yet), which I want to upgrade to XP. I don't
really want to buy another disc, funds are short.

My question is, if I use my original disc in my second computer, will I have
any problems when it comes to downloading Windows Updates on either machine?

Hard to say; you haven't provided enough information. Is your one
WinXP license a retail copy, or an OEM license? If the later, it quite
possibly won't even install, and probably cannot be activated unless you
call the activation center and lie about your reasons for needing
activation.

Will this cause problems with the Key? Will this make my copy of XP useless
or illegal?

Well, because the second installation is clearly contrary to the EULA
(and illegal in some jurisdictions), doing so would, according to said
EULA (a legal contract to which you've agreed to be bound, I might add),
you will have voided your rights to use the product.

Should I not even consider doing this?

I don't know. Have you any integrity, at all?

You need to purchase a separate WinXP license for each computer on
which you install it. (As long as you have multiple identical licenses,
it doesn't matter if you use the same CD for the installations, as long
as you use a different license each time.)

Just 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.

One can buy additional licenses, assuming one already has 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

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