Am I supposed to buy 2 copies of XP?

[tjustin]

I have two home computers. One I used often, the other is just for
storage and works as a spare in case my main system is being upgraded
or repaired. I have XP on one machine, and Win98 on the other. If I
install XP on the win98 machine, am I supposed to buy a second copy,
or can I legally use the same one since it's licensed to me. I know
that businesses must buy one copy for each terminal, but what about a
home computer used only by myself. Is XP licensed to "ME" or is it
only licensed to my one computer?

 

[Conor]

I have two home computers. One I used often, the other is just for
storage and works as a spare in case my main system is being upgraded
or repaired. I have XP on one machine, and Win98 on the other. If I
install XP on the win98 machine, am I supposed to buy a second copy,
or can I legally use the same one since it's licensed to me. I know
that businesses must buy one copy for each terminal, but what about a
home computer used only by myself. Is XP licensed to "ME" or is it
only licensed to my one computer?

It's licenced to the computer. Good news is that you can get them cheap
off Ebay.

 

[peter]

You are supposed to buy another copy of XP...one license per computer.
But there have been cases reported on numerous websites where one has been
able to activate the same retail copy on 2 systems providing it has been
over 120 days since the last install/activation/hardware
change..............................legal or not it does work.
peter

 

[Phisherman]

I have two home computers. One I used often, the other is just for
storage and works as a spare in case my main system is being upgraded
or repaired. I have XP on one machine, and Win98 on the other. If I
install XP on the win98 machine, am I supposed to buy a second copy,
or can I legally use the same one since it's licensed to me. I know
that businesses must buy one copy for each terminal, but what about a
home computer used only by myself. Is XP licensed to "ME" or is it
only licensed to my one computer?

Just one and only one. You can buy an OEM copy of XP (with a small
hardware purchase) for about $70. Your Win98 machine may run slow
with XP. Or you can upgrade the Win98 to Win2000 to improve
stability, disk reliability (NTFS), and upgrades are still being
released. Win2000 Pro runs fine on older machines, uses most of the
same code as XP, plus you can find a copy for as little as $20. Redhat
Fedora Core is another good option and free.

 

[DaveW]

XP will only Activate on ONE computer. One copy of XP= one computer.

 

[tjustin]

You are supposed to buy another copy of XP...one license per computer.
But there have been cases reported on numerous websites where one has been
able to activate the same retail copy on 2 systems providing it has been
over 120 days since the last install/activation/hardware
change..............................legal or not it does work.
peter

So what happens if a person builds a new computer and junks the old
one. It would not make sense to have to buy a new copy of XP, since
the old one is no longer used. OR, what if the hard drive is
transferred to a new system. That would still be the same install,
but a different set of hardware? (which I know may or may not work.
I did that once with Win98 and it worked fine, dont know how XP would
handle such a thing ?????????)

Just curious.

 

[Bill]

So what happens if a person builds a new computer and junks the old
one.

That depends on what the EULA says on the version of
WinXP that you have.

It would not make sense to have to buy a new copy of XP, since
the old one is no longer used.

It doesn't matter what makes sense to you. It only
matters as to what you agreed to when you clicked on the
" I Agree" button of the EULA when you installed Windows
XP.

OR, what if the hard drive is
transferred to a new system.

See what the EULA says.

That would still be the same install,
but a different set of hardware? (which I know may or may not work.
I did that once with Win98 and it worked fine, dont know how XP would
handle such a thing ?????????)

Read the EULA.

<snip>

Bill

 

[the_slay_er]

use the devils own version of xp..... one copy of xp = every computer you
fancy installing it on.

doesnt ask for serial number during install.

cost= free to download or buy a copy from me.

email me for more details

regards slayer

 

[peter]

I think people forget that when they purchase a copy of XP they are only
purchasing the right to use the software.......they do not own the software.
Most people never read the EULA that comes with each "lease" of the
software.This EULA actually differs from version to version of XP.If you
have purchased a System where XP was pre-installed the agreement basically
says it can only be used on this system.If you purchase a Retail OEM version
it basically says you can only use it on the 1st system you install it
on...but MS allows you to reinstall on another system if your 1st system
breaks down....If you purchase a Full or Upgrade Retail Version you can
install as often as you like on as many machines as you like....but on only
one at a time...having to remove from the previous before installing onto
the new.
How you interpret the installation to MS when you phone for reactivation
determines if they will reactivate or not.
peter

 

[Ed Cregger]

I think people forget that when they purchase a copy of XP they are only
purchasing the right to use the software.......they do not own the
software.
Most people never read the EULA that comes with each "lease" of the
software.This EULA actually differs from version to version of XP.If you
have purchased a System where XP was pre-installed the agreement basically
says it can only be used on this system.If you purchase a Retail OEM
version it basically says you can only use it on the 1st system you
install it on...but MS allows you to reinstall on another system if your
1st system breaks down....If you purchase a Full or Upgrade Retail Version
you can install as often as you like on as many machines as you
like....but on only one at a time...having to remove from the previous
before installing onto the new.
How you interpret the installation to MS when you phone for reactivation
determines if they will reactivate or not.
peter

My experience with a Full Retail version of Windows XP Pro has been that I
have installed and activated the OS on four computers without a problem.
Each has been activated and each receives updates after passing muster with
their verification program.

All of these computers did have either an OEM or older version of Windows
installed on the hard drive before my installation of XP Pro. Whether that
makes a difference, I don't know.

Being disabled and needing computers in various rooms of the house, I
generally only have one computer "on" the WiFi network at one time. This may
make a difference too.

Ed Cregger

 

[laughing_man]

I have two home computers. One I used often, the other is just for
storage and works as a spare in case my main system is being upgraded
or repaired. I have XP on one machine, and Win98 on the other. If I
install XP on the win98 machine, am I supposed to buy a second copy,
or can I legally use the same one since it's licensed to me. I know
that businesses must buy one copy for each terminal, but what about a
home computer used only by myself. Is XP licensed to "ME" or is it
only licensed to my one computer?

Interesting old thread. Not one mention of windows 2000.

Boy, you guys are too kind to clueless posters here.

Has viral marketing driven away all the old users ?

Has Microsoft brainwashed you guys completely ?