Can I load Windows XP a third time?

  • Thread starter Thread starter nickr
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nickr

I bought XP at a store to load into my Mac; I did it once and had a
problem; and then reloaded it again, using my serial number -- that
makes two times. I now have another issue and just want to erase it
rom the partition and reinstall in -- that will be number three. Can I
do this? Someone told me I can only do this twice.
 
nickr said:
I bought XP at a store to load into my Mac; I did it once and had a
problem; and then reloaded it again, using my serial number -- that
makes two times. I now have another issue and just want to erase it
rom the partition and reinstall in -- that will be number three. Can I
do this? Someone told me I can only do this twice.
Click to expand...

And what particular version of Windows XP is it? That is, is it OEM or
retail? There are no issues with uninstalling the retail version of XP
from one computer and re-installing it in another. OTOH, the OEM version
can only be legally installed in one machine, virtual or otherwise, after
which it dies with that machine; it is not transferrable.
 
you can install a quadrillian times...

the worse scenario is that it will tell you to call microsft to activate..
however it is your right to install every day if you like...
 
nickr said:
I bought XP at a store to load into my Mac; I did it once and had a
problem; and then reloaded it again, using my serial number -- that
makes two times. I now have another issue and just want to erase it
rom the partition and reinstall in -- that will be number three. Can I
do this? Someone told me I can only do this twice.
Click to expand...

Yes go can do this. It should activate an unlimited number of times on the
same hardware.

--
Paul Smith,
Yeovil, UK.
Microsoft MVP Windows Shell/User.
http://www.windowsresource.net/

*Remove nospam. to reply by e-mail*
 
Same this holds true. If it is an OEM version it dies with
the first machine it is installed on (since you have
activated it on the first machine). A retail version can be
transferred to another machine. It must be uninstalled from
the first machine first.

You may have to use telephone activation to activate it on
the second machine.]
]
 
nickr said:
What about if I want to do it on another Mac? Can I do it? How many
times?
Click to expand...


If it's a retail version it can be moved to another machine. If OEM, it's
tied by the license agreement to the first machine on which it's installed.
It can be reinstalled on that same machine as many times as you want.
 
nickr said:
I bought XP at a store to load into my Mac; I did it once and had a
problem; and then reloaded it again, using my serial number -- that
makes two times. I now have another issue and just want to erase it
rom the partition and reinstall in -- that will be number three. Can I
do this?

Certainly.


Someone told me I can only do this twice.
Click to expand...

Never, ever, ask that "somebody" for computer-related advice again.
You were lied to.

In actuality, there's no limit to the number of times you can
reinstall and activate the same WinXP license on the same PC. Nor is
there ever a charge. Nor does a Product Key (so long as it's not an
evaluation license) ever expire. If it's been more than 120 days since
you last activated that specific Product Key, you'll most likely be able
to activate via the Internet without problem. If it's been less, you
might have to make a 5 minute phone call.

Here are the facts pertaining to activation:

Piracy Basics - Microsoft Product Activation
http://www.microsoft.com/piracy/basics/activation/

Windows Product Activation (WPA)
http://www.aumha.org/a/wpa.htm


--

Bruce Chambers

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