hello, newbie here need some help

[hojusaram]

hello, I have one Windows XP OEM Software which clearly states on
Authenticity certificate 1-2 CPU's so I have it installed on my Desktop
and recently \i purchased a secondhand laptop and I have installed the
same Xp on it, however when I get to the activation code I was asked to
call Microsoft (and here in Korea you can just imagine the
communication problems with that.) So I did and the women would not
accept the fact that you could have one Windows XP licenced for 2 cpu's
and would not give me an activation code.
So now I dont know what to do about it. I mean to buy another windows
xp cd is just plain rediculous. Can anyone tell me what to do about
it. It has 23 days left before deactivation.
Please help!

 

[Guest]

I'm pretty sure that that the 1-2 CPU's bit means that the pc you install it
on can be a single or dual processor - it's not a license to use the software

 

[Guest]

You can only install it on one computer, but MS offers a "Family Discount" if
you wish to install it on muiltiple compoters:
http://news.com.com/Microsoft+offers+Windows+XP+discount/2100-1001_3-273349.html
I think I'd look for a discounted version and buy a new copy.

 

[Les Herrman]

hello, I have one Windows XP OEM Software which clearly states on
Authenticity certificate 1-2 CPU's so I have it installed on my Desktop
and recently \i purchased a secondhand laptop and I have installed the
same Xp on it, however when I get to the activation code I was asked to
call Microsoft (and here in Korea you can just imagine the
communication problems with that.) So I did and the women would not
accept the fact that you could have one Windows XP licenced for 2 cpu's
and would not give me an activation code.
So now I dont know what to do about it. I mean to buy another windows
xp cd is just plain rediculous. Can anyone tell me what to do about
it. It has 23 days left before deactivation.
Please help!

1-2 CPUs means it can be installed on a computer with a single or dual
processor in it. It can not be installed on two separate computers.

Want to install it on another system then you need to buy a copy for
that system.

 

[Bob I]

The CPU is the Central Processing Unit inside the case, the Pro version
may be installed in ONE computer containing 1 or 2 CPU's. One operating
system must be purchased for each COMPUTER. You will need to buy another
copy for the laptop.

 

[smirvy]

Hmmm... I wonder what those people at the Microsoft Activation place would
do if you simply told them that your other comptuer crashed and you are
installing it on a new system because the other one can no longer be used.

The other thing is that they only save the activation info for 120 days. So
120 days after you activated your first install, you'd be able to reinstall
XP again without the need to call in (it would activate over the internet
with no problems).

~smirvy

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

hello, I have one Windows XP OEM Software which clearly states on
Authenticity certificate 1-2 CPU's so I have it installed on my
Desktop and recently \i purchased a secondhand laptop and I have
installed the same Xp on it, however when I get to the activation
code I was asked to call Microsoft (and here in Korea you can just
imagine the communication problems with that.) So I did and the women
would not accept the fact that you could have one Windows XP licenced
for 2 cpu's and would not give me an activation code.

She is correct. The license for Windows XP, as with all previous versions of
Windows since 3.1, permits installation only on a single computer.

Do not mix up the term "CPU" with "computer." A CPU is not a computer."CPU"
stands for "Central Processing Unit," and is a chip inside your computer.
Some computers have two of these chips, for improved performance.

The statement that XP Professional supports 1-2 CPUs is a technical
statement, not a licensing one. XP Professional (but not XP Home) can make
use of a second CPU in a computer.

So now I dont know what to do about it. I mean to buy another windows
xp cd is just plain rediculous. Can anyone tell me what to do about
it. It has 23 days left before deactivation.

You may think it's ridulous, but that's the rule. Like you, I wish Microsoft
would permit a second installation in a non-business setting, but they
don't. But they, not you or I, get to set the rules for what they offer us.
Our choice is to buy their product if we can accept their rules, or not if
we can't.

What can you do about it? Either buy another copy of Windows XP, or use some
other operating system on the laptop, for example, Windows 98, Me, or Linux.

 

[Bob I]

Lie and steal?!?!? Oh my, great advice!

Hmmm... I wonder what those people at the Microsoft Activation place would
do if you simply told them that your other comptuer crashed and you are
installing it on a new system because the other one can no longer be used.

The other thing is that they only save the activation info for 120 days. So
120 days after you activated your first install, you'd be able to reinstall
XP again without the need to call in (it would activate over the internet
with no problems).

~smirvy

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

Hmmm... I wonder what those people at the Microsoft Activation place
would do if you simply told them that your other comptuer crashed and
you are installing it on a new system because the other one can no
longer be used.

They would still refuse the activataion, since it's an OEM version and an
OEM can never be transferred to another computer, even if the first one
dies.

 

[Guest]

OEM versions are locked to the motheboard bios. it therefore can't work on
any other computer. there is no activation code that will over ride this
license restriction!!

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

OEM versions are locked to the motheboard bios.

No, that's true of *some* OEM versions, but certainly not all.

 

[Guest]

Okay.

"MFG" OEM versions are locked to bios.
not "Retail" OEM!

 

[Guest]

I always wonder at these blanket OEM pronouncements.
My OEM (Retail) XP home is on it's third motherboard with nary a hiccup from
Microsoft.

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

Okay.

"MFG" OEM versions are locked to bios.
not "Retail" OEM!

Well, that's closer to the truth, but it's still not universal. Only some
manufacturers have BIOS-locked OEM versions.

 

[Guest]

"1-2 CPU's" means you may install one (1) copy of
Windows XP Professional on one (1) computer having
1 or 2 processors. It does not mean you can install
Windows XP on two different computers using the same
Product Key.

You'll need to purchase another copy of Windows XP
for installation on your second computer.

 

[Bruce Chambers]

hello, I have one Windows XP OEM Software which clearly states on
Authenticity certificate 1-2 CPU's so I have it installed on my Desktop
and recently \i purchased a secondhand laptop and I have installed the
same Xp on it,

Why in the world would you think that "1-2 CPUs" equates to two
computers? A CPU (Central Processing Unit) is a small semi-conductor
chip that is installed into a socket on the motherboard and serves as
the computer's brains. WinXP Pro supports computers that have two CPUs
installed.

however when I get to the activation code I was asked to
call Microsoft (and here in Korea you can just imagine the
communication problems with that.) So I did and the women would not
accept the fact that you could have one Windows XP licenced for 2 cpu's
and would not give me an activation code.

The telephone representative was perfectly correct, and you need to
develop at least an elementary knowledge of computers, unless you want
to have nothing but trouble with them in the future.

So now I dont know what to do about it. I mean to buy another windows
xp cd is just plain rediculous.

How so? Simple common sense says that if you buy and pay for only
_one_ item, _one_ is all you get. Nothing could be plainer. This
principle remains the same whether you're buying a physical product, a
service, or a software license. Anyone who expects it to be otherwise
is not fully partaking of reality. Does your local grocer let you walk
out of the market with three loaves of bread when you've paid for only
one? Can you drive two cars home from the dealership if you've paid for
only one? Does your local clothier allow you to leave the shop with two
shirts if you've purchased only one? Have you noticed a trend, yet? In
the simplest of terms, you get what you pay for. If you want to install
the same OS on multiple computers, either purchase multiple licenses, a
volume license, or use an OS whose license permits multiple
installations, such as Linux.

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.

Can anyone tell me what to do about
it. It has 23 days left before deactivation.
Please help!

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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both at once. - RAH

 

[Mike Fields]

Why in the world would you think that "1-2 CPUs" equates to two
computers? A CPU (Central Processing Unit) is a small semi-conductor
chip that is installed into a socket on the motherboard and serves as
the computer's brains. WinXP Pro supports computers that have two CPUs
installed.

Maybe old enough (like me !! ) that they still remember when the
"CPU" was one big cabinet, the tape drive was another the
disk drive was another and the card reader and punch were in
still another cabinet. I remember those days ... sort of ;-)
There are still quite a few people that think of the "box" as the
CPU which connects to the printer, display and keyboard.
What the heck, I still have some 8" double sided/double
density floppy drives down stairs that WERE state of the
art !!

mikey

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

Maybe old enough (like me !! ) that they still remember when the
"CPU" was one big cabinet,

I go back to those days too (I started programming an IBM 1401 in 1962), but
I suspect that 's not the reason at all

For some reason I don't really understand, there's been a recent trend (even
with young people) to call the computer case and everything in it the "CPU."
People somehow seem to think that using a "technical" term like "CPU"
instead of a plebian one like "computer" makes them sound like they know
what they're talking about, although of course, when they use it incorrectly
like this, all it does is show their ignorance. I've also noticed that many
of the people who use "CPU" this way are also those who use "download" to
mean "install."

Given how common the use of "CPU" to mean "computer" is becoming, I think it
would be wise for Microsoft to reword the authenticity certificate so others
don't make the same mistake hojusaram did.

 

[Leythos]

I go back to those days too (I started programming an IBM 1401 in 1962), but
I suspect that 's not the reason at all

My first IBM was the Model 12, in the 70's, but that was when we still
used the large punch cards - I loved when we got the small (was it 96
column) cards - so much easier. Do you remember drawing a line down the
side of a stack so that you could easily see if the cards were out of
order (diagonal line)?

For some reason I don't really understand, there's been a recent trend (even
with young people) to call the computer case and everything in it the "CPU."
People somehow seem to think that using a "technical" term like "CPU"
instead of a plebian one like "computer" makes them sound like they know
what they're talking about, although of course, when they use it incorrectly
like this, all it does is show their ignorance. I've also noticed that many
of the people who use "CPU" this way are also those who use "download" to
mean "install."

Given how common the use of "CPU" to mean "computer" is becoming, I think it
would be wise for Microsoft to reword the authenticity certificate so others
don't make the same mistake hojusaram did.

I see the same thing - and there is another one: "I can't get to the
Internet", except they are on Google or MSN or some other website, but
they can't get to a SPECIFIC site, so they can't get to the Internet.

So few people understand that the Internet is not the web....

I had a customer call me the other day and tell me "My computer is
missing, I can't see anything on the screen"... First thought was
power/brightness... then it turns out that she was connected to the
Terminal Server, still said she could not see anything, then she could
see the icons, but that still wasn't anything, oh, she could see the
start bar, but that wasn't anything... Turns out she had minimized a
document and could not see it (duh). Sometimes it's hard to work with
people like that.

 

[Mike Fields]

My first IBM was the Model 12, in the 70's, but that was when we still
used the large punch cards - I loved when we got the small (was it 96
column) cards - so much easier. Do you remember drawing a line down the
side of a stack so that you could easily see if the cards were out of
order (diagonal line)?

Yep, people today don't have a clue the sense of panic and
terror that happens when you drop a stack of punch cards
(or the card reader "eats" your cards). I think that the
"naming convention" is the majority of the problem we are
seeing with using GPS on airplanes -- FAA says it is OK
but up to the individual carriers. Some allow it, others
(Alaska for one) don't allow it. Many people have heard
comments to the effect that "my GPS is talking to the satellites"
when in reality it is only listening to them - end result is they
are banned because they are "transmitting" (not).

mikey