How many times can I install Win XP Pro Same Computer

  • Thread starter Thread starter Glee
  • Start date Start date
G

Glee

I like to try different setups and I tweak my computer a lot. My
question is how many times can I reinstall Win XP pro on the same
computer with all the same hardware. I have 3 hards drives and I
sometimes partition them a little different each time. This time I'm
going to install it on another harddrive in the same computer because
I'm going to try to dual boot with Win98SE. So I might play around
with it a bit and on some post I read that there is a limit of how
many times microsoft will allow you to activite on the same computer..
I've also at times flashed the BIOS and OC my cpu which I think came
up with a different number that MS uses to see if it is the same
computer.. Thanks for any info.

Glee
 
I believe that you can only re-install it three (?) times
on the same computer without having to pay for it again.
However, all three installations must be on the same
computer, and you have to call Microsoft each time to re-
activate it.
 
Hi, Glee.

You should be able to install WinXP into the same computer as many times as
you need to. Of course, the definition of "same computer" might get
strained if you start switching key components, such as the mainboard, HD,
etc., even if you keep everything in the same case. But simply
repartitioning the HDs should not trigger WinXP's perception of "same
computer". For official details about WPA (Windows Product Activation),
though, you could have a look here:
Microsoft Product Activation
http://www.microsoft.com/piracy/basics/activation/
going to install it on another harddrive in the same computer because
I'm going to try to dual boot with Win98SE.
Click to expand...

A different issue here is the best way to install for dual-boot. If you
install Win9x/ME first, WinXP Setup will recognize that the other Windows is
there and will create the dual-boot files for you automatically. But, if
you install WinXP first and then try to add Win9x/ME afterwards, you will
have problems that may be severe or just a nuisance.

Win9x/ME can't read from, write to or even SEE an NTFS partition, so it
certainly can't boot from one. If you install WinXP first and let it format
Drive C: as NTFS, then you will have to find a way - probably by starting
over - to change Drive C: to FAT (16 or 32). Otherwise, you won't be able
to install Win9x/ME at all. (You could use a third-party boot manager, but
I have no experience with those.) For some details, see Doug Knox's web
page:
How do I install Windows® 98/Me after I've installed XP?
http://www.dougknox.com/xp/tips/xp_repair_9x.htm

If you install Win9x/ME first, dual-booting is easy. Otherwise, it will be
a headache!

RC
 
|I believe that you can only re-install it three (?) times
|on the same computer without having to pay for it again.

Rubbish. Where on EARTH did you hear that? I've installed XP a LOT more
than three times on my laptop and I've activated over the internet every
time without fail.
 
Not true. It can be re-installed a million times if necessary - on the same
computer, that is. However, as you said, reactivating may require a phone
call to Microsoft. As many have said, the phone call is a relatively
painless process.
 
William Darding Jr. said:
I believe that you can only re-install it three (?) times
on the same computer without having to pay for it again.
Click to expand...

Entirely False.
However, all three installations must be on the same
computer, and you have to call Microsoft each time to re-
activate it.
Click to expand...

You may have to call to re-activate if you need to do so before, IIRC 120
days. It's not a problem. MS is well aware that people sometimes have to
reinstall. I've never been on the phone more than a few minutes for this.

If you need to call, you will be given a phone number.

-pk
 
Glee said:
I like to try different setups and I tweak my computer a lot. My
question is how many times can I reinstall Win XP pro on the same
computer with all the same hardware. I have 3 hards drives and I
sometimes partition them a little different each time. This time I'm
going to install it on another harddrive in the same computer because
I'm going to try to dual boot with Win98SE. So I might play around
with it a bit and on some post I read that there is a limit of how
many times microsoft will allow you to activite on the same computer..
Click to expand...

The post is wrong.
I've also at times flashed the BIOS and OC my cpu which I think came
up with a different number that MS uses to see if it is the same
computer.. Thanks for any info.

Glee
Click to expand...

You can reinstall as many times as you need to. You may need to
re-activate it, and that may require a phone call - a dialog will give you
the number. It's quick and easy and not a problem if you legitimately own
the license.

-pk
 
As long as the hardware is not changed appreciably even a phone call
shouldn't be necessary. Under that scenario, assuming a reformat and a
reinstall, activation should be nothing more than a handshake between two
computers over the Internet, essentially the same as it was on first
install.
 
In
William Darding Jr. said:
I believe that you can only re-install it three (?) times
on the same computer without having to pay for it again.
Click to expand...


Not true. You can do so as many times as you want.

However, all three installations must be on the same
computer, and you have to call Microsoft each time to re-
activate it.
Click to expand...


Also not true. That's needed only if you make a lot of hardware
changes.

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

 
Greetings --

There's no limit to the number of times you can reinstall and
activate the same WinXP license on the same PC. 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

--
Help us help you:



You can have peace. Or you can have freedom. Don't ever count on
having both at once. -- RAH
 
Patrick Keenan said:
The post is wrong.


You can reinstall as many times as you need to. You may need to
re-activate it, and that may require a phone call - a dialog will give you
the number. It's quick and easy and not a problem if you legitimately own
the license.

-pk
Click to expand...


Thanks for the quick response. I had a feeling this was the case. I
know it wasn't 3 and I have no clue where that guy came up with that
one.. Glad I came to the 'Know Zone"... Too bad I can't install a
second copy of my XP Pro to the same computer as well as I would like
to have one verison setup with out all of the programs so I can just
edit video..

Thanks again,
Glee
 
Glee said:
"Patrick Keenan" <[email protected]> wrote in message


Thanks for the quick response. I had a feeling this was the case. I
know it wasn't 3 and I have no clue where that guy came up with that
one.. Glad I came to the 'Know Zone"... Too bad I can't install a
second copy of my XP Pro to the same computer as well as I would like
to have one verison setup with out all of the programs so I can just
edit video..

Thanks again,
Glee
Click to expand...

Actually, for this you might try different hardware profiles and accounts.
Create the profiles you need, then restart in each and turn on or off the
applications and services you need. I have a client with a VPN client that
interferes with network traffic when connected locally - the profiles work
around this very nicely (and cheaply). Change the desktops between
accounts as appropriate..

HTH
-pk
 
Back
Top