I have 4 computers in my home

[tw]

I have 2 desktops and 2 laptops on the same network in my
home. Is there anyway I can install Windows XP without
spending $400 for 4 separate programs. Surely as high
tech as Microsoft is, there must be some way they can
issue keys to activate xp just as they give one key code
for each disc. It seems they should be able to give the
private user more than one key code for cases like this
where there is more than one computer in the home. Even
if they charged a fee of about $20 for a new key for each
computer it would be better than the charge of $85 ($95
to purchase a new program) to obtain a license for each
computer. Unbelievable! Is it the same with Windows XP
Professional?

 

[Rob Schneider]

There are corporate licesing deals available, but nothing AFAIK for the
home user with multiple machines. It's not a matter of technology, it's
a business issue.

See http://www.microsoft.com/licensing/default.mspx and contact your
local Microsoft vendor for more information if you wish to pursue this.

Meantime ... don't know what country you are in, but the upgrade cost to
XP probably costs considerably more than the prices you quote (based on
a quick peek at www.amazon.com for prices in USA).

 

[Jim Macklin]

You can move to Viet Nam, I understand that it is cheap
there.

One computer, one OS, one hundred dollars. You can install
OFFICE on a laptop and a desktop, so that requires only 2
retail OFFICE as long as the laptops are not ON while the
others are too.


--
The people think the Constitution protects their rights;
But government sees it as an obstacle to be overcome.


| I have 2 desktops and 2 laptops on the same network in my
| home. Is there anyway I can install Windows XP without
| spending $400 for 4 separate programs. Surely as high
| tech as Microsoft is, there must be some way they can
| issue keys to activate xp just as they give one key code
| for each disc. It seems they should be able to give the
| private user more than one key code for cases like this
| where there is more than one computer in the home. Even
| if they charged a fee of about $20 for a new key for each
| computer it would be better than the charge of $85 ($95
| to purchase a new program) to obtain a license for each
| computer. Unbelievable! Is it the same with Windows XP
| Professional?

 

[Bruce Chambers]

Greetings --

Just why, exactly, do you find this "unbelievable?" Can you buy a
set of license plates for a single automobile, and use them on every
other car that your family members own/drive? Can you take your
family to a local restaurant, feed them all separate meals from the
menu, and pay for only one entree? If you purchase a single loaf of
bread, can you leave the store with four loaves?

Just as it says, right on the box, you'll need to purchase a
separate WinXP license for each computer on which you install it.

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.

You can buy additional licenses, assuming you have 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

I do agree that it would be nice if Microsoft were to offer some
sort of "family" or "household" licensing that offered a substantial
discount to consumers, especially now that multiple-PC households are
becoming much more common. However, in a free enterprise society,
Microsoft, just like any other business, is entitled to sell their
product as they wish. Sadly, though, since the overwhelming majority
of home users buy their PCs with the OS pre-installed, there's really
very little business incentive for Microsoft to develop and manage yet
another retail licensing scheme.


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

 

[Miss Perspicacia Tick]

Greetings --

Just why, exactly, do you find this "unbelievable?" Can you buy a
set of license plates for a single automobile, and use them on every
other car that your family members own/drive? Can you take your
family to a local restaurant, feed them all separate meals from the
menu, and pay for only one entree? If you purchase a single loaf of
bread, can you leave the store with four loaves?

Just as it says, right on the box, you'll need to purchase a
separate WinXP license for each computer on which you install it.

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.

You can buy additional licenses, assuming you have 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

I do agree that it would be nice if Microsoft were to offer some
sort of "family" or "household" licensing that offered a substantial
discount to consumers, especially now that multiple-PC households are
becoming much more common. However, in a free enterprise society,
Microsoft, just like any other business, is entitled to sell their
product as they wish. Sadly, though, since the overwhelming majority
of home users buy their PCs with the OS pre-installed, there's really
very little business incentive for Microsoft to develop and manage yet
another retail licensing scheme.


Bruce Chambers

To add to that - if you can afford four computers, then you can afford 4 XP
licences. If you can't, tough. I have three computers and I have managed to
purchase a licence for each (two Pro, one Home). I also have a laptop
running 98 - you don't have to upgrade every single computer to XP - I
couldn't upgrade my laptop, it simply wouldn't take it. My P3 1.2GHz was
running 2000 until very recently (the hard drive died and Dad no longer had
the disc to reinstall 2000) so I bought a second Pro licence. My mother's
computer runs Home. I also have three Office 2003 licences.

 

[Barry Watzman]

Actually, if you get Office 2003 Students & Teachers (S&T) edition, you
can legally install it on 3 computers in the same household. Word is
that, unofficially, Microsoft doesn't care if you are not a student or
teacher, as long as it's for personal rather than business use. In any
case, there is no enforcement of the "Student and Teacher" restriction
other than the "honor system".

Also, while the non S&T retail editions can only be installed on two
computers (which are nominally supposed to be a laptop and desktop), I'm
not sure that there is an explicit restriction to that effect in the
EULA, or a restriction against simultaneous use. Certainly, EULA aside,
Product Activation's only enforced restriction is 2 computers. Type and
simultaneous use, even if prohibited by the EULA, are not enforced.

 

[Ken]

Greetings --

Just why, exactly, do you find this "unbelievable?" Can you buy a
set of license plates for a single automobile, and use them on every
other car that your family members own/drive?

umm how much do licence plates cost,as opposed to the cost of car? hmm?
Can you take your

family to a local restaurant, feed them all separate meals from the
menu, and pay for only one entree?

No but I can by one pizza and share it

If you purchase a single loaf of

bread, can you leave the store with four loaves?

no but all my family can eat sandwiches

Just as it says, right on the box, you'll need to purchase a
separate WinXP license for each computer on which you install it.

what a ripoff

 

[Ken]

To add to that - if you can afford four computers, then you can afford 4
XP

licences.

No I can't.I spent all the money on the four computers

If you can't, tough.

yeah it is tough

I have three computers and I have managed to