Install XP Home Edition with SP2 on two HDDs in same PC?

[Guest]

I'm planning to update to a new PC, would like to run XP Home Edition.
Currently I run Win98 on an older PC and have removable HDD sleds. Each of
the two removeable HDDs has a copy of Win98 and I have either one or the
other sled installed, not both. One has off-line content and "doesn't know
how to get on line" while the other is my on-line HDD.

I won't be able to upgrade because I've somehow lost my Win98 CD, will have
to buy a new retail XP HE version.

I've read that XP requires on-line activation, and also that I can't install
more than one copy. Hmmm.... The two new HDDs are nominally identical
(same part number anyhow, they may have internal coding which makes them
unique). They will see an identical hardware configuration.

So my questions are: (1) Will I be able to install XP on both HDDs and have
it work, and (2) how will I activate the copy of XP which is on the off-line
HDD? Probably there are other questions I should be asking too, but don't
know to ask.

 

[Carey Frisch [MVP]]

A Windows XP license can only be used once on one
(1) computer. A second installation requires a second
license, even if its installed on the same computer.

From the Windows XP EULA:

1.1 Installation and use. You may install, use, access,
display and run one copy of the Software on a single
computer, such as a workstation, terminal or other
device ("Workstation Computer"). The Software may not
be used by more than two (2) processors at any one
time on any single Workstation Computer.

Please read your End-User License Agreement by going
to Start > Run and type: WINVER , and hit enter. Then
click on "End-User License Agreement".

If you already have a retail copy of Windows XP, you can obtain
additional licenses for another computer or laptop by visiting the
following Microsoft Web site:
http://shop.microsoft.com/special/wal/walinfo.asp

--
Carey Frisch
Microsoft MVP
Windows - Shell/User
Microsoft Community Newsgroups
news://msnews.microsoft.com/

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:

| I'm planning to update to a new PC, would like to run XP Home Edition.
| Currently I run Win98 on an older PC and have removable HDD sleds. Each of
| the two removeable HDDs has a copy of Win98 and I have either one or the
| other sled installed, not both. One has off-line content and "doesn't know
| how to get on line" while the other is my on-line HDD.
|
| I won't be able to upgrade because I've somehow lost my Win98 CD, will have
| to buy a new retail XP HE version.
|
| I've read that XP requires on-line activation, and also that I can't install
| more than one copy. Hmmm.... The two new HDDs are nominally identical
| (same part number anyhow, they may have internal coding which makes them
| unique). They will see an identical hardware configuration.
|
| So my questions are: (1) Will I be able to install XP on both HDDs and have
| it work, and (2) how will I activate the copy of XP which is on the off-line
| HDD? Probably there are other questions I should be asking too, but don't
| know to ask.

 

[DL]

Of course, two licences for two installations on the same PC is a debatable
point, which would probably keep the legal eagles going for some time.

 

[Larry Samuels]

You will get many views on this, but the practical answer is:
Yes--it will install and activate on both drives.

The EULA is poorly worded and open to legal interpretation. You are not
violating the spirit of the EULA and MAY not be violating the legal
interpretation (that depends solely on the country where you reside and
which lawyer you talk to).

The growing use of Virtual PC, removable hard drives, and the use of dual
booting to protect important files from exposure to internet trash has
changed the pc landscape drastically in the last few years.
MS needs to adjust it's licensing for the home sector the way it is
currently adjusting it for the business sector to allow multiple installs on
virtual server.


--
Larry Samuels Associate Expert
MS-MVP (2001-2005)
Unofficial FAQ for Windows Server 2003 at
http://pelos.us/SERVER.htm
Expert Zone-

 

[Guest]

Carey, DL, Larry --

Thanks very much for the advice. At least now I think I understand the
situation. May decide to go with Win2000 instead. No particular need to
go with XP but so long as I'm going to a new PC it seemed a logical thing to
do.

Martt

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