License & Multiple Installs Over Time

[Jorge Chihuahua]

I have three legit licenses for XP. I'm the type of PC user that 1) tends to
need to re-install Windows every 6-12 months, 2) adds new hard drives,
graphic cards, etc. fairly often, and 3) runs multiple bootable partitions.
As a result, not surprisingly, none of my three product keys works any more
-- they all tell me that they've been used the max number of times. But I
don't think I've "overextended" my license for any: I only have one PC, I'm
not pirating Windows, etc. How can I get my product keys "reset" so I can
install Windows again? And, by the way, is installing it on multiple bootable
partitions on one PC against my XP home licensing?

TIA...

 

[Mick Murphy]

One Licence, one installation at a time!
You can NOT install XP on 3 Partitions, and be using the one Licence Product
Key!
3 installs; 3 Product Keys
Even Virtual Machine requires a Licence.

 

[Daave]

Are you sure?

I'm pretty sure the EULA says one *computer* at a time. I believe this
is a matter of interpretation. From how I see it, it should be permitted
to install XP to multiple partitions on a single computer. Of course,
WPA may not allow this, but I believe the license does.

Does anyone else have any thoughts on this?

 

[Jorge Chihuahua]

With regards to the question of multiple installs on multiple partitions,
thanks for the input, but that's really not my main question.

My main question is, my product keys no longer work because for 5 years
Windows has required me to re-authenticate every time I have added a new hard
drive, a new video card, or outright upgraded my PC. How do I "reset" my
product codes?

Not that MS pays any attention to these forums, but you would think that
they would be able to come up with a licensing system that prevents actual
piracy instead of multiple partitions and hardware upgrades!

 

[Alias]

With regards to the question of multiple installs on multiple partitions,
thanks for the input, but that's really not my main question.

My main question is, my product keys no longer work because for 5 years
Windows has required me to re-authenticate every time I have added a new hard
drive, a new video card, or outright upgraded my PC. How do I "reset" my
product codes?

Not that MS pays any attention to these forums, but you would think that
they would be able to come up with a licensing system that prevents actual
piracy instead of multiple partitions and hardware upgrades!

You're probably gonna have to use phone activation. There is no limit on
how many reinstalls you can do on the same computer. You can also
upgrade your computer's hardware to your heart's content, including the
motherboard.

Alias

 

[Ken Blake]

Are you sure?

I'm pretty sure the EULA says one *computer* at a time. I believe this is
a matter of interpretation. From how I see it, it should be permitted to
install XP to multiple partitions on a single computer. Of course, WPA may
not allow this, but I believe the license does.

Microsoft's interpretation of the license is that multiple installations on
multiple partitions is not permitted. The only way you could get your
interpretation to prevail would be to go to court and win. You might or
might not win, but few of us would be willing to even try.

 

[Daave]

Microsoft's interpretation of the license is that multiple
installations on multiple partitions is not permitted.

Upon further reading, I also noticed this:

* Installation and Use. Except as otherwise expressly provided in this
EULA, you may install, use, access, display and run only one (1) copy of
the SOFTWARE on the COMPUTER

I guess that settles that!