License with Windows XP

[Guest]

First off, I'm starting to get really disappointed with Microsoft's Support,
it shouldn't be hard to ask a simple question, but anyway...

I own a computer and have a legal copy of Windows XP Professional and I am
looking to build another computer. Both computers are for personal/home use,
and I am the only user, do I need to buy another license (OEM version) of
Windows XP Pro?

 

[Vagabond Software]

First off, I'm starting to get really disappointed with Microsoft's Support,
it shouldn't be hard to ask a simple question, but anyway...

I own a computer and have a legal copy of Windows XP Professional and I am
looking to build another computer. Both computers are for personal/home use,
and I am the only user, do I need to buy another license (OEM version) of
Windows XP Pro?

If you want it installed on both computers, you'll need two licenses.

carl

 

[.:mmac:.]

Yep. With other applications they sometimes give permission fro an
additional install on a laptop for the same user, but never with the OS.
And with an OEM copy, thats only for the machine it was built with, you
can't legally transfer it to another machine even if the first one is
destroyed.

 

[Michael Stevens]

First off, I'm starting to get really disappointed with Microsoft's
Support, it shouldn't be hard to ask a simple question, but anyway...

I own a computer and have a legal copy of Windows XP Professional and
I am looking to build another computer. Both computers are for
personal/home use, and I am the only user, do I need to buy another
license (OEM version) of Windows XP Pro?

You will need a license for each computer you install XP on. You can't just
purchase a OEM license, you will need to purchase the complete package with
documentation and CD. The OEM comes packaged in shrinkwrap and the Product
Key is on a sticker on the outside of the shrinkwrap. Don't lose the
sticker.
The documentation also states it is for use on one computer and with OEM
versions, it cannot be transferred. It is a good idea to wait a couple weeks
to activate in case there is hardware failure.
Now you know where to come for information.
You boot from the CD and do a clean install.
Click on or copy and paste the link below into your web browser address bar.
How to clean install XP.
http://michaelstevenstech.com/cleanxpinstall.html
--
Michael Stevens MS-MVP XP
(e-mail address removed)
http://michaelstevenstech.com
For a better newsgroup experience. Setup a newsreader.
http://michaelstevenstech.com/outlookexpressnewreader.htm

 

[Leythos]

8?B?Tm8gSWRlYSBBbmQgU3R1ZmY=?=" <No Idea And
(e-mail address removed)> says...

First off, I'm starting to get really disappointed with Microsoft's Support,
it shouldn't be hard to ask a simple question, but anyway...

I own a computer and have a legal copy of Windows XP Professional and I am
looking to build another computer. Both computers are for personal/home use,
and I am the only user, do I need to buy another license (OEM version) of
Windows XP Pro?

I though, rather than tell you about it I would lead you to it:

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/pro/eula.mspx

1. GRANT OF LICENSE. Microsoft grants you the following rights provided
that you comply with all terms and conditions of this EULA:

=3F Installation and use. You may install, use, access, display and run
one copy of the Product on a single computer, such as a workstation,
terminal or other device ("Workstation Computer").

 

[Ron Bogart]

In

First off, I'm starting to get really disappointed with Microsoft's
Support, it shouldn't be hard to ask a simple question, but anyway...

I own a computer and have a legal copy of Windows XP Professional and
I am looking to build another computer. Both computers are for
personal/home use, and I am the only user, do I need to buy another
license (OEM version) of Windows XP Pro?

Yes - either an OEM or Retail version. One license - One machine. HTH

 

[Greg R]

Yes - either an OEM or Retail version. One license - One machine. HTH

Correct some point here.

You can transfer a retail version to another computer if removed.

Also, you can buy another license for the retail version.


Greg R

 

[Ron Bogart]

In

Correct some point here.

You can transfer a retail version to another computer if removed.

Also, you can buy another license for the retail version.


Greg R

Were his question to transfer to the other machine - I would have given that
advice. He wants to run both machines, so I don't see the relevance?

 

[Ken Blake]

In

First off, I'm starting to get really disappointed with
Microsoft's
Support, it shouldn't be hard to ask a simple question, but
anyway...

This is *not* Microsoft's support. This is a peer-to-peer support
newsgroup. We are all just Windows XP users trying to help each
other when we can. Even those of us with "Microsoft MVP" after
our names are not Microsoft employees, just individuals who have
been recognized by Microsoft for providing frequent and accurate
help.

I own a computer and have a legal copy of Windows XP
Professional and
I am looking to build another computer. Both computers are for
personal/home use, and I am the only user, do I need to buy
another
license (OEM version) of Windows XP Pro?

Yes, you need to buy another, but it doesn't have to be an OEM
version. The rule is quite clear. It's one copy (or one license)
for each computer.

There's nothing new here. This is exactly the same rule that's
been in effect on every version of Windows starting with Windows
3.1. The only thing new with XP is that there's now an
enforcement mechanism.

If yours is a retail version, not an OEM one, you can buy extra
licenses (see
<http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/pro/howtobuy/addlic.asp>).
But it's not generally a good deal. The problem is that Microsoft
sells additional licenses at only a small savings over the list
price. You're almost certainly better off just buying a complete
second copy from a discount source.

 

[Alex Nichol]

I own a computer and have a legal copy of Windows XP Professional and I am
looking to build another computer. Both computers are for personal/home use,
and I am the only user, do I need to buy another license (OEM version) of
Windows XP Pro?

Yes. It is strict, and always has been: one license to a machine.
Hence Product Activation, to push the point home

 

[Alias]

|
| Yes. It is strict, and always has been: one license to a machine.
| Hence Product Activation, to push the point home
| --
| Alex Nichol MS MVP (Windows Technologies)

More likely to try and get people not to put the OS on several machines like
one could with Win9x and W2K. Greedy act on the part of MS if you ask me and
justifies the creation of XPs and Office 2003s that don't need activation.
--
Alias

Use the Reply to Sender feature
of your news reader program to email me.

Utiliza Responder al Remitente
para mandarme un mail.

 

[Jupiter Jones [MVP]]

Win9x and W2K were not licensed for more than one computer.
As far as that goes nothing has changed.
Except now it is more difficult to do and claim ignorance.
But I thought you knew that...I guess not.

You call it "Greedy", easy for you to say when you give away all the fruits
of your labour...or do you?

 

[Alias]

| Win9x and W2K were not licensed for more than one computer.
| As far as that goes nothing has changed.
| Except now it is more difficult to do and claim ignorance.
| But I thought you knew that...I guess not.
|
| You call it "Greedy", easy for you to say when you give away all the
fruits
| of your labour...or do you?
|
| --
| Jupiter Jones [MVP]
| http://www3.telus.net/dandemar/

The music industry started crying and moaning about cassette tapes and,
strangely, Mick Jagger and the boys are still obscenely rich from their
music. Give me a ****ing break. A man walks into a store. Buys a CD ROM with
XP on it. Man has two computers, a desk top and lap top. Man thinks that he
can do what he wants to with the CD he just paid money for and A LOT OF
MONEY. He thinks he needs Office too and pays EVEN MORE MONEY for one CD. He
finds out he can't. He feels scammed. He was. Yes, I call it "greedy". YMMV.
--
Alias

Use the Reply to Sender feature of your news reader program to email me.

Utiliza Responder al Remitente para mandarme un mail.
|
|
| > More likely to try and get people not to put the OS on several machines
| > like
| > one could with Win9x and W2K. Greedy act on the part of MS if you ask me
| > and
| > justifies the creation of XPs and Office 2003s that don't need
activation.
| > --
| > Alias
| >
| > Use the Reply to Sender feature
| > of your news reader program to email me.
| >
| > Utiliza Responder al Remitente
| > para mandarme un mail.
| >
| >
|
|

 

[Greg R]

You call it "Greedy", easy for you to say when you give away all the fruits
of your labour...or do you?

This I disagree with Jupiter. Everyone still get paid. Regardless of
what type of license it has. It still was bought at some point by
someone. So saying Microsoft did not get paid is incorrect.
I am not talking about burned copies either.

Also another correction. The oem licensing did not start until
windows 95b oem.

Greg R

 

[Bruce Chambers]

First off, I'm starting to get really disappointed with Microsoft's Support,
it shouldn't be hard to ask a simple question, but anyway...

Why do you need Microsoft Support to answer a question that's already
been answered, and that is stored on your very own hard drive? Try
reading C:\Windows\System32\Eula.txt, again. (You read it and agreed to
bound by its terms the first time you booted up your computer, unless
someone else set it up for you.)

I own a computer and have a legal copy of Windows XP Professional and I am
looking to build another computer. Both computers are for personal/home use,
and I am the only user, do I need to buy another license (OEM version) of
Windows XP Pro?

Certainly. You need to purchase a separate WinXP Pro license for
each computer on which you install it.

First of all, your new computer has an OEM license for WinXP.
An OEM version must be sold with a piece of hardware (normally a
motherboard or hard drive, if not an entire PC) and is _permanently_
bound to the first PC on which it's installed. An OEM license, once
installed, is not legally transferable to another computer under _any_
circumstances.

Secondly, 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.

--

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

 

[Ken Blake]

In

Also another correction. The oem licensing did not start
until
windows 95b oem.

Not correct. There were OEM versions at least as far back as
Windows 3.1.

There are pictures of a couple of Windows 3.1 OEM startup splash
screens here: http://vgalogo.netfirms.com/

I believe that Windows 95B was the first version of Windows to be
available *only* as an OEM version, and that's probably what's
confusing you.

 

[Jupiter Jones [MVP]]

Greg;
"So saying Microsoft did not get paid"
Where did I say that?

I also never said anything about when OEM licenses started.
So that is not a correction for me.

Were you perhaps reading another post and responding to me?
Read my post again?

 

[EvolBob]

Hi all.
I'm new to this group and after reading the previous 200 posts you have
already answered several questions. - thanks.
But -

You're almost certainly better off just buying a complete second copy from
a discount source.

- Why would a home user do this?
He is the only user. At any one time, only one OS is being used by him,
even if both computers are on he can't split into two persons.
Like using two pianos, its a stretch

What about multitasking on XPSR2 with a high priced graphic card, the latest
software and networking, one could have several monitors accessing different
programs on the same computer?
No extra license for that is needed.

I just tried the Open Office suite and for a free software application - it
just blew my socks off!
MS has its money grubbing days numbered!

I don't support piracy, but to do this one needs to have deprived MS from
something?
And for most it is copy the OS to the other machine or not: Buying another
copy is NOT a viable option.

Selling a computer without an OS is like selling a car without tyres.
Again why would a person like myself (financially constipated) go and spend
$200 NZ dollars for another OS, for something I already have?
Why would anyone?
I don't believe anyone does - do you, does M$?

If you say yes you mean computers and the Internet are for the rich only?
If I were Bill Gates I'd fix the OS software problems, sell the OS for $20
and maybe $40 for the Office apps, and provide free online help to all new
customers till the next new version. Instead it is the multi-national
companies with budgets in the billions that bulk buy 10,000's of licenses
for piddling prices not available to ordinary folk.


Regards
EvolBob

'A rant a day keeps the ants away.'

 

[Alias]

| If I were Bill Gates I'd fix the OS software problems, sell the OS for $20
| and maybe $40 for the Office apps, and provide free online help to all new
| customers till the next new version.
|
| Regards
| EvolBob

That would eliminate piracy in one day.
--
Alias

Use the Reply to Sender feature of your news reader program to email me.

Utiliza Responder al Remitente para mandarme un mail.

 

[Ken Blake]

In

Hi all.
I'm new to this group and after reading the previous 200 posts
you
have already answered several questions. - thanks.
But -


- Why would a home user do this?
He is the only user. At any one time, only one OS is being
used by
him, even if both computers are on he can't split into two
persons.
Like using two pianos, its a stretch

The question was about having two computers with Windows XP on
both of them. In most cases, people who want to do that either
want to have one on a laptop and one on a desktop, or want to
have two computers, one for each of two household members.

This particular person said he was the only user, so why he wants
two computers I don't know. But I wasn't trying to second-guess
him. He said he wanted two, and I accepted that. My reply had to
do with what he had to do to have Windows XP on both.

What about multitasking on XPSR2 with a high priced graphic
card, the
latest software and networking, one could have several monitors
accessing different programs on the same computer?
No extra license for that is needed.

True, but irrelevant in the context of the question he asked.

I just tried the Open Office suite and for a free software
application - it just blew my socks off!

I've never used it myself, but I've heard good other reports from
those who have liked it.

MS has its money grubbing days numbered!

Highly unlikely.

Personally I prefer WordPerfect, which is also cheaper than
Microsoft Office (but obviously more expensive than the free
OpenOffice).

I don't support piracy, but to do this one needs to have
deprived MS
from something?
And for most it is copy the OS to the other machine or not:
Buying
another copy is NOT a viable option.

The laws say you need to adhere to the license agreement, If you
don't like that license agreement, don't buy the product. There
*are* other choices, as you yourself point out, talking about
OpenOffice.

Selling a computer without an OS is like selling a car without
tyres.

I'm not sure what point that statement is supposed to be making.
He's building a computer, not buying one. When you build a
computer yourself, it doesn't come with an operating system or
with anything else.

And by the way, there's nothing wrong with buying a computer
without an operating system or with buying a car without tires.
You can't use the computer without an operating system or a car
without tires, but that doesn't preclude your buying either that
way and supplying the operating system or tires yourself. For
example, someone who wants to install a free version of Linux
would normally prefer to buy a computer without an operating
system. And someone, for example, who owns a tire business might
find it cheaper to buy without tires and supply them himself.

Again why would a person like myself (financially constipated)
go and
spend $200 NZ dollars for another OS, for something I already
have?

Because the law requires you to adhere to the terms of the
license agreement. Becuase not doing so is stealing. Because it's
immoral. Because it can get you into severe legal difficulties if
you get caught.

If you can't afford a loaf of bread, do you steal it? If you
can't afford a car, do you steal one? Why do you think it's OK
to steal software? You say above that you don't support piracy,
but clearly you do.

Why would anyone?
I don't believe anyone does - do you, does M$?

I can't speak for anyone but myself. I own three computers--two
desktops (one for me, one for my wife) and a laptop (which we
share). The two desktops each have their own copies of Windows XP
which I bought (Professional for me, Home for my wife). The
laptop has a third copy, which came with the computer.

If you say yes you mean computers and the Internet are for the
rich
only?

Not at all. I know many people who are *far* from rich and who
use computers and the internet without stealing anything. These
days it's possible to buy computers very inexpensively. And
there's lots of free software you can run, starting with Linux
and OpenOffice.

And if you can't afford even that, then there are often public
libraries where computers and the internet can be used for free.
Buy and use whatever you can afford.

If I were Bill Gates I'd fix the OS software problems, sell the
OS for $20 and maybe $40 for the Office apps, and provide free
online
help to all new customers till the next new version.

That's very noble of you. It's too bad for all of us that you're
not Bill Gates.

What you are missing, of course, that if you were Bill Gates
trying to run a company with such noble aims, instead of making
money for its stockholders, you would likely have gone out of
business long ago.