Multiboot Single Copy of Win XP

[AWU]

I would like to set up my computer as a multiboot system using my
(single) copy of Windows XP Home. That is, I want to have several
partitions on my drive, each containing Win XP Home – each installation
will be tweaked for a specific task or environment. I know that others
have done this successfully, I’m just wondering what difficulties to
expect or how the procedure might differ from setting up a “traditional”
multiboot system that uses different operating systems. The main problem
I am anticipating is the Product Activation, as I don’t think it will
like this arrangement. I did Google for tips/info but didn’t find as
much as I had hoped for.

Thanks to any who can help.

Al

 

[Mike Brannigan [MSFT]]

I would like to set up my computer as a multiboot system using my (single)
copy of Windows XP Home. That is, I want to have several partitions on my
drive, each containing Win XP Home – each installation will be tweaked for
a specific task or environment. I know that others have done this
successfully, I’m just wondering what difficulties to expect or how the
procedure might differ from setting up a “traditional” multiboot system
that uses different operating systems. The main problem I am anticipating
is the Product Activation, as I don’t think it will like this arrangement.
I did Google for tips/info but didn’t find as much as I had hoped for.

Initial problem is that installing the copy of Windows XP more then once
requires additional licenses.
See the End User License Agreement (EULA) for complete details of your usage
rights under the License you agreed to abide by when you installed the PC or
completed setup etc.
You can view the EULA anytime by clicking the link on Start ... Run ...
winver

I have copied a fragment of the relevant section below.


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

* 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").

Additional installs will require additional licenses.


--

Regards,

Mike
--
Mike Brannigan [Microsoft]

This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no
rights

Please note I cannot respond to e-mailed questions, please use these
newsgroups

 

[M]

You wont have any problems with product activation because you will be
activating on the same hardware. You could instead clone a single install
activated install adjusting the boot.ini file for each install, then you
will only have to activate once.
There is some difference of opinion as to whether this is within the
license. I actually phoned up to activate one of my installations and was
assured that you can load the same copy of XP on the same PC as many times
as you like including simultaneous installs. However there are many that
say that each simultaneous install on the same PC requires a separate
licence. As far as I am concerned as I can only boot into one installation
at any one time then one license will do!

 

[Rick \Nutcase\ Rogers]

Hi AWU,

I would like to set up my computer as a multiboot system using my
(single) copy of Windows XP Home. That is, I want to have several
partitions on my drive, each containing Win XP Home ? each installation
will be tweaked for a specific task or environment. I know that others
have done this successfully, I?m just wondering what difficulties to
expect or how the procedure might differ from setting up a ?traditional?
multiboot system that uses different operating systems. The main problem
I am anticipating is the Product Activation, as I don?t think it will
like this arrangement. I did Google for tips/info but didn?t find as
much as I had hoped for.

Thanks to any who can help.

Al

The license agreement (EULA) allows for only instance of the installation on
one system, but it would be impossible to detect and enforce. As you will
be reactivating on the same hardware, that should not be an issue - though
you may run up against a problem with multiple activations in a short time
period and have to phone it in.

My only thought is: Why? You can use different hardware profiles, different
user accounts, etc. What is it about a multiboot that makes it a more
attractive alternative?

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP

Associate Expert - WindowsXP Expert Zone

Windows help - www.rickrogers.org

 

[kurttrail]

Initial problem is that installing the copy of Windows XP more then
once requires additional licenses.
See the End User License Agreement (EULA) for complete details of
your usage rights under the License you agreed to abide by when you
installed the PC or completed setup etc.
You can view the EULA anytime by clicking the link on Start ... Run
... winver

I have copied a fragment of the relevant section below.


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

* 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").

Additional installs will require additional licenses.

Commercial use terms that aren't applicable to private non-commercial
use. MS has NO idea that someone has the some copy installed on the
same computer!

And besides that, your company would lose a lot of Beta-testers that
aren't gonna test your software on their mission-critical OS partition.

MS has NO idea that someone has the some copy installed on the same
computer,

Hell, you company even gives instructions on how to do parallel
installations on the same partition! And that would be two installs of
the same copy of an OS on the same computer!

http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=266465

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;316941

Why do you bother Mike? It's not like anyone that hasn't drank the
MicroKoolAid is gonna believe you, with your obvious conflict of
interest!

--
Peace!
Kurt
Self-anointed Moderator
microscum.pubic.windowsexp.gonorrhea
http://microscum.com/mscommunity
"Trustworthy Computing" is only another example of an Oxymoron!
"Produkt-Aktivierung macht frei"

 

[kurttrail]

Hi AWU,


The license agreement (EULA) allows for only instance of the
installation on one system, but it would be impossible to detect and
enforce. As you will be reactivating on the same hardware, that
should not be an issue - though you may run up against a problem with
multiple activations in a short time period and have to phone it in.

My only thought is: Why? You can use different hardware profiles,
different user accounts, etc. What is it about a multiboot that makes
it a more attractive alternative?

Backup, if one install goes south. Up and running again in the time it
takes to reboot and select the other installation.

That's the best reason I know anyway.

--
Peace!
Kurt
Self-anointed Moderator
microscum.pubic.windowsexp.gonorrhea
http://microscum.com/mscommunity
"Trustworthy Computing" is only another example of an Oxymoron!
"Produkt-Aktivierung macht frei"

 

[Mike Brannigan [MSFT]]

Commercial use terms that aren't applicable to private non-commercial use.
MS has NO idea that someone has the some copy installed on the same
computer!

And besides that, your company would lose a lot of Beta-testers that
aren't gonna test your software on their mission-critical OS partition.

MS has NO idea that someone has the some copy installed on the same
computer,

Hell, you company even gives instructions on how to do parallel
installations on the same partition! And that would be two installs of
the same copy of an OS on the same computer!

http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=266465

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;316941

Why do you bother Mike? It's not like anyone that hasn't drank the
MicroKoolAid is gonna believe you, with your obvious conflict of interest!

Beta testing licenses for our products carry different conditions.
As regards our KB articles at no time do they suggest you breach the
licensing agreement to do the multiple installs.
The end user agrees to be bound by the EULA - if they do not then they press
the appropriate button and the setup will exit and they will not breach
their licensing.

--

Regards,

Mike
--
Mike Brannigan [Microsoft]

This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no
rights

Please note I cannot respond to e-mailed questions, please use these
newsgroups

 

[Mike Brannigan [MSFT]]

Rick,

Please drop me an e-mail we need to discuss this post.

--

Regards,

Mike
--
Mike Brannigan [Microsoft]

This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no
rights

Please note I cannot respond to e-mailed questions, please use these
newsgroups

 

[kurttrail]

Beta testing licenses for our products carry different conditions.

So, as an example, if I'm gonna be beta testing OneCare, that EULA is
gonna allow me to install Windows XP a second time on my PC?

As regards our KB articles at no time do they suggest you breach the
licensing agreement to do the multiple installs.

Yeah, they don't pay no mind to the EULA at all!

The end user agrees to be bound by the EULA - if they do not then
they press the appropriate button and the setup will exit and they
will not breach their licensing.

It's been 13 years since MS added it's one computer term to a Windows
OS, and yet your company has yet to legally prove you have the right to
rewrite an individuals Right to "fair use."

Just because you repeat something over & over that you can not prove
doesn't mean a goddamned thing! MS, the company that cries "Wolf," but
can never prove it exists!

Get real, you conflict of interest, and your "As is" words show the
value of your words to anyone that hasn't drank the MicroKoolAid.

--
Peace!
Kurt
Self-anointed Moderator
microscum.pubic.windowsexp.gonorrhea
http://microscum.com/mscommunity
"Trustworthy Computing" is only another example of an Oxymoron!
"Produkt-Aktivierung macht frei"

 

[kurttrail]

Rick,

Please drop me an e-mail we need to discuss this post.

Oh, oh! Rick is being sent to the principles office!

http://groups-beta.google.com/group/microsoft.public.windowsxp.general/msg/d5f55eb1e291da11?hl=en

Rick is giving out basically the same opinion as Alex Nichol. Leave
Rick alone, or say what you have to say here, not in some backroom where
you'll use a virtual rubber hose on him!

--
Peace!
Kurt
Self-anointed Moderator
microscum.pubic.windowsexp.gonorrhea
http://microscum.com/mscommunity
"Trustworthy Computing" is only another example of an Oxymoron!
"Produkt-Aktivierung macht frei"

 

[Rick \Nutcase\ Rogers]

Hey Kurt,

I have naught to fear in discussing this with Mike privately, this is one of
those times that I mentioned to you once before. I recognize the rights of
intellectual property, even though interpretations of it may differ. I won't
debate legalities - I'm not a lawyer, and I didn't sleep at a Holiday Inn
Express last night.

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP

Associate Expert - WindowsXP Expert Zone

Windows help - www.rickrogers.org

 

[Rick \Nutcase\ Rogers]

Tried to respond privately Mike, but it bounced. You may use the address
used here or the private one listed in my profile to contact me. If all else
fails, contact Brian B., as we converse regularly. I would be happy to
continue this discussion.

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP

Associate Expert - WindowsXP Expert Zone

Windows help - www.rickrogers.org

 

[kurttrail]

Hey Kurt,

I have naught to fear in discussing this with Mike privately, this is
one of those times that I mentioned to you once before.

I didn't say you did fear it.

I recognize
the rights of intellectual property, even though interpretations of
it may differ. I won't debate legalities - I'm not a lawyer, and I
didn't sleep at a Holiday Inn Express last night.

I respect the law. And I'm not afraid to debate the legalities, even
though I'm not a lawyer. I have every right to my opinion, as you have
to yours, and Mike has to his, and MS has to its. The thing I agree
most about what Alex said about the One Copy, One Computer EULA term in
his post that I gave the link is that it is "an unresolved question."
Until MS, sues somebody and wins, every person has every right to come
to the own decision!

That is what I was standing up to Mike about. There is no need to have
some backroom conversation about it. You have the right to express
yourself, without some MS employee taking you to task for it, especially
when it is MS that has been keeping the private non-commercial EULA "an
unresolved question" by not trying to legally enforce it in a court of
law.

--
Peace!
Kurt
Self-anointed Moderator
microscum.pubic.windowsexp.gonorrhea
http://microscum.com/mscommunity
"Trustworthy Computing" is only another example of an Oxymoron!
"Produkt-Aktivierung macht frei"

 

[Don Burnette]

I hate to say it, but much of what Kurt has been saying about PA is starting
to make some sense...

I see absolutely nothing wrong with installing the same copy of XP, with the
same Product ID number, on the same computer, in multiple partitions.

Quite a bit different than say, someone that wants to lend their copy or
burn a copy to lend someone, so they can install on their seperate machine
in a seperate household...





Don Burnette

 

[kurttrail]

I hate to say it, but much of what Kurt has been saying about PA is
starting to make some sense...

I see absolutely nothing wrong with installing the same copy of XP,
with the same Product ID number, on the same computer, in multiple
partitions.
Quite a bit different than say, someone that wants to lend their copy
or burn a copy to lend someone, so they can install on their seperate
machine in a seperate household...

I agree. People shouldn't be "lending" software or any copyrighting
material to others outside their household, that is illegal
distribution.

Though Free Public Libraries never hurt the book publishing industry.
;-)

--
Peace!
Kurt
Self-anointed Moderator
microscum.pubic.windowsexp.gonorrhea
http://microscum.com/mscommunity
"Trustworthy Computing" is only another example of an Oxymoron!
"Produkt-Aktivierung macht frei"

 

[AWU]

Hello,

Thanks to all who responded for your advice and opinions. I didn't
expect my question to touch off a debate about intellectual property
law, but it was interesting nonetheless.

I'd like to touch on this topic for a moment. I did read the snippet of
the EULA that Mike Brannigan posted, and though the langauge is fairly
clear, I can't help but feel that the meaning is not. I can understand
and appreciate that Microsoft doesn't want people making copies of their
operating systems that they then distribute to others freely or
otherwise. I DO NOT do this or support it in any way. I can also
understand that MS wants you to purchase an OS for each different
machine that you own. In that case, I would not hesitate to pay for
another copy. But I only own one computer, and therefore only one copy
of WinXP. The idea that I should purchase "additional licenses" for
multiple instances of the same OS on one computer seems ridiculous; an
absurd adherence to the letter of the law, rather than the spirit.

This is one of those few moments, as an overwhelmingly law-abiding
citizen, where I would have to say: 'go to hell with your ridiculous,
utterly unreasonable, and money-grubbing "law"'. And - unlike so many -
I don't even have it in for Microsoft! I just have an unpleasant
reaction to shameless abuses of sections of the law that were originally
designed to protect and empower.

 

[Mike Brannigan [MSFT]]

So, as an example, if I'm gonna be beta testing OneCare, that EULA is
gonna allow me to install Windows XP a second time on my PC?

No - you are going to understand that if you CHOOSE to Bet test a product
then you must meet the necessary OS licensing to allow you to perform the
testing as required.
If you cannot meet the requirements then you should not be testing.

Yeah, they don't pay no mind to the EULA at all!

Then they should be more careful.

It's been 13 years since MS added it's one computer term to a Windows OS,
and yet your company has yet to legally prove you have the right to
rewrite an individuals Right to "fair use."

Just because you repeat something over & over that you can not prove
doesn't mean a goddamned thing! MS, the company that cries "Wolf," but
can never prove it exists!

Get real, you conflict of interest, and your "As is" words show the value
of your words to anyone that hasn't drank the MicroKoolAid.

Nonsense, there is no conflict of interest.
The AS IS is a company requirement for my posting as a Microsoft employee.

--

Regards,

Mike
--
Mike Brannigan [Microsoft]

This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no
rights

Please note I cannot respond to e-mailed questions, please use these
newsgroups

Mike Brannigan [MSFT] wrote:

Initial problem is that installing the copy of Windows XP more then
once requires additional licenses.
See the End User License Agreement (EULA) for complete details of
your usage rights under the License you agreed to abide by when you
installed the PC or completed setup etc.
You can view the EULA anytime by clicking the link on Start ... Run
... winver

I have copied a fragment of the relevant section below.


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

* 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").

Additional installs will require additional licenses.

Commercial use terms that aren't applicable to private
non-commercial use. MS has NO idea that someone has the some copy
installed on the same computer!

And besides that, your company would lose a lot of Beta-testers that
aren't gonna test your software on their mission-critical OS
partition. MS has NO idea that someone has the some copy installed on
the same
computer,

Hell, you company even gives instructions on how to do parallel
installations on the same partition! And that would be two installs
of the same copy of an OS on the same computer!

http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=266465

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;316941

Why do you bother Mike? It's not like anyone that hasn't drank the
MicroKoolAid is gonna believe you, with your obvious conflict of
interest!

Beta testing licenses for our products carry different conditions.

So, as an example, if I'm gonna be beta testing OneCare, that EULA is
gonna allow me to install Windows XP a second time on my PC?

As regards our KB articles at no time do they suggest you breach the
licensing agreement to do the multiple installs.

Yeah, they don't pay no mind to the EULA at all!

The end user agrees to be bound by the EULA - if they do not then
they press the appropriate button and the setup will exit and they
will not breach their licensing.

It's been 13 years since MS added it's one computer term to a Windows OS,
and yet your company has yet to legally prove you have the right to
rewrite an individuals Right to "fair use."

Just because you repeat something over & over that you can not prove
doesn't mean a goddamned thing! MS, the company that cries "Wolf," but
can never prove it exists!

Get real, you conflict of interest, and your "As is" words show the value
of your words to anyone that hasn't drank the MicroKoolAid.

--
Peace!
Kurt
Self-anointed Moderator
microscum.pubic.windowsexp.gonorrhea
http://microscum.com/mscommunity
"Trustworthy Computing" is only another example of an Oxymoron!
"Produkt-Aktivierung macht frei"

 

[T. Waters]

Thank you for being so sane.
And thanks for cutting through the verbiage to realize that an intelligent,
moral person obeys the spirit of a law when it may (or may not) conflict
with the wording of the law. How many of your XP installs on one computer
are you able to use at one time, anyway?
I think Mike could be convinced that this line from Leviticus is the law as
well (provided MS says so):
"If there is a man who lies with an animal, he shall surely be put to death;
you shall also kill the animal."

 

[kurttrail]

No - you are going to understand that if you CHOOSE to Bet test a
product then you must meet the necessary OS licensing to allow you to
perform the testing as required.
If you cannot meet the requirements then you should not be testing.

LOL! I didn't think so, and if MS expects its beta testers to buy
another copy of their OS to beta their other software products MS would
be shooting itself in its foot!

Then they should be more careful.

ROFL! Tell it to the KB article writers!

Nonsense, there is no conflict of interest.

Please! That would be like me saying I'm not a male!

The AS IS is a company requirement for my posting as a Microsoft
employee.

And you have to obey or lose your job. Hence the conflict of interest!

--
Peace!
Kurt
Self-anointed Moderator
microscum.pubic.windowsexp.gonorrhea
http://microscum.com/mscommunity
"Trustworthy Computing" is only another example of an Oxymoron!
"Produkt-Aktivierung macht frei"

 

[Mike Brannigan [MSFT]]

LOL! I didn't think so, and if MS expects its beta testers to buy another
copy of their OS to beta their other software products MS would be
shooting itself in its foot!

The majority of our Beta testers are corporate employees and their test
machines and labs are covered under appropriate volume licensing agreements.
Other testers are covered under MSDN licensing. Those few single/home users
that choose to participate in Beta programs do so on the understanding that
they must meet the prerequisites for the program and that this may include
certain licensing issues.

ROFL! Tell it to the KB article writers!

As I said the KB makes no reference to the EULA - it does not need to, as it
is a technical article about how to do side by side installs etc. Just as
in the KB articles about doing installs we do not reiterate the EULA as in
both cases you will see it during your install and you should there fore it
and either accept it or not. There is an expectation on people that they
read information and documents before they sign it or agree to abide by it
etc.

Please! That would be like me saying I'm not a male!



And you have to obey or lose your job. Hence the conflict of interest!

I'm not sure why you seem to think there is a conflict of interests here? I
certainly don't have any.


--

Regards,

Mike
--
Mike Brannigan [Microsoft]

This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no
rights

Please note I cannot respond to e-mailed questions, please use these
newsgroups