Windows on multiple computers

[Guest]

At home I have a laptop and a desktop. I was wondering if I could put the
same copy of Windows xp pro on both of them and still be legal. The COA does
say for 1-2 computers, but I'm not quite sure what they mean. Any info would
be great.

 

[T. Waters]

At home I have a laptop and a desktop. I was wondering if I could
put the same copy of Windows xp pro on both of them and still be
legal. The COA does say for 1-2 computers, but I'm not quite sure
what they mean. Any info would be great.

Interesting that your COA says 1-2 computers, but in fact Microsoft intends
that you may only install the software on one machine at a time. They have
put a few hurdles in your way, but if you do not mind violating the End-User
License Agreement, you can (as opposed to MAY) put one copy of XP on two
computers. Product activation will only be a problem if you attempt to
activate your XP (something you have to do or it will stop working) on two
different computers within 120 days.

 

[Jupiter Jones [MVP]]

Look again.
It does not say "1-2 computers".
It says something similar to "1-2 CPU"
That is the number of processors you computer can use.

One license, one computer, the way it has always been with all Microsoft
consumer operating systems since at least Windows 95.
If you want Windows XP on a second computer, you need to buy another copy of
Windows XP.

 

[Richard Urban]

A CPU "IS NOT" a computer. A CPU is a chip within the computer - the brains
of the computer, if you will. You may use ONE computer with either 1 or 2
CPU's on the motherboard.

Read the EULA again.

--
Regards,

Richard Urban

aka Crusty (-: Old B@stard

If you knew as much as you think you know,
You would realize that you don't know what you thought you knew!

 

[Bruce Chambers]

At home I have a laptop and a desktop. I was wondering if I could put the
same copy of Windows xp pro on both of them and still be legal. The COA does
say for 1-2 computers, but I'm not quite sure what they mean. Any info would
be great.

Actually, your CoA says "1 - 2 CPUs," which are very different from
computers. A CPU is a chip inside a computer, and some computers have 2
of them.

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

Just 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.

One can buy additional licenses, assuming one already has 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

--

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

 

[Winux P]

The COA will state 1-2 CPU's not computers. If you manage to install the
same copy on two computers, legally Microsoft does not have a leg to stand
on. If in doubt find the EULA paper that came with the software, cross out,
alter and add your own clauses and fax it back to them. This is not just a
legal right but an obligation when presented with a contract, the law (those
who uphold it) would expect you to. This puts the onus on Microsoft to
either agree, alter or reject the "new EULA". If at this stage you only have
the copy of XP on one machine only, they'll have no legal recourse by their
very own virtue against you, other than to put you in a position to return
the product to them and give your money back. Then you go buy another one
and do the same.

Think about it Ingue86, you've read the "You agree to the license agreement
enclosed before installing this product"? Not before you buy it. No way, in
my case I put the box on the counter with the money and asked which one you
want? Usually a what I do to get myself a discount on something, but in this
case its' not just that but a case of, I'm the one giving the money, this is
the deal if you want the sale, I don't agree with the license agreement
enclosed, I can still buy it without agreeing but I can't install it,
horsepucky!!! Microsoft may not be properly represented at the point of sale
but that's not my fault (its' their obligation again). I do however have the
obligation to inform them of the proposed altered agreement. That's where
the fax came in to it. At this stage I've heard nothing back from them I can
assume they agreed. This as silly and funny as it seems covers me legally
substantially. If the money is in your hands Ingue86, then you dictate the
terms of sale, don't worry about protecting Intellectual Property,...etc.
that's the terms of business because its' your right to serve your interests
too.

I worked for a major television station here a while (not that long) back
where Microsoft allowed an extra 150 activations for Windows XP Pro on the
basis that after a meeting which I was present at my boss told the MS Sales
representitive, "you guys are really beginning to annoy (he said sh!t
really) me, what do I want with you idiots anyway?" After a phone call
that's the deal he came back with. Do you want the money? Or do you want the
software? If you want the money then here's the deal. The same can happen
privately as well, you don't have to take MS EULA for granted on reading it
as legally you have the right to alter and even reject contractual
agreements. This is usually done before a sale or business deal. It does not
legitimise MSs' EULA just because you paid for it first even before reading.
nor installing it. That's the hoax they (MS) play on. As far as I'm
concerned Windows XP Pro is my person item that belongs wholly and solely to
me, and for my private use I'll do what ever I want with it. That's the deal
and they have on the agreement I sent to them. It's yet to be rejected.

-Winux P

Hopefully I won't write back from prison, just kidding.

| At home I have a laptop and a desktop. I was wondering if I could put the
| same copy of Windows xp pro on both of them and still be legal. The COA
does
| say for 1-2 computers, but I'm not quite sure what they mean. Any info
would
| be great.

 

[pjp]

Novel approach, I like it

The COA will state 1-2 CPU's not computers. If you manage to install the
same copy on two computers, legally Microsoft does not have a leg to stand
on. If in doubt find the EULA paper that came with the software, cross
out,
alter and add your own clauses and fax it back to them. This is not just a
legal right but an obligation when presented with a contract, the law
(those
who uphold it) would expect you to. This puts the onus on Microsoft to
either agree, alter or reject the "new EULA". If at this stage you only
have
the copy of XP on one machine only, they'll have no legal recourse by
their
very own virtue against you, other than to put you in a position to return
the product to them and give your money back. Then you go buy another one
and do the same.

Think about it Ingue86, you've read the "You agree to the license
agreement
enclosed before installing this product"? Not before you buy it. No way,
in
my case I put the box on the counter with the money and asked which one
you
want? Usually a what I do to get myself a discount on something, but in
this
case its' not just that but a case of, I'm the one giving the money, this
is
the deal if you want the sale, I don't agree with the license agreement
enclosed, I can still buy it without agreeing but I can't install it,
horsepucky!!! Microsoft may not be properly represented at the point of
sale
but that's not my fault (its' their obligation again). I do however have
the
obligation to inform them of the proposed altered agreement. That's where
the fax came in to it. At this stage I've heard nothing back from them I
can
assume they agreed. This as silly and funny as it seems covers me legally
substantially. If the money is in your hands Ingue86, then you dictate the
terms of sale, don't worry about protecting Intellectual Property,...etc.
that's the terms of business because its' your right to serve your
interests
too.

I worked for a major television station here a while (not that long) back
where Microsoft allowed an extra 150 activations for Windows XP Pro on the
basis that after a meeting which I was present at my boss told the MS
Sales
representitive, "you guys are really beginning to annoy (he said sh!t
really) me, what do I want with you idiots anyway?" After a phone call
that's the deal he came back with. Do you want the money? Or do you want
the
software? If you want the money then here's the deal. The same can happen
privately as well, you don't have to take MS EULA for granted on reading
it
as legally you have the right to alter and even reject contractual
agreements. This is usually done before a sale or business deal. It does
not
legitimise MSs' EULA just because you paid for it first even before
reading.
nor installing it. That's the hoax they (MS) play on. As far as I'm
concerned Windows XP Pro is my person item that belongs wholly and solely
to
me, and for my private use I'll do what ever I want with it. That's the
deal
and they have on the agreement I sent to them. It's yet to be rejected.

-Winux P

Hopefully I won't write back from prison, just kidding.

| At home I have a laptop and a desktop. I was wondering if I could put
the
| same copy of Windows xp pro on both of them and still be legal. The COA
does
| say for 1-2 computers, but I'm not quite sure what they mean. Any info
would
| be great.

 

[Guest]

Thanks a lot, that just cleared up a lot of confusion I had. Also, thanks
for the fast response and explanation to my question. Thanks again.