Windows XP Licensing

[Guest]

I have a question about licensing.

I have about 50 PCs in my environment. All Windows XP. All are HP Computers
that came with the XP on them already. So I am compliant, but I periodically
reformat these PCs with the same "HP Restore CD", I don't have a restore CD
for each PC. So when I do this, the same XP product ID is on more than one
PC. Is this OK to do, or do I need to change the product ID on these PCs? It
would be rediculous if I had to reformat all of these PCs just because the
product IDs.

I have a similar question with MS Office. I have 50 RETAIL licenses, but
normally use the same product ID when doing installations.

Any help would be great... thanks.

 

[Snake Oil]

Most computers normally have the XP product key with certificate
attached to the computer case somewhere. I suspect that this should
suffice as proof that XP is legit even if one or more computers
(technically) share the same product key. I don't think that Microsoft
would make a big issue over this.

 

[GreenieLeBrun]

I have a question about licensing.

I have about 50 PCs in my environment. All Windows XP. All are HP Computers
that came with the XP on them already. So I am compliant, but I periodically
reformat these PCs with the same "HP Restore CD", I don't have a restore CD
for each PC. So when I do this, the same XP product ID is on more than one
PC. Is this OK to do, or do I need to change the product ID on these PCs? It
would be rediculous if I had to reformat all of these PCs just because the
product IDs.

I have a similar question with MS Office. I have 50 RETAIL licenses, but
normally use the same product ID when doing installations.

Any help would be great... thanks.

Each machine should use its own Product key otherwise you will not be
able to activate the software (this may also apply to Office depending
on which version you are using).

Windows XP Product Key Modifier
http://www.majorgeeks.com/download2745.html

The magical Jellybean key finder (look under Options to change the key)
http://www.magicaljellybean.com/keyfinder.shtml

Microsoft have released a Product Key Update Tool
http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=50346&clcid=0x409

 

[Larry Samuels]

Not with BIOS locked HPs--the same factory key is used on all recovery cds.
It's legal.

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