Windows XP Pro activation

  • Thread starter Thread starter Brandon
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Brandon

Can I install and activate Windows XP Pro on two
computers with the same Product Key? I've read the facts
http://www.microsoft.com/piracy/activation_faq.mspx

But it remains unclear whether or not I can use the same
Product Key for 2 seperate personal computers. After
installing, you get 30 days to activate, and if it's
invalid it will lock up the operating system, right?

Well, the key is legit (I bought it at school) but I'd
like to know if I can use it for both of my computers (at
the same time).

Thanks for the help,

Brandon
 
Hi,

No, you can't use one key for two system. The XP license is only good for
one computer. If you want to run it on two computers, you either need to
buy another XP or contact MS to buy multiple license Key, which I hear costs
more then just buying another copy.

Jeff
 
Brandon said:
Can I install and activate Windows XP Pro on two
computers with the same Product Key? I've read the facts
http://www.microsoft.com/piracy/activation_faq.mspx

But it remains unclear whether or not I can use the same
Product Key for 2 seperate personal computers. After
installing, you get 30 days to activate, and if it's
invalid it will lock up the operating system, right?

Well, the key is legit (I bought it at school) but I'd
like to know if I can use it for both of my computers (at
the same time).

Thanks for the help,

Brandon
Click to expand...

No. One computer, one license.
 
So why does it say this on the Product Activation Facts
page: "Per the EULA, installing on more PCs than the EULA
allows would be in violation of the EULA. Technically,
product activation does not limit the number of PCs the
software can be installed on. It would be possible
technically to install the software on, for example, 100
PCs. Activation would fail though on 99 (98 for Office XP
or Office 2003) of those 100 PCs thereby limiting the
usefulness of the illegal installation. Outside of an
activation attempt, Microsoft does not know how many PCs
Windows XP, Office XP family product, or Office 2003
System product have been installed on."

100 - 98 = 2

So what is the deal?
 
So why does it say this on the Product Activation Facts
page: "Per the EULA, installing on more PCs than the EULA
allows would be in violation of the EULA. Technically,
product activation does not limit the number of PCs the
software can be installed on. It would be possible
technically to install the software on, for example, 100
PCs. Activation would fail though on 99 (98 for Office XP
or Office 2003) of those 100 PCs thereby limiting the
usefulness of the illegal installation. Outside of an
activation attempt, Microsoft does not know how many PCs
Windows XP, Office XP family product, or Office 2003
System product have been installed on."

100 - 98 = 2

So what is the deal?
 
Listen!

Legally you cannot install the Windows XP operating system on more than
one computer. Technically YES you can install the Windows XP operating
system on more than one computer, whether it be laptop/desktop.
 
In
Brandon said:
So why does it say this on the Product Activation Facts
page: "Per the EULA, installing on more PCs than the EULA
allows would be in violation of the EULA. Technically,
product activation does not limit the number of PCs the
software can be installed on. It would be possible
technically to install the software on, for example, 100
PCs. Activation would fail though on 99 (98 for Office XP
or Office 2003) of those 100 PCs thereby limiting the
usefulness of the illegal installation. Outside of an
activation attempt, Microsoft does not know how many PCs
Windows XP, Office XP family product, or Office 2003
System product have been installed on."

100 - 98 = 2

So what is the deal?
Click to expand...

Iffice can be applied to your desktop and laptop per the EULA, but Win XP is
one machine only.
Office 100 - 98 - 2
Win XP 100 - 99 = 1
 
Brandon said:
So why does it say this on the Product Activation Facts
page: "Per the EULA, installing on more PCs than the EULA
allows would be in violation of the EULA. Technically,
product activation does not limit the number of PCs the
software can be installed on. It would be possible
technically to install the software on, for example, 100
PCs. Activation would fail though on 99 (98 for Office XP
or Office 2003) of those 100 PCs thereby limiting the
usefulness of the illegal installation. Outside of an
activation attempt, Microsoft does not know how many PCs
Windows XP, Office XP family product, or Office 2003
System product have been installed on."

100 - 98 = 2

So what is the deal?
Click to expand...


If you agree to the EULA by clicking the agree button when you install XP,
you agreed that your CD
license key is valid for one installation of XP. This has been the same for
Windows and NT since Win 3.0/ Win/9X/Me/2000.
The XP activation procedure makes the user aware of what they agreed to when
they installed Windows XP.
It is also stated on the Retail box that the license is for use on one [1]
PC.
Activation was implemented to make the user aware of the licensing agreement
to install XP, it was not engineered to make it impossible to defeat
activation.
You can access the EULA by typing WINVER from Start>Run.
--
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
 
Brandon said:
Can I install and activate Windows XP Pro on two
computers with the same Product Key? I've read the facts
http://www.microsoft.com/piracy/activation_faq.mspx

But it remains unclear whether or not I can use the same
Product Key for 2 seperate personal computers. After
installing, you get 30 days to activate, and if it's
invalid it will lock up the operating system, right?

Well, the key is legit (I bought it at school) but I'd
like to know if I can use it for both of my computers (at
the same time).

Thanks for the help,

Brandon
Click to expand...

How can this possibly be "unclear?"

Just as it says, right on the box, you'll need to purchase a
separate WinXP license for each computer on which you install it.

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.

You can buy additional licenses, assuming you have 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
 
Brandon said:
So why does it say this on the Product Activation Facts
page: "Per the EULA, installing on more PCs than the EULA
allows would be in violation of the EULA. Technically,
product activation does not limit the number of PCs the
software can be installed on. It would be possible
technically to install the software on, for example, 100
PCs. Activation would fail though on 99 (98 for Office XP
or Office 2003) of those 100 PCs thereby limiting the
usefulness of the illegal installation.
Click to expand...

I suggest that you see if this school your attending offers any
classes in reading comprehension. Which part of "illegal
installation" is unclear to you?

--

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
 
Brandon said:
100 - 98 = 2
Click to expand...

That equation, as the paragraph you quoted very clearly states,
applies to Office XP. It has nothing whatsoever to do with Windows XP.
Does your school offer a remedial reading course? If so, sign up for
it.



--

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
 
Brandon said:
Can I install and activate Windows XP Pro on two
computers with the same Product Key? I've read the facts
http://www.microsoft.com/piracy/activation_faq.mspx

But it remains unclear whether or not I can use the same
Product Key for 2 seperate personal computers. After
installing, you get 30 days to activate, and if it's
invalid it will lock up the operating system, right?

Well, the key is legit (I bought it at school) but I'd
like to know if I can use it for both of my computers (at
the same time).

Thanks for the help,

Brandon
Click to expand...


Come to an informed decision on your own.

http://microscum.com/mmpafaq/

--
Peace!
Kurt
Self-anointed Moderator
microscum.pubic.windowsexp.gonorrhea
http://microscum.com
"Trustworthy Computing" is only another example of an Oxymoron!
"Produkt-Aktivierung macht frei!"
 
Brandon said:
Can I install and activate Windows XP Pro on two
computers with the same Product Key? I've read the facts
http://www.microsoft.com/piracy/activation_faq.mspx

But it remains unclear whether or not I can use the same
Product Key for 2 seperate personal computers. After
installing, you get 30 days to activate, and if it's
invalid it will lock up the operating system, right?
Click to expand...

No you may not. that is the whole point - to bring it home to you that
a copy of windows is supplied under license to install on one machine at
any time, and one only. See also www.aumha.org/win5/a/wpa.htm
 
Brandon said:
So why does it say this on the Product Activation Facts
page: "Per the EULA, installing on more PCs than the EULA
allows would be in violation of the EULA. Technically,
product activation does not limit the number of PCs the
software can be installed on.
Click to expand...

What you can do Technically is left flexible to meet cases of - for
example - people who need to remove from one machine to another. But to
install on several machines simultaneously would require telling a
direct lie, that this was not what you were doing. Microsoft has a
degree of faith in the general honesty of its customers
 
Come to an informed decision on your own.

http://microscum.com/mmpafaq/
Click to expand...

[De-lurks]

Kurt, you're probably going to have to revisit your stance on this in
light of the Blizzard v. bnetd decision. The judge in that case
*completely* upheld Blizzard's EULA, dismissing every defence bnetd came
up with. While I think the ruling is disastrous (and question the quality
of bnetd's legal representation), it does make the law of the land pretty
clear now. It's everything the MS-apologists have been saying: EULA's
are enforceable, you only own a "license to use", etc. (I think the judge
just completely gutted Section 117 of copyright law with that part of it,
and that's the part that really *has* to get overturned on appeal or MS
and the rest of the software industry is going to have a field day with
EULAs from here on out.)

Check Slashdot's page for Saturday, or the "Your Rights Online" section.
 
Ian said:
Come to an informed decision on your own.

http://microscum.com/mmpafaq/
Click to expand...

[De-lurks]

Kurt, you're probably going to have to revisit your stance on this in
light of the Blizzard v. bnetd decision. The judge in that case
*completely* upheld Blizzard's EULA, dismissing every defence bnetd
came up with. While I think the ruling is disastrous (and question
the quality of bnetd's legal representation), it does make the law of
the land pretty clear now. It's everything the MS-apologists have
been saying: EULA's are enforceable, you only own a "license to use",
etc. (I think the judge just completely gutted Section 117 of
copyright law with that part of it, and that's the part that really
*has* to get overturned on appeal or MS and the rest of the software
industry is going to have a field day with EULAs from here on out.)

Check Slashdot's page for Saturday, or the "Your Rights Online"
section.
Click to expand...

Without even looking I can tell you that this has little impact on my
opinion.

1.) bnetd didn't purchase a retail product from Blizzard.

2.) I have always maintained that the EULA is a legal commerial use
license, since I became aware of ProCD v. Zeidenberg, which I do mention in
my FAQ. I was the one that found it and showed it to this group years ago.

3.) While I don't really mention much about "fair use" in my FAQ, previous
precedent will shows that copyright owners don't have the right to limit it.

But thanks for bringing it to my attention, I'll take an in-depth look at it
after Bush loses in November. Right now, I have a much more dangerous fish
to fry than Microsoft.

--
Peace!
Kurt
Self-anointed Moderator
microscum.pubic.windowsexp.gonorrhea
http://microscum.com
"Trustworthy Computing" is only another example of an Oxymoron!
"Produkt-Aktivierung macht frei!"
 
Michael said:
Right now, I have a much more dangerous fish

You're excused. ;-)
Click to expand...

LOL! Thanks Mike!

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

1.) bnetd didn't purchase a retail product from Blizzard.
Click to expand...

Yes they did. How else would they have gotten copies of the game to
be able to sniff their network traffic? This was the core of Blizzard's
case -- that because the defendants (1) purchased their copies of their
games and agreed to the EULAs therein and (2) agreed to the battle.net
TOU, they were bound by the terms therein, one of which was "no reverse
engineering". This is why I question bnetd's representation -- they
*stipulated* they had *agreed* to those licenses.
2.) I have always maintained that the EULA is a legal commerial use
license, since I became aware of ProCD v. Zeidenberg, which I do mention in
my FAQ. I was the one that found it and showed it to this group years ago.
Click to expand...

bnetd wasn't commercial either. And the judge went far enough to state
that EULAs are enforceable under the UCC, the first-sale doctrine does not
apply, and the defendants owned nothing but licenses to use the software.
3.) While I don't really mention much about "fair use" in my FAQ, previous
precedent will shows that copyright owners don't have the right to limit it.
Click to expand...

Reverse engineering is a fair use. Undisputed. Yet the judge still said
that the recipients of the work could be, and were, bound by the EULA not
to engage in it.

I hate the ruling, and really hope it gets overturned, but there it is.
 
Sorry Brandon. Though I agree with you. It is against the Law.
But Just be thankful. That today when you go out side you still only need 1
rake to rake both front and back yards. Maybe Car companys should allow only
1 person per vehicle. and sell adational Seating license for a second
passanger. Maybe all the stores should charge $5 license fee for parking.
Ecectic company should charge us for every outlet we use. seperate license
for each wall outlet. Water company should issue license for each toilet and
for each Reformated/Flush an additional license reuse fee be added. when you
install the tire on your car they need to be license to there location on the
car. If you move them they need to be relicensed with additional fees. If you
get a flat you must first call in for a license for the spare to move it to
the flats location and might as well get the new license for the flat being
moved to the trunk. Your Vacum cleaner is license for the great room only.
need another license for all the other rooms. That new music Cd you bought
that you played in your car. has to stay there now. and you need another copy
to play it in the house. Hopefully you only have 1 cd player because you'll
need a license for each player to play that CD on it. DVD the same. VHS the
same.

as you can see I don't agree with this one copy to one computer. It should
be one copy per family/ Household
But since it isn't where is the cheapest place to get windows XP pro or just
the key ??
 
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