XP Pro Activation Question / VPC 2007

[Jeff Lloyd]

I have discovered the value to VPC 2007 and would love to use it as a
"Guinea Pig" installation for software installs before I actually install
them to my host PC to see what adverse effects may result.

So, I took my Dell reinstallation disk and did an install to a VPC virtual
machine and XP wanted to activate - I stopped short because if I activated
the VPC install I was afraid I would compromise my Host machine because it
was installed from the same disk.

Basically, it looks like I would have to buy another license at $260 or
something and that is just not an option, and an unfair one at that I
beleive. Is there any way this could be allowed free of charge since it is
installed on the same computer technically, albeit in a virtual machine, but
the same computer??

Many thanks in advance.

JBL

 

[Bob I]

You are posting to user-to-user newsgroups. And yes according to the
licencing agreement, the VPC is a second install, and requires a second
license. I would suggest you get a Retail XP pro license for this project.

 

[Paul Adare]

I have discovered the value to VPC 2007 and would love to use it as a
"Guinea Pig" installation for software installs before I actually install
them to my host PC to see what adverse effects may result.

So, I took my Dell reinstallation disk and did an install to a VPC virtual
machine and XP wanted to activate - I stopped short because if I activated
the VPC install I was afraid I would compromise my Host machine because it
was installed from the same disk.

It more than likely would not have activated anyways. Since your computer
is from Dell your XP install disk is likely BIOS locked and will only
activate on a Dell BIOS. The VPC does not have a Dell BIOS.

Basically, it looks like I would have to buy another license at $260 or
something and that is just not an option, and an unfair one at that I
beleive. Is there any way this could be allowed free of charge since it is
installed on the same computer technically, albeit in a virtual machine, but
the same computer??

You are licensed for a single install, you may not like it, but that's the
way Microsoft's licensing works and that's what you agreed to when you
setup your Dell in the first place.

I've set follow-ups back to virtualpc.
--
Paul Adare
MVP - Virtual Machines
http://www.identit.ca
Real time: Here and now, as opposed to fake time, which only occurs there
and then.

 

[Malke]

I have discovered the value to VPC 2007 and would love to use it as a
"Guinea Pig" installation for software installs before I actually install
them to my host PC to see what adverse effects may result.

So, I took my Dell reinstallation disk and did an install to a VPC virtual
machine and XP wanted to activate - I stopped short because if I activated
the VPC install I was afraid I would compromise my Host machine because it
was installed from the same disk.

Basically, it looks like I would have to buy another license at $260 or
something and that is just not an option, and an unfair one at that I
beleive. Is there any way this could be allowed free of charge since it is
installed on the same computer technically, albeit in a virtual machine, but
the same computer??

You need a valid license for any operating system installed on a virtual
machine. Operating systems created in a VM are just as real as operating
systems running on a real, standalone computer. If you want to use a
Microsoft operating system in a VM, you need to purchase a copy exactly
the same as if you were installing it on a separate computer. For all
intents and purposes, a VM *is* a separate computer. "Fair" doesn't
enter into it. The Dell version of XP is tied to the original hardware
(the Dell computer) on which it is installed and can't be used for a VM.


Malke

 

[Colin Barnhorst]

From my XP Pro (retail) EULA:

"1.1 Installation and use. You may install, use, access, display and run ONE
copy of the Software on a single computer, such as a workstation, terminal
or other device ("Workstation Computer")."

One copy is one copy.