XP Pro on more than 1 home computer

[Tiger]

My computer crashed last week with Windows XP Pro on it -
my former computer tech loaded Windows XP Pro into it. So,
we got a new computer with brand new Windows XP Pro. We
now have 2 computers networked together in our home, and
so as we installed our new Windows XP Pro into the old
computer tonight, we got an error message saying that we
had already installed this particular version.

I totally understand piracy rules and the like (we buy all
of our programs), but I thought that Windows XP was like
old versions of Windows in that you could use it at home
on several computers. Anyone have any suggestions for us?
We can't afford to buy another Windows program as we just
spent a ton of money on our new computer, plus a few small
upgrades to get the old computer up and running. Plus, our
other version of Windows that we paid for last year is in
our crashed hard drive! The only other version that I
have at home is Windows 95 and that is not an option as I
have tons of digital photos and movies of the baby that I
work with.

Please help, Tiger

 

[E McCann]

OK, well, for starters, you *couldn't* load Windows onto multiple systems
(legally) before - MS is just enforcing it now with the whole activation
thing.

But, if I understand what you were saying, you *had* a computer with XP Pro
on it, and bought a new one which *also* has XP Pro on it. You *should*
have two different CD Keys already, then. Make sure you're not using the
same *key* on both (it doesn't care if you use the same disc.)

 

[Guest]

Sorry, forgot to mention that our former computer guy
didn't give us the key - last time we had a problem we
brought it to him, the problem is that he doesn't work at
the same computer place anymore and we don't trust the new
people, so we found a great new computer company. So, I
don't have another key to use and we can't get into our
old hard drive as it's fried!

Help, Tiger

 

[SteveL]

No version of windows allowed or allows you to install on
more then 1 PC not legally, your old tech should have
given you the cd and key code to your old unit. If he did
not contact him to get your copy. If you paid for it you
are intitled to it. Otherwise you will have to purchase
another copy.

 

[Michael D. Alligood]

Let me see if I uderstand your problem correctly. Your old computer with
Windows XP Pro crashed last week. You purchased a new computer with Windows
XP on it as well. If I read this correctly, your old computer already had
Windows XP on it. Did you have to replace the hard drive on the old computer
and need to install an operating system on it? If that is the case than you
could use the disc that your former tech used to install Windows XP onto
your old computer -- assuming he gave you a disc. Now, with that said, it
will still come up and say that this product has already been register. It
will give you an 800 number to call Microsoft. Explain the situation to the
Microsoft tech and they will issue you a product number.

Good luck.

 

[Michael D. Alligood]

The tech did not affix a product key sticker on the side or back of the
computer? Do you still have the Windows XP disc for the old pc?

 

[Kevin]

You must purchase a copy of XP for each machine you wish to install it on.
With the exception of corporate settings where you get a license to install
some certain number of copies of the OS on some certain number of machines.

 

[hermes]

My computer crashed last week with Windows XP Pro on it -
my former computer tech loaded Windows XP Pro into it. So,
we got a new computer with brand new Windows XP Pro. We
now have 2 computers networked together in our home, and
so as we installed our new Windows XP Pro into the old
computer tonight, we got an error message saying that we
had already installed this particular version.

I totally understand piracy rules and the like (we buy all
of our programs), but I thought that Windows XP was like
old versions of Windows in that you could use it at home
on several computers. Anyone have any suggestions for us?
We can't afford to buy another Windows program as we just
spent a ton of money on our new computer, plus a few small
upgrades to get the old computer up and running. Plus, our
other version of Windows that we paid for last year is in
our crashed hard drive! The only other version that I
have at home is Windows 95 and that is not an option as I
have tons of digital photos and movies of the baby that I
work with.

Please help, Tiger

Yes, my suggestion is to educate yourself of your fair use rights.
Power to the people!
http://protectfreedom.tripod.com/
http://microscum.com/mmpafaq/
http://www.windows-sucks.com

--
hermes
DRM sux! Treacherous Computing kills our virtual civil liberties!
http://protectfreedom.tripod.com/index.html
http://www.cl.cam.ac.uk/~rja14/tcpa-faq.html
http://anti-dmca.org/
http://www.eff.org/IP/DMCA/unintended_consequences.php

Windows XP crashed.
I am the Blue Screen of Death.
No one hears your screams

 

[luminos]

Please educate yourself as to fair use. Fair use does NOT mean what you
imply.

 

[Plato]

Please educate yourself as to fair use. Fair use does NOT mean what you
imply.

Well, the page titles speak for themselves. Cant take them seriously.

 

[hermes]

luminos wrote:



Well, the page titles speak for themselves. Cant take them seriously.

<sarcasm>Altering posts, that's the way to have a mature
conversation.</sarcasm>

--
--
hermes
DRM sux! Treacherous Computing kills our virtual civil liberties!
http://protectfreedom.tripod.com/index.html
http://www.cl.cam.ac.uk/~rja14/tcpa-faq.html
http://anti-dmca.org/
http://www.eff.org/IP/DMCA/unintended_consequences.php

Windows XP crashed.
I am the Blue Screen of Death.
No one hears your screams

 

[Bruce Chambers]

Greetings --

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

 

[Plato]

<sarcasm>Altering posts, that's the way to have a mature
conversation.</sarcasm>

Disabling nasty links including spam links when replying is actually
quite proper.

 

[Alex Nichol]

I totally understand piracy rules and the like (we buy all
of our programs), but I thought that Windows XP was like
old versions of Windows in that you could use it at home
on several computers.

Not - they were not like that either. You have *always* had to have
individual copies of windows for each machine. And it is precisely
because so many people were thinking as you were that the activation
system was brought in. You will either have to get hold of the Product
Key that was used for the installation on the old machine, which is
probably transferable, or get a new copy. The key is 25 alpha-numeric
characters in five groups of five and should have been supplied to you.
Look for a label on the back.

Mind you a tech may have used an OEM copy, licensed solely to the
machine where first installed anyway

 

[Ron Martell]

Sorry, forgot to mention that our former computer guy
didn't give us the key - last time we had a problem we
brought it to him, the problem is that he doesn't work at
the same computer place anymore and we don't trust the new
people, so we found a great new computer company. So, I
don't have another key to use and we can't get into our
old hard drive as it's fried!

Sounds like your former computer guy was the one that you shouldn't
have trusted. If he sold you a computer with Windows XP installed on
it then he was required to give you the product key needed to install
that copy of Windows and also some means (either a CD or a hard drive
partition containing the files) of restoring the computer to the "as
new" condition with a fresh copy of Windows in place.

If you did not get this and you were charged for the Windows XP as
part of the computer price then you have been cheated and you should
seek some recourse, either from that company or by contacting
(e-mail address removed) or both.

Good luck


Ron Martell Duncan B.C. Canada
--
Microsoft MVP
On-Line Help Computer Service
http://onlinehelp.bc.ca

"The reason computer chips are so small is computers don't eat much."

 

[hermes]

hermes wrote:



Disabling nasty links including spam links when replying is actually
quite proper.

There was nothing nasty about my links. There is no obscene anything at
my links. Speaking of spamming, who is more guilty of spreading their
link(s) around?

Search string: +Plato +www.bootdisk.com
Results returned: 27,400
http://groups.google.com/groups?q=+plato++www.bootdisk.com&hl=en&lr=&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&scoring=d
<http://groups.google.com/groups?q=+plato++www.bootdisk.com&hl=en&lr=&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&scoring=d>

Search string: +hermes +http://protectfreedom.tripod.com/
Results returned: 52
http://groups.google.com/groups?hl=...+http://protectfreedom.tripod.com&btnG=Search
<http://groups.google.com/groups?hl=...+http://protectfreedom.tripod.com&btnG=Search>

At least the material at my site is original and not plagurized or
copied without giving credit to the original creator(s).

--
hermes
DRM sux! Treacherous Computing kills our virtual civil liberties!
http://protectfreedom.tripod.com/index.html
http://www.cl.cam.ac.uk/~rja14/tcpa-faq.html
http://anti-dmca.org/
http://www.eff.org/IP/DMCA/unintended_consequences.php

Windows XP crashed.
I am the Blue Screen of Death.
No one hears your screams

 

[hermes]

Greetings --

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

Flimsy, legalizing retard! There is nothing in TITLE 17 <index.html>>
CHAPTER 1 <ch1.html>> Sec. 117. that proves your point, Bruce. The
proof is in the pudding, and there is no pudding because M$ has never
taken an individual to court for fairly using Windows XP in the privacy
of their own home.

--
hermes
DRM sux! Treacherous Computing kills our virtual civil liberties!
http://protectfreedom.tripod.com/index.html
http://www.cl.cam.ac.uk/~rja14/tcpa-faq.html
http://anti-dmca.org/
http://www.eff.org/IP/DMCA/unintended_consequences.php

Windows XP crashed.
I am the Blue Screen of Death.
No one hears your screams