I have a home computer (pc) with windows xp on it. I just bought a pc to use at the shop with my mac. DO I have to buy another copy of XP for the new one, or can I use the copy I bought for the home computer?
Posted by Glenn Taylor (Member # 162) on :
I believe so. You have to register the software everytime you install it or it will time out after so many days.
Posted by John Deaton III (Member # 925) on :
Geeze. That is so lame.
Posted by Robb Lowe (Member # 2121) on :
well, you dont HAVE to, but you are suppose to.
Should you decide to go the legitimate route, you can pick up a cheap version at most computer oriented websites. "OEM" versions are just the cd, but they are fully legit, and made by MS. You dont get the pretty box, that you'd just throw away anyway... (expect 1/3rd the shelf price or so)
Only a fool pays retail for anything Posted by Bruce Evans (Member # 44) on :
um, yes. Your copy of windows is supposed to only be for one computer. Unless of course you distroyed the other machine and are only using the other one now.
The problem that your gonna have is with the Windows XP registration system. When you install it and then go through the registration process (which you'll be forced to do after 30 days), windows gathers up information about the hardware configuration of your machine and then sends that info to Microsoft who then validates your copy of windows. Now if you try to put it on another machine, Microsfot will compare it with what they have on record. If it looks like a totally different machine, it's not gonna validate. I believe that they allow some variance of the hardware, because of upgrades and such.......but they are going to want to see a configuration that looks real close to the original. At least this is the way I understand it.
There are ways around this, but I'm not even gonna go there.
Posted by Bill Cosharek (Member # 1274) on :
It used to be (it is with w95) but don't know if it still is, that your license for 1 copy of Windows was good for 2 computers; if 1 was a laptop & the other a desktop. Don't know whether future versions of Windows carried that same agreement. Check your EULA.
Posted by Mark Smith (Member # 298) on :
I believe Bruce is right on this one but with the addition that MS' registration server will allow up to 3 different machines to register it before they get "ornery."
Posted by Bill Modzel (Member # 22) on :
...and that John, is one more reason to keep your Mac!
[ March 07, 2003, 05:19 PM: Message edited by: Bill Modzel ]
Posted by Bob Rochon (Member # 30) on :
Actually John you can buy a licensce from Microsoft directly and use the same cd its cheaper than buying another disk.
I'd try to install it and activate it, I accidentally did this in January, I thought it would kick me out to an operator but it activated it on my laptop no problem.
Posted by John Deaton III (Member # 925) on :
Wont hurt to try, huh bob. And Bill, I got the mac right there on the desk. Ive got the best of both worlds now. I wouldnt take anything for my G3. Its a workhorse. Just thought it would be a good idea to have both systems and I got a good deal on a pc clone. I hope they can get along.
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