Windows XP Professional OEM "2 CPU's"

[theTIK]

This is what the sticker with the cd-key on it that came with my windows says. Whats does the "2 cpus" mean? I would love this to mean that I can run it on two different computers at once. However, I doubt i'm that lucky.

And I have another question, and i'm not asking so me or anyone could break the law, it is purely for educational purposes, trying to understand how microsoft does business. An OEM version is legally supposed to be married to your motherboard. However, does microsoft have anyway of verifing it is the same motherboard in their computers, or do they just hope that people are honest about their hardware changes when they call in? Again, just trying to understand the company here.

[Cardboard Hammer]

You're restricted to only one machine, but it is allowed to have up to 2 CPUs. XP home only supports single processor machines.

[agent420]

Originally posted by theTIK
An OEM version is legally supposed to be married to your motherboard. However, does microsoft have anyway of verifing it is the same motherboard in their computers, or do they just hope that people are honest about their hardware changes when they call in? Again, just trying to understand the company here. The activation code you send to Microsoft is calculated by the 'fingerprint' of the different hardware items that make up your pc. If you ever need to re-activate, they can determine what hardware was changed by math done on the code. I'm not sure if this process can identify 2 motherboards of the same model, but it can determine one motherboard model/manufacturer from another.

If you think the potential exists that you will be changing mobo's at some time, you may want to see if the conventional retail license suits you better.

[Josh_B]

Originally posted by agent420
The activation code you send to Microsoft is calculated by the 'fingerprint' of the different hardware items that make up your pc. If you ever need to re-activate, they can determine what hardware was changed by math done on the code. I'm not sure if this process can identify 2 motherboards of the same model, but it can determine one motherboard model/manufacturer from another.

If you think the potential exists that you will be changing mobo's at some time, you may want to see if the conventional retail license suits you better.

This is true, however, I've upgraded my mobo before, and reactivated my machine via MS tech support, and they did not seem too bothered by it.

When in doubt, consult the EULA.

[ameoba]

Just to refresh my memory, "2 CPUs" in XP means 2 physical CPUs, even if they both have HyperThreading. "2 CPUs" in 2K means 2 physical CPUs unless you've got hyperthreading, in which case you just get the one?

[hulksterjoe]

2 cpu's are the physical chips themselves.. hyperthreading only makes the computer "think" there are more because it provides more "access paths" Threads to the CPU...

[IceTeaBag]

So theoretically, wouldn't a computer send data to Microsoft saying you're using XP on a computer with four processors if you're running a rig with 2 HT-enabled Xeons?

[SJConsultant]

Originally posted by IceTeaBag
So theoretically, wouldn't a computer send data to Microsoft saying you're using XP on a computer with four processors if you're running a rig with 2 HT-enabled Xeons?

AFAIK activation does not send a list of hardware to MS, only a hash value that was calculated from the hardware on the machine.

[GreNME]

All that is sent is a hash. The hash has nothing about personal information, nor even what hardware is on the machine. It's all about a complex "number system." For a simplification of the system:
look here. (http://www.hardforum.com/showthread.php?s=&postid=1025697027#post1025697027)

[frag85]

when i added a HDD and replaced my CPU it had me reactivate, except i had to wait for a person b/c i had already activated XP 5 other times(because of reformats). That is very anoying. the last time i had to call, i called 3x, and 2x the person told me i have to purchase another CD key!! eventually i got it through their head that i just replaced my CPU, why does that count as a MAJOR hardware upgrade. i replaced a mobo, vidcard and sound card before and it just had me reactivate, no phone calls.

when i asked to speak w/ a manager or somone else i was on hold for 30 minutes before i hung up(luckely i had a friend over and we were downing beers like crazy w/ speaker phone on ).:D

[GreNME]

Read my link. Changing a CPU alone would not require a new activation, and five times alone would not make you get the old "buy a new one" line from the phone call. Either you were pulling and putting in lots of other stuff, or you did the whole "six month clean install" schedule for reinstalls of the whole OS, in which case you shot your own self in the foot.

[frag85]

Originally posted by GreNME
Read my link. Changing a CPU alone would not require a new activation, and five times alone would not make you get the old "buy a new one" line from the phone call. Either you were pulling and putting in lots of other stuff, or you did the whole "six month clean install" schedule for reinstalls of the whole OS, in which case you shot your own self in the foot.

i know that, i think somthing might be messed up with the hardware logs b/c every few weeks i'm asked to reactivage, only had to call when i changed a few pieces of hardware.

after 5 pieces, its pretty much a new computer.

one of my friends argued for 4 months(of which he ran linux b/c he couldn't get xp to work), and was going to goto court, if not for the fees and the fact that it was MS(lots of $$), b/c he rebuilt his computer, only kept a CD burner and DVD drive, and they refused to reactivate it, he ended up just getting a "grey area" copy of XP.

[GreNME]

It's not asking you to reactivate for no reason. Either you're changing something, or you have hardware problems and need to call the MS support line and ask what options you can try (not for the hardware, but for getting "random" reactivation notices).

[Josh_B]

Activation is bullshit, and is the exact reason I refuse to use a non-corporate XP edition.

I should not have to ask "permission" from MS to use an OS I legally purchased.

[GreNME]

And I'm sure you legally purchased a Volume License copy of XP.

[IceTeaBag]

I presonally think it's getting a bit out of hand. When somebody is unable to format their HD or upgrade their machine as much as they want without getting hassled by the maker of their Operating System, something's not right.

[/opinion]

[GreNME]

More than 90% of the people out there a) don't consider it a hassle or b) never need to reformat. It's really annoying when enthusiasts think that not only are they the majority (which you are not), but that you are the only part companies should cater to (which you are not).

[frag85]

Originally posted by GreNME
More than 90% of the people out there a) don't consider it a hassle or b) never need to reformat. It's really annoying when enthusiasts think that not only are they the majority (which you are not), but that you are the only part companies should cater to (which you are not).

i agree with that, i know i am in a minority of people, but if i didn't know how the activation works(and didn't speak to somone else there), i'da been out the money for a new licence, and if i didnt' know about that, i would just buy a new copy, and if i didn't know where to get stuff online, i'd pay full retail upfront at a store.

i know a few people (at least 99% of people i know that use windows that ARE NOT the enthusiasts) and at least half of them find this anoying either a) end up switching to mac and then bitch because of the lack of upgrade hardware/programs for it. or b)think that it is a big waste of time, and money because microsoft has to pay people to deal with it. plus when a non "enthusiast" reformats, they are worried and have to deal with enough new things that having their windows work right is the last thing they want/think they have to deal with.


what they should do, is unless the WHOLE computer is different, as in no hardware matches the past registration, the key should be matched to the hardware which is locked down by a hash, similar to the hash for cd-key'd games, where each piece of hardware already has a serial # that is unique to that indivudual board, or drive ect...be stored with the system profile. this would stop pirating of windows(either a good or bad thing depending how u look at it) from being installed on multiple computers that have the same hardware.

edit: but there are ways even then to trick the system. but make it so only one copy can be installed at a time, like if somone put 4 pieces of hardware into 4 computers, then each computer has one piece of original hardware, with the unique serial number for each. get the picture?

[GreNME]

Then send an e-mail to wish@microsoft.com or go to their feedback form (http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?pr=feedback) and explain it. A lot of people want their cake and eat it too. Try telling the baker.

[frag85]

i did that, and i alreayd have at least 10 other people i know doing similar.

info on the net sure does travel fast. :D