Could i use my own original WinXP for 2 of my computers?

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Saeid

Limp Gawd
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Hi,
I wanted to check something before i do it.
Just put together a pc for my sister, and i wanted to know if i could use my own WindowsXP SP2 for her. And my concern is that would it cause a conflict or would the microsoft originality software say that its pirated?

Thanks
 
One key = one machine, so the simple answer is "No" in a strictly legal sense. Activation will kick in if you try to install the same copy of XP on multiple machines and since that key has probably already been used to activate Windows, it'll simply deny access to Windows Update availability and software downloads.

Hope this helps...
bb
 
If its the OEM version you arent allowed to buy a new computer and install it on that instead of your current machine but you are allowed a number of upgrades. for example: A network card change counts high apparently.
In reality it should work on a new machine but you use up quite a few of the allowed changes before the licence expires.

In your case, I imagine that the component change count that it looks for to count towards deactivation will clock up faster using the same Windows key on 2 PC's.
Thats assuming MS dont collar you for doing it and disable your licence!
 
I disagree... I've been able to install the exact same version of Windows XP on two machines using the exact same key, without issues or a phone call to Micro$oft. Without the aid of cracks or anything else illegal. Though according to Micro$oft, you're not legally allowed to install it on more then one machine, but if I can do it without cracks or anything illegal, why not... Secondly, I also own an OEM version of Windows XP and I can install it on other computers fine. I threw away my old Compaq that Windows XP (OEM) came with years ago...
 
PanzerKrieg13 said:
I disagree...
Click to expand...

Your fine to disagree, however as you stated it is not "legal" and thus is the appropriate answer to the OP.

But your also admitting to software piracy which is not allowed to be discussed on this board.

As an FYI you don't "own" the software. You are licensed to use the software according to MS Eula.

What you can do and what you should do are usually two different things. ;)
 
Long storry short, yes. Legal anwser no. M$ won't be happy. I called him (M$) as I reformated both my computers and they both gave me the over user key issue. I called the phone number and told them my key and they both gave me auth keys and they were both activated in under 15 minutes.
 
sdk said:
Long storry short, yes. Legal anwser no. M$ won't be happy. I called him (M$) as I reformated both my computers and they both gave me the over user key issue. I called the phone number and told them my key and they both gave me auth keys and they were both activated in under 15 minutes.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the reply everyone :)

SDK: when u say u formatted both PC's and called MS because the one key that you had wouldnt install on both machines? So u called them and they gave u seperate keys, even though u only had one??? :S
Thanks
 
If it won't activate, call MS and tell them you formatted your hard drive and now it doesn't work. They will give you an activation code to get it working.

Not exactly legal, but it works.
 
Shroomie said:
If it won't activate, call MS and tell them you formatted your hard drive and now it doesn't work. They will give you an activation code to get it working.

Not exactly legal, but it works.
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thats not legal at all. and suggesting such things on the forum could get you banned. just FYI
 
I called and told him that I reformated my computer and I was getting the error. He gave me a activation code, my brother called about 45 minutes later as I reformated his computer but I made him activate it on his own and he didn't have any problems with him. I don't know what he said, but I dosent seem like they log Key's or Calls from a key so see if someone is calling again.

They gave me two activation codes from one key for both my computers which had been reformated.

Anyways, my advice is to call and see what you can do or go buy another copy of XP.
 
Its not legal at all, i would go out and buy another xp so you have the code, you can get them on newegg cheap or any retail store. Better be safe than sorry
 
Like previously stated, OEM key = one computer with aloted changes. However, doesnt the retail version of XP allow you to install it on 2 personal computers if you own them both?...i dont know because ive never had a retail version...someone enlighten the rest of us.
 
Octave said:
Like previously stated, OEM key = one computer with aloted changes. However, doesnt the retail version of XP allow you to install it on 2 personal computers if you own them both?...i dont know because ive never had a retail version...someone enlighten the rest of us.
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No, retail is still one license per machine.
 
How about we actually post some links to microsoft stating these facts. I too was under the impression that you could install a retail copy on more then one computer...
 
Flyboat said:
That is alot of ceritifications.
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The first one is not a cert, and i am the IT Manager / Enterprise Administrator for the Americas, i overlook over 1400 pcs and countless server's and other networking equipment in North America, South America and Canada. Thats just 3 countries, our company is in 14. I have to stay on top of things and know as much as i can if i want to keep my job ;)
 
Seanpr123 said:
How about we actually post some links to microsoft stating these facts. I too was under the impression that you could install a retail copy on more then one computer (whether that be 2 or 4, not sure)
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That is incorrect.
 
i install my dell OEM Windows XP SP2 on as many computers as I need. Activation works fine, installs all at the same time, updates work great, no problems.

it works, just do it :)
 
From the Windows XP Home EULA:

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/home/eula.mspx

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"). The Software may not be used by more than one processor at any one time on any single Workstation Computer.


The Windows XP one is identical, except it states "two processors" instead of one.
 
brucedeluxe169 said:
i install my dell OEM Windows XP SP2 on as many computers as I need. Activation works fine, installs all at the same time, updates work great, no problems.

it works, just do it :)
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It's illegal.

It's a copyright violation. Pure and simple.

You *can*, but it's illegal.
 
-(Xyphox)- said:
The first one is not a cert, and i am the IT Manager / Enterprise Administrator for the Americas, i overlook over 1400 pcs and countless server's and other networking equipment in North America, South America and Canada. Thats just 3 countries, our company is in 14. I have to stay on top of things and know as much as i can if i want to keep my job ;)
Click to expand...

You are the enlight one. My old IT manager thought hardforum.com is a porno forum.
 
Flyboat said:
You are the enlight one. My old IT manager thought hardforum.com is a porno forum.
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Na, why not share knowledge, i do a lot of help over in the networking thread, Its always good to share what you know and help others :)
 
I bought XP (retail version) the day it was released. You can only have it on ONE machine. However you can install it over an over on the SAME machine of on a Completely different machine as long as it is only installed on ONE machine at a time. OEM as has been pointed out is different.

This last re-install (today) was different from any previous reinstall. Windows did the usual activation bubble, and updated a bit as well (I update to SP2 immediately with an installer). After it updated to a certian point it no longer allowed anymore updates untill it was activated, but offered the ability to purchase a key for Windows directly from Microsoft online.

Anyone else ever see this before?
 
Rev. said:
I bought XP (retail version) the day it was released. You can only have it on ONE machine. However you can install it over an over on the SAME machine of on a Completely different machine as long as it is only installed on ONE machine at a time. OEM as has been pointed out is different.

This last re-install (today) was different from any previous reinstall. Windows did the usual activation bubble, and updated a bit as well (I update to SP2 immediately with an installer). After it updated to a certian point it no longer allowed anymore updates untill it was activated, but offered the ability to purchase a key for Windows directly from Microsoft online.

Anyone else ever see this before?
Click to expand...
Nope, never heard of it in fact. But then again, most of the winxp installs i do are VPL licensing :eek:. Horray university :)
 
Rev. said:
I bought XP (retail version) the day it was released. You can only have it on ONE machine. However you can install it over an over on the SAME machine of on a Completely different machine as long as it is only installed on ONE machine at a time. OEM as has been pointed out is different.

This last re-install (today) was different from any previous reinstall. Windows did the usual activation bubble, and updated a bit as well (I update to SP2 immediately with an installer). After it updated to a certian point it no longer allowed anymore updates untill it was activated, but offered the ability to purchase a key for Windows directly from Microsoft online.

Anyone else ever see this before?
Click to expand...
Yup.
 
You know I've never had MS ask if my version was OEM or not, I know they can tell by the key but when I rebuilt my Emachine, ie different processor, different mb, different gpu, everything except the case, all they wanted to know is if it was installed on more than one machine? No hassles gave me the activation code over the phone. So if MS makes different rules for OEM licenses why don't they follow them?
 
popgoestheweasel said:
You know I've never had MS ask if my version was OEM or not, I know they can tell by the key but when I rebuilt my Emachine, ie different processor, different mb, different gpu, everything except the case, all they wanted to know is if it was installed on more than one machine? No hassles gave me the activation code over the phone. So if MS makes different rules for OEM licenses why don't they follow them?
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MS is pretty good about activating keys as long as they don't apear to be pirate(ie if you call to activate a key that has been activated 20 times in the last month). The only times I've been hasseled by them were when I had a fake xp disk(well fake coa on the machine) and when I tried to reactivate a server where it apears someone wrote down the key off it and used it somewhere elce.
 
Ok 2 more questions:

1) if two different computers share the same legit key, but one of them was activated over the telephone, would both computers work completely fine and get all the updates even if both are online at the same time getting updated at the same time?

2) what does it mean when on the product key tag it says "Microsoft Windows XP Professional 1 - 2CPU" ??? Does that mean it that, that key can be used on upto 2 cpu's?

Thanks.
 
Saeid said:
Ok 2 more questions:

1) if two different computers share the same legit key, but one of them was activated over the telephone, would both computers work completely fine and get all the updates even if both are online at the same time getting updated at the same time?
Click to expand...

If they are both activated, then you are fine, but just be aware that with hardware differences and reformatting may require you to call MS more quickly than having two keys on two different machines,

Saeid said:
2) what does it mean when on the product key tag it says "Microsoft Windows XP Professional 1 - 2CPU" ??? Does that mean it that, that key can be used on upto 2 cpu's?

Thanks.
Click to expand...

It means the number of CPUs in a *single* computer. 2 CPU does not mean two computers, rather it means a dual processor computer regardless of the number of cores, hyperthreading, etc.
 
Saeid said:
Ok 2 more questions:

1) if two different computers share the same legit key, but one of them was activated over the telephone, would both computers work completely fine and get all the updates even if both are online at the same time getting updated at the same time?

2) what does it mean when on the product key tag it says "Microsoft Windows XP Professional 1 - 2CPU" ??? Does that mean it that, that key can be used on upto 2 cpu's?

Thanks.
Click to expand...

1) I don't think it would mess up. In theory ms could change it so it does though.

2) Means 2 sockets in the machine. Pretty much it means that xp pro supports 2 cpus. XP home only supports only 1 cpu. Cpus are counted by the sockets/slots. Ie a dual core processor is 2 "cpus" but it is counted as 1 as it is on one chip and is in one socket. Ie 2 dual core chips have 4 "cpus" but are counted as 2 as they are in 2 sockets(since each socket has a dual core chip in it)
 
Saeid said:
Ok 2 more questions:

1) if two different computers share the same legit key, but one of them was activated over the telephone, would both computers work completely fine and get all the updates even if both are online at the same time getting updated at the same time?
Click to expand...
It's illegal.

Microsoft could possibly use the Windows Genuine Advantage tool to revoke your single license, for instance.

Chances are you'll never get caught, but..
 
Saeid said:
Hi,
I wanted to check something before i do it.
Just put together a pc for my sister, and i wanted to know if i could use my own WindowsXP SP2 for her. And my concern is that would it cause a conflict or would the microsoft originality software say that its pirated?

Thanks
Click to expand...
If you 'put together' a PC for your sister, you should have (could still get depending where you bought parts from) a copy of winXP SP2 OEM for cheaper than retail (ala newegg...or whatever).
 
Octave said:
If you 'put together' a PC for your sister, you should have (could still get depending where you bought parts from) a copy of winXP SP2 OEM for cheaper than retail (ala newegg...or whatever).
Click to expand...

Yeah its like 80 bucks on newegg
 
If you guys want to discuss how to bypass Windows Activation, take it somewhere else, because seriously, no one here cares and it's against the forum rules.
 
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