Using XP disc on multiple computers

[Dog--]

My brother just got a new computer which has Windows ME on it, and since XP is better I told him that I'll put XP on it after I format it, but I only have one XP disc which is used on this computer, and I've heard somewhere that you can only use one XP disc per computer?

So, can I format his computer and use this computers XP disc on his, or should I just leave it with ME until he can find another Windows XP disc?

 

[Pesmerga]

You can use it on another computer.

 

[Link]

Thats true, but not the whole story. The disc will work on as many computers as you like, but they each need their own licence key, or they won't activate.

 

[Pesmerga]

Thats true, but not the whole story. The disc will work on as many computers as you like, but they each need their own licence key, or they won't activate.

I've used the same license key for 4 computers, no errors.

 

[Krynn72]

I think XP allows 5 activations before you need to call up microsoft for more.


Also, what the hell kind of new computer has ME on it?

 

[giant384]

I think XP allows 5 activations before you need to call up microsoft for more.


Also, what the hell kind of new computer has ME on it?

"new" can mean anything with computers. doesnt mean it will be top of the line. it could be a "new" old machine which was an upgrade to his previous one.

 

[AtomicSpark]

It's once license per computer, if you want to be "legal". So technically you would be pirating.

 

[Tyguy]

its retarded for them to expect people to buy 1 disc per computer. Ive used 1 disc for a good amount of PC's, definitely over 5

stick it to the man and use 1 cd

 

[AtomicSpark]

So, according to what you think, I should beable to buy HL2 and then give it away to all my friends? I think not! If it's made for ME, he probably can't run many games anyways. You could put Linux on there or something.

 

[Krynn72]

Sharing is caring.


Especially if it screws Microsoft.

 

[giant384]

So, according to what you think, I should beable to buy HL2 and then give it away to all my friends? I think not! If it's made for ME, he probably can't run many games anyways. You could put Linux on there or something.

its better to use one cd key for the sake of not losing it and getting confused with what key goes to which cd.

 

[AtomicSpark]

Nothing wrong with using the same CD, I'm talking about licenses. Just arguing with Peshy.

 

[Pesmerga]

I didn't say it was legal, right, or wrong.

Just said it works

 

[Dog--]

So, according to what you think, I should beable to buy HL2 and then give it away to all my friends? I think not! If it's made for ME, he probably can't run many games anyways. You could put Linux on there or something.

If HL2 cost $300+, then yes, share it with atleast 5 people..


As for the topic, so I should be safe using the same key and same CD for that computer?

 

[giant384]

yes, it will be no problem.

 

[Hectic Glenn]

Sticking with this topic, this doesn't work with OEM versions of OS does it? For example, I bought an OEM copy of Vista Home Premium for the computer I built, however I would like my laptop (with XP Professional) on it to have it too, this isn't possible with OEM is it? I heard if you make 1/2 large hardware changes it knows and prevents you activating it or something (a new Vista counter piracy tool)

 

[MRG]

You can install WinXP on as many computers are you want. You can even use the same CD Key for each install. However, after 30 days, if you do not activate WinXP, then your PC will not load to the desktop. You'll get to the main login screen & it'll ask you to activate the copy of WinXP thats installed.

If you try to manually update WinXP, it'll require you to "Validate" your version of WinXP, which if it detects that you have not activated the OS yet, it'll then require you to then do so before any updates will be downloaded & installed. Instead, change the security settings under the Control Panel to have Windows automatically download updates (This is different than the default way) & this seems to bypass the required validation. This does not work 100% of the time, but quite often it does.

You can however download SP2 from a third party website not associated with Microsoft. The file size is approx 122mb if I remember correctly. Simply Google search "Download SP2" This is highly advisable, as many newer programs will not run without SP2 installed.(If your version is pre-2002, then this applies, as newer versions of WinXP Home & Pro have SP2 already on the install CD & so it's installed when you install WinXP) Once you download SP2, install it that way over letting Windows do it manually since it'll need to validate (Activate) before doing so. In some cases, the version of SP2 that you download, will be the newer SP2 file from Microsoft, which will require activation before installing. Simply re-search for another version.

As it's not illegal to do so, if you need, i'll file transfer my copy of SP2 to you. IT does not require you to activate WinXP first before installing the update.

As for activating WinXP itself, I know that for the Home version, you have 25 online activations before you have to call Microsoft to get an activation key. I know this for a fact, as I install WinXP Home once a month, due to various tweaks, programs & games that I am always trying/reviewing & thus require a clean install of WinXP. The 26th time I activated WinXP, I got the message stating that I could no longer activate online & was given a # to call. Simply call that number & you'll be asked why you are activating & if it's installed on any other PC's. Simply tell them you have new hardware in your single PC or that you got a virus or whatever. If asked if you have your copy of WinXP installed on more than one PC, say No. Of course, this only works for your main PC. Don't try this after installing on several PC's as once you try to activate, a red flag goes up & you'll be unable to activate that CD Key ever again. I know this as well from first hand experience.

There are ways to work around this, however, i'll not tell you how, as it's illegal to do so.

-MRG

 

[No Limit]

Just remember, every time you activate windows they can tell exactly the type of computer you are installing it on. They log everything from the type of mother board that is installed to your IP address. So they do know when you illegally install this on multiple computers. They probably wont end up doing anything about it but you never know. There have been a number of businesses fined tens of thousands of dollars for doing this.

you have 25 online activations before you have to call Microsoft to get an activation key

That's not ture. If you are installing on the exact same computer usually microsoft will allow you to activate online without having to call in. If they find you installed it on multiple computers they will force you to call them, I've seen this happen after the 2nd install. So there is no set limit to how many times you can activate, I don't know where you guys are getting these numbers from.

 

[Raziaar]

We own three copies of Windows XP... we have four computers. I must have used at least 5 installs using each of those discs at least, 10 total installs on my computer since I got it probably because I reformat so often.

Haven't run out of activation things on one of them I think... when they run out I'm going to have to call in for some more huh?

 

[No Limit]

Sticking with this topic, this doesn't work with OEM versions of OS does it? For example, I bought an OEM copy of Vista Home Premium for the computer I built, however I would like my laptop (with XP Professional) on it to have it too, this isn't possible with OEM is it? I heard if you make 1/2 large hardware changes it knows and prevents you activating it or something (a new Vista counter piracy tool)

I dont know about Vista but I'm pretty sure XP uses the same hardware tracking "system". I would guess it will allow you to install it on your lap top unless they made some new changes where it knows it is only supposed to be installed on the HP computer you had it on. Plus if you have XP pro I dont see why you would want to down grade to vista home.

 

[No Limit]

We own three copies of Windows XP... we have four computers. I must have used at least 5 installs on each of those at least, 10 total on my computer since I got it probably since I reformat so often.

Haven't run out of activation things on one of them I think... when they run out I'm going to have to call in for some more huh?

Yeah. Calling them is really simple. Usually they activate it for you without having to talk to a live person. Just keep in mind they ask you a variaty of questions such as "Did this copy of windows come with your computer?", "Is this copy of windows installed on any other computer", and "Have you made any serious changes to your computer hardware from your last activation". They do know when you are lying but they let you activate anyway. What I worry about is them eventually coming after the people that lied since they do log your IP and can easily find you.

 

[MRG]

That's not ture. If you are installing on the exact same computer usually microsoft will allow you to activate online without having to call in. If they find you installed it on multiple computers they will force you to call them, I've seen this happen after the 2nd install. So there is no set limit to how many times you can activate, I don't know where you guys are getting these numbers from.

I don't really appreciate you calling me a lier, No Limit. As far as I am aware, I have never given you any reason to. I believe I said pretty much the same thing you did in my earlier post.

I would give almost anything to have been able to have recorded my conservation with the thickly accented gentleman from Microsoft, who told me about the 25 online activations. That way I could post it here for you to hear. No offense, but I take his word over yours. By the time the 25th activation, I had gone through a few generations of hardware within my PC, which would have thrown up a red flag don't you think? So, i'm a little curious, what gives you the right to accuse others of a form of perjury? I gain nothing by lying & have quite a bit to lose if in fact I falsify information. If I am wrong about a particular subject & since I'm human, like everyone here, I often am, I by all means want to know, but more or less calling someone a lier, is not the best way to go about it.

No set limit to how many times I can activate huh? I believe I said that too. Funny how I have to call in EVERY time I try to activate online & even funnier, that I have had to do so for more than a few years now too.

Now if you were not in fact referring to me, even though you did quote me, then I apologize for jumping to conclusions.

-MRG

 

[Raziaar]

Yeah. Calling them is really simple. Usually they activate it for you without having to talk to a live person. Just keep in mind they ask you a variaty of questions such as "Did this copy of windows come with your computer?", "Is this copy of windows installed on any other computer", and "Have you made any serious changes to your computer hardware from your last activation". They do know when you are lying but they let you activate anyway. What I worry about is them eventually coming after the people that lied since they do log your IP and can easily find you.

I'll be damned if I care.

I own 3 copies of windows XP home edition. We have four computers. One of them pretty much never gets used. I won't be paying 100 extra dollars on a worthless windows installation for that one computer we don't use that much.

Besides... I don't keep track of which XP installation is which, so at any point we could have the same disc key on multiple computers, but I wouldn't know this. And it wouldn't matter anyways, because I own 3 copies of windows XP and if they want to prosecute me, I can provide those.

 

[No Limit]

I don't really appreciate you calling me a lier, No Limit. As far as I am aware, I have never given you any reason to. I believe I said pretty much the same thing you did in my earlier post.

I'm sorry you took such offense to what I said. But I also activate windows on a regular basis on various computers. I actually have to keep track of all these activations as well as where each license belongs. I am simply telling you that if you active your license on 2 different computers you will have to call back in as soon as the second time that you do it. I have done it on the same computer as well, I had to call in after the first 2 activiation. The most times I ever activated a single copy would probably be around 4 or 5 times, none of those let me activate online anymore. You might have been lucky. But what you said implied that you can activate over the internet 25 times which is not true, I wanted to make sure everyone reading this understood that because it is an important point.

Again, I'm sorry you took offense. I didn't mean to make it sound offensive.

 

[No Limit]

I'll be damned if I care.

I own 3 copies of windows XP home edition. We have four computers. One of them pretty much never gets used. I won't be paying 100 extra dollars on a worthless windows installation for that one computer we don't use that much.

Besides... I don't keep track of which XP installation is which, so at any point we could have the same disc key on multiple computers, but I wouldn't know this. And it wouldn't matter anyways, because I own 3 copies of windows XP and if they want to prosecute me, I can provide those.

Don't get me wrong. I am not a saint and I am not going to be arguing with your reasoning. But the fact is what you are doing is against Microsoft's license terms and is illegal. If it went to court for installing 3 copies of windows on 4 computers providing those 3 copies would only server to incriminate you.

I doubt microsoft will ever go after home users that did this but it is something you should think about.

 

[Raziaar]

Don't get me wrong. I am not a saint and I am not going to be arguing with your reasoning. But the fact is what you are doing is against Microsoft's license terms and is illegal. If it went to court for installing 3 copies of windows on 4 computers providing those 3 copies would only server to incriminate you.

I doubt microsoft will ever go after home users that did this but it is something you should think about.

In legalize it sounds right and thus probably morally wrong, but it's something that would and could never hold up in court at all.

It's a spare parts computer that I put together so my dad could do some excel stuff once every month or so when he needs to.

 

[MRG]

But what you said implied that you can activate over the internet 25 times which is not true, I wanted to make sure everyone reading this understood that because it is an important point.

Ahh, ok, now I see what you were talking about & if thats the way it came across, then i'm glad you brought that to my attention, because you are right & that would be incorrect. Just for the record, You can't willie-nillie install a standard version of WinXP home or Pro on several PC's, all with the same Product Key & expect to be allowed to activate Windows. You can, only if you use it on ONE computer. Not to confuse anyone, but there are known "fixes" that supposedly bypass the WGA or "Windows Genuine Advantage" as it's called, to allow you to install any version of WinXP on any number of PC's, which make it so you do not have to activate them. As per Microsoft, this is illegal.

Bottom line folks, to be safe, activate one WinXP Product Key per PC.

-MRG