Can I install a copied WIN XP on a computer for "test" purpose's??

[JJd]

I've got a second computer "Compaq" with the origanal Win 98 on it. I've also got a copy of WIN XP w/serial #'s. I'd like to install the XP on the Compaq just to try it out. A friend got the XP copy from one of the forums here and I really don't know the history behind it. I know there are some MS copyright issues here, however, I really would like to try XP before I consider upgrading my "main" computer to this OS.
Can someone fill in the blanks for me?

 

[Shagga]

My advice is upgrade. Go buy WinXP Pro, I doubt you will regret it. Wait a while though for the release of WinXP Pro SE which is due out soon.

 

[apoppin]

If you install XP on your computer, it will terminate it's functionality after 30 days if you don't contact MS to "activate" it.

MS has - from time-to-time - offered a free time-limit demo on programs like Front Page and Office XP. However, I don't believe they have ever offered a O/S as a demo.

It's your conscience and your call.

 

[JJd]

Thanks for the feedback you two. I wonder if it would be worth the effort to try it for a bit then reinstall 98. Can I do that?

 

[apoppin]

If you are determined to install XP, do a dual-boot with 98SE. You'll have to make another partition (try partition Magic for on-the-fly partitioning) . . . but at least you won't have to reinstall 98SE when you are finished evaluating XP.

Do NOT upgrade from 98SE to XP - there is the option (even in the "upgrade" version) to do a "clean install" of XP. If you are into "performance", you should use NTFS instead of Win98's FAT32 file system.