Can I install XP onto 3 computers?

[weber]

I have been contemplating about purchasing Windows XP after toying with it at Sam's club. I've seen the 'full version' XP selling as low as $73 on the pricewatch guide.
Is it true that you only can install this once on one single computer? Is there a way to get around that? Do tell. Thanx, Weber

 

[SoulAssassin]

Legally there's no way to install it on multiple pc's. Microsoft does offer a "family" discount if you want multiple licenses in the same house. Discount is somewhere in the neighborhood of $10 per license.

 

[littlezipp]

<< Legally there's no way to install it on multiple pc's. Microsoft does offer a "family" discount if you want multiple licenses in the same house. Discount is somewhere in the neighborhood of $10 per license. >>

True, you can only install it one one computer, but I believe the extra licenses are $10 off of the retail price, not only $10. I could have read it wrong though.

 

[brunell8]

You also need to be aware that to get that $73 price many times you must buy hardware or you may only get the license, but not a cd.

 

[ThaGrandCow]

Theoretically, since you can register XP like 4 times every 6 months (I think, I know it's a few), couldn't he just install it on his 3 computers and then hope he doesn't have to reformat until at least 6 months have passed?

 

[littlezipp]

<< Theoretically, since you can register XP like 4 times every 6 months (I think, I know it's a few), couldn't he just install it on his 3 computers and then hope he doesn't have to reformat until at least 6 months have passed? >>

No, it can only be put on one computer. Four times every six months? No, I think 2 max. The only way to get a legal version of XP on multiple computers is to 1.) call Microsoft and tell them you changed more than 5 (I think) components 2.) wait until the 90 days are up for the code to expire so you can put it on another computer.

 

[ThaGrandCow]

<< No, it can only be put on one computer. Four times every six months? No, I think 2 max. The only way to get a legal version of XP on multiple computers is to 1.) call Microsoft and tell them you changed more than 5 (I think) components 2.) wait until the 90 days are up for the code to expire so you can put it on another computer. >>


I think it originally was going to be twice every 6 months and changing 4 components would force people to re-register. There was a lot of consumer backlash at those facts and I'm fairly certain that Microsoft bumped the number of registrations at least to 3 every 6 months. They also bumped it from 4 to 5 component changes.

 

[SFang]

Try eDonkey.

 

[SoulAssassin]

<<

<< Legally there's no way to install it on multiple pc's. Microsoft does offer a "family" discount if you want multiple licenses in the same house. Discount is somewhere in the neighborhood of $10 per license. >>

True, you can only install it one one computer, but I believe the extra licenses are $10 off of the retail price, not only $10. I could have read it wrong though. >>



Correct, that's what I meant. $10 off the retail price. You would be better off picking up multiple OEM copies (which is what that $73 probably is) than going for the discount.

 

[RyDogg1]

I thought I remember reading on ZDnet before XP's release that the Product Activation expires on one machine after 120 days. Then you could reinstall on another machine and re-activate it.

Might be wrong.

Ryan

 

[Trashman]

RyDogg1, I had heard that as well.....

 

[Yomicron]

From what I gather, after 120 days XP resets the counter for your 6 devices you may change. But keep in mind that it monitors 10 devices.

It is still bound to your machine, but you may make 6 more changes.



NOTE: I have not studied the EULA for XP, so what I just said might be totally inaccurate.

 

[WindBoy2000]

Why does microsoft have to bother its customers because
of piracy problems they can't solve. Lol, you are only allowed
so many component changes every few months? what a bull.
Man Win2k is so nice, once installed no worries whatsoever.
I mean, just make the damn operating system cheaper, everyone
would buy it.

 

[travler]

I find it disturbing that so many people are willing to accept the legality of the license itself. T

he legality of licensing might hold water in a corporate serting with multiple users, but for a single private user I have serious doubts about this type of license surving any legal challenge. there are all kinds of cases going through courts right now. Its a case of corporations trying to take advantage of a situations without precedent combined with widespread ignorance of technology. Its already been established for other types of recordable IP (intelectual property) that people have the legal right to make and use as many copies as they like as long as it is for personal use only.

 

[locutus4]

<< Theoretically, since you can register XP like 4 times every 6 months (I think, I know it's a few), couldn't he just install it on his 3 computers and then hope he doesn't have to reformat until at least 6 months have passed? >>


So if its actually 2 times every 6 months could you put it on two computers? Cant you just use that same code twice. What is the process of doing this, do you have to register online every time you install?

 

[XRdirtHead]

I think if you buy XP and you have a network at home you should be able to add XP to those computers for the $100.00 it cost for the one license. Its such B.S. that they are doing what they are doing. I'm sticking with my 98SE!

 

[Dre]

I've installed the same copy of winxp 3 times now in the past 3 months. Two of those times, I had to call in to reactivate. I'll be installing a new harddrive once I receive it from Newegg and will need to reinstall a 4th time, I'll post if I'm able to.

 

[PG]

Newegg has a 3 pack of WinXP Home for $257 + $7 shipping but you need to buy a piece of hardware when you buy OEM software. I asked them what would count as hardware and they told me that anything that wasn't software would be considered hardware. I also asked if I needed to get 3 things since I wanted to buy a 3 pack and they said no, just one thing would be OK. So I got a refurb heatsink and fan for $5 with free shipping. Overall that's cheaper than one retail copy of WinXP Pro in a store like Best Buy.

I just did it because I have some computers to sell and I want to make sure everything is legal so I don't get in trouble. I'm not even going break the shrink wrap. The buyers can install everything themselves.



edit:

linky to Newegg

 

[locutus4]

how does the activation code work? If it comes in the box and you have it activated why couldnt you just use it on another computer too?

 

[Derango]

The activation code is a combination of your product key, which comes in the box, and a hash made up a fingerprint of your computers hardware, such as MAC addresses, hard drive serial numbers. This hash and your product key is sent to microsoft, who checks to see if the key has been used before and what hardware it was used on previously. If everything checks out OK, microsoft sends you an actiavtion key which is unique to your PC. This key can only be used on that specific computer. If things look fishy, you get a message telling you to call microsoft to reactivate.

You have to activate every time you install. If you do a reinstall on the exact same hardware(with the MAC adresses and HD serial numbers (etc) being the same), it will never ask you to call microsoft.

 

[CocaCola5]

It still astound me this is totally acceptable to people.

 

[locutus4]

well if someones has any hits to beating the system gimme a pm plz!

 

[DigDug]

locutus -> google is your friend.

 

[JellyBaby]

<< Discount is somewhere in the neighborhood of $10 per license. >>

As someone said it's actually only $10 off the regular purchase price. Ironically, if additional licenses were only $10 I'm sure they'd get a lot of bites on them.