How does XP installation work?

[buildingacomputer]

Current Win2K user considering WinXP.

I have heard WinXP is a one machine OS. Do I need to buy multiple copies for multiple home computers? Is there something like a family license for WinXP Home? How does installation limit one OS to one machine? I searched but could not find a thread that explains this to a novice. Also, how are OEM and Upgrade and Full different?

If there is a thread or a link that explains all these, please let me know. I will read it up. Thanks.

 

[Unforgiven]

check your email, i tried to pm but it was telling me you dont accept pm's....

 

[buildingacomputer]

Thanks for the e-mail. It explained all I would like to know. By the way how do I activate PM? I don't remember turning it off on purpose.

EDIT: I found the Profile setup screen. PM enabled now. Thanks again.

EDIT: No, actually I have one more question. I suppose ACTIVATION is a part of installation process and is required to get the OS working. Did I understand it correctly?

 

[Unforgiven]

unless you have the corporate edition of windows xp pro you will be required to activate the software within 30 days of installation. if you dont activate right away, you will notice a little key icon that shows up in your system tray notifying you that you have X amount of days left to activate.

 

[buildingacomputer]

Mucho gracias.

 

[MrChad]

Originally posted by: Unforgiven
unless you have the corporate edition of windows xp pro you will be required to activate the software within 30 days of installation. if you dont activate right away, you will notice a little key icon that shows up in your system tray notifying you that you have X amount of days left to activate.

There is no such thing as a "corporate edition" of XP Pro. You can purchase XP Pro through a Volume Licensing agreement, and these copies generally do not require activation (such licenses are not practical for home users).

Incidentally, Windows 2000 is a "one machine OS" too.

 

[buildingacomputer]

Thank you for the replies.

 

[DeathScytheVT]

What happens if you reformat with that? Will it ask you to re-activate? I just see problems like that being possible

 

[Leros]

You have to reactive. You will have to go throught the phone activation, then they will forward you to a live person (some guy in India with a bad accent, no offense) and you just tell him that you reformatted.