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Installing Windows XP on two computers

T

tuzz

Member
What happens if I install my legit copy of Windows XP on a 2nd computer, using the same CD-key? Apart from my own morality going down the tube does anything happen to XP itself? I don't want to install it on my brother's computer then find out XP has funkified itself on my computer.

And all that stuff about activation. I've formatted and reinstalled XP a few times now and I don't recall ever having to call Microsoft to get my XP activated.
 
aside from the obvious breaking of the license agreement, it should fail automatic activation and then you'd have to call Microsoft and lie to them. I wouldn't do this - just buy another copy of XP.
 
lol i'm not sure how 2 XPs with the same serial would fare on the same home network... just get xp corp and generate a different serial 😉

jk
dont thats illegal...................
 
Originally posted by: LoKe
I've got the same copy of windows installed on two pc's in my house on the same network with the same CD Key. Activation was no problem.
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so you've broken the license agreement? :roll:
 
Originally posted by: spherrod
Originally posted by: LoKe
I've got the same copy of windows installed on two pc's in my house on the same network with the same CD Key. Activation was no problem.
Click to expand...

so you've broken the license agreement? :roll:
Click to expand...

I don't see why I should have to buy software more than once, if they allow me to do it, I should be able to do it.
 
Originally posted by: LoKe
Originally posted by: spherrod
Originally posted by: LoKe
I've got the same copy of windows installed on two pc's in my house on the same network with the same CD Key. Activation was no problem.
Click to expand...

so you've broken the license agreement? :roll:
Click to expand...

I don't see why I should have to buy software more than once, if they allow me to do it, I should be able to do it.
Click to expand...

That's a ridiculous argument. You've broken the license agreement and are running an illegal copy of Windows now - if you don't like it then you shouldn't have agreed when you first installed XP.
 
Originally posted by: spherrod
Originally posted by: LoKe
Originally posted by: spherrod
Originally posted by: LoKe
I've got the same copy of windows installed on two pc's in my house on the same network with the same CD Key. Activation was no problem.
Click to expand...

so you've broken the license agreement? :roll:
Click to expand...

I don't see why I should have to buy software more than once, if they allow me to do it, I should be able to do it.
Click to expand...

That's a ridiculous argument. You've broken the license agreement and are running an illegal copy of Windows now - if you don't like it then you shouldn't have agreed when you first installed XP.
Click to expand...

Wah
 
Originally posted by: LoKe


I don't see why I should have to buy software more than once, if they allow me to do it, I should be able to do it.
Click to expand...

I want Santa to bring me toys for Christmas ...
 
I don't see why I should have to buy software more than once, if they allow me to do it, I should be able to do it.
Click to expand...
Somewhere in the western United States, there's undoubtedly another '95 Dodge Caravan that my key would open its doors and work in its ignition. As soon as I find it, it's mine! 😛 Oooo, there might be several of them! :Q

Eh? 😉 Don't delude yourself, guy.
 
Originally posted by: powerMarkymark
Is it not possible to purchase a multiple liscense or some such thing?

M@rc
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Yep, it's nothing money won't fix. I just bought one of these myself. $35 off, reputable vendor, no obligation to re-buy it when I change computers.
 
Not everyone has the money to throw around and buy two copies of the same CD. Hell, I can't even afford to get a decent processor.

I'm willing to bet 1 out of 1200 people on these forums actually pays for most of the software on their system(photoshop, dreamweaver, etc.). How is this not the same as what I'm doing with Windows?
 
Originally posted by: LoKe
Not everyone has the money to throw around and buy two copies of the same CD. Hell, I can't even afford to get a decent processor.
Click to expand...
So if you can't afford it, don't steal it. Or at least don't come to the AnandTech Forums flaunting the fact that you did, claiming incorrectly that you're entitled to do so, and encouraging others to do the same.
I'm willing to bet 1 out of 1200 people on these forums actually pays for most of the software on their system(photoshop, dreamweaver, etc.). How is this not the same as what I'm doing with Windows?
Click to expand...
You're right, it's the same illegal thing they're doing. Was there supposed to be a point to this?

Not trying to raz you excessively, but I don't think you can install a legit, licensed version of Windows without agreeing to the EULA somewhere. It's a binding legal agreement backed by law, so don't go kidding yourself that it's not illegal to break the license agreement. You might not think it's wrong but you surely know it's not legal. Eh? 😉
 
Originally posted by: LoKe
Not everyone has the money to throw around and buy two copies of the same CD. Hell, I can't even afford to get a decent processor.

I'm willing to bet 1 out of 1200 people on these forums actually pays for most of the software on their system(photoshop, dreamweaver, etc.). How is this not the same as what I'm doing with Windows?
Click to expand...

There are alternatives, but if you can't afford $99, you probably can't afford a second machine.
 
Not everyone has the money to throw around and buy two copies of the same CD. Hell, I can't even afford to get a decent processor.
Click to expand...

If you can't afford it, don't steal it. I can't afford to eat at Morton's steak house every night but that doesn't mean I should be able to walk in, eat all I want and then run out on the check.

I'm willing to bet 1 out of 1200 people on these forums actually pays for most of the software on their system(photoshop, dreamweaver, etc.). How is this not the same as what I'm doing with Windows?
Click to expand...

Pointing at someone else and saying "But he does it!" doesn't make it right.
 
I'm saying most of you have illegal software, but don't think anything of it.

It's not like I'm going and taking something. We'll use your Steak example. You have a stake in front of you. You're allowed to eat half. You have two options in front of you.

a) Eat the other half
b) Throw it in the garbage/let it rot

Logically, a makes a lot more sense.

EDIT : I'm not trying to justify what I did to all of you, I'm saying I don't have a problem with doing it and I don't feel like it's "wrong" to do so.
 
Originally posted by: LoKe
I'm saying most of you have illegal software, but don't think anything of it.

It's not like I'm going and taking something. We'll use your Steak example. You have a stake in front of you. You're allowed to eat half. You have two options in front of you.

a) Eat the other half
b) Throw it in the garbage/let it rot

Logically, a makes a lot more sense.

EDIT : I'm not trying to justify what I did to all of you, I'm saying I don't have a problem with doing it and I don't feel like it's "wrong" to do so.
Click to expand...

Look, some of us don't disagree with you. Why should you have to pay for a second copy of something that has no natural scarcity and can be copied at virtually zero cost? Unfortunately, that's not how the rules are currently written. If you want to do that sort of thing, the only way you'll be able to legally do it is with Linux or BSD.

Breaking the rules isn't going to change them, and going ahead and trying to install two copies with a one-machine license isn't sticking it to The Man, as much as it seems it is. Removing yourself from the list of people who consent to such ridiculousness by using free software is a more effective way to do those things.
 
EDIT : I'm not trying to justify what I did to all of you, I'm saying I don't have a problem with doing it and I don't feel like it's "wrong" to do so.
Click to expand...

I don't feel it's wrong to drive 70 in a 55 zone, but the police seem to have a problem with it.

EDIT : I'm not trying to justify what I did to all of you, I'm saying I don't have a problem with doing it and I don't feel like it's "wrong" to do so.
Click to expand...

Just be prepared to deal with the consequences should you ever get caught. It's really easy to pirate software now, but in a few years it'll probably be a lot more difficult.

And the question still remains, how did you afford a second computer if you can't afford $100 for XP?
 
There is also the big picture: you live in a free country (Canada, looks like), you have a warm safe place to sleep, healthy food to eat, clothing to wear, running water, electricity, and TWO computers?!

If all that is true, you're very wealthy by overall world standards. That's one of the aspects that strikes me when people start whining that software is too expensive as a justification for piracy... how unappreciative they are of the incredible privileges they already enjoy. You'd think it was some dire hardship to skip eating out in restaurants for a couple months to buy a Windows license. Like bersl2 said, there are alternatives too.
 
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