Installing XP on a second computer...

[Chris2wire]

Ok I guess what im asking is illegal so delete this post if you must...

But in an effort to save money could someone HYPOTHETICALLY install the same XP they have on one computer on my other computer also... I know it can be activated by just calling and explaining a situation, as I've had to do after reformatting several times.

But if SOMEONE were to do this will some sort of windows check affect the status of the original computer it was installed on?

Will they go to Microsoft Prison?

 

[Steaksauce]

I think it would disable both of the computers from getting critical updates, even the one you have now, so none of them will be getting updates.

 

[furballi]

I run WXP Pro SP1 without any additional patches. Just a firewall and on-demand AV scanner. Have also disabled un-used services. FF is my main browser but I will occasionally run IE. No issue to report.

 

[SlitheryDee]

Since they'll have the same serial number I'm not even sure you could get microsoft to activate the second copy. If you did then you'd probably have to keep automatic updates on to get updates.

 

[bendixG15]

Will they go to Microsoft Prison?

Stand in line with Asia, Eastern Europe, etc...etc...

 

[OvErHeAtInG]

There's something in the XP EULA (iirc) that states you are allowed to run your copy of XP on a secondary machine for home use--it may have to be "mobile" or something

 

[GalvanizedYankee]

The only legal double use of one MS OS I've read about is XP Office or Office 2003(iirc).
If the user has it on thier home PC, the activation can be used on thier own use laptop.
This can be found in the piracy faq section at MS.


...Galvanized

 

[Zepper]

Eventually you will have to activate XP. At that point you could always wipe the drive and reinstall XP. Or you could cultivate a friend with a site license..

.bh.

 

[HannibalX]

Sounds like you need an OEM copy of XP. No activation, ever.

Find someone you know who works in IT and have them make a copy of their OEM XP pro CD, tell them you have your own key for it.

 

[wetcat007]

Originally posted by: Trinitron
Sounds like you need an OEM copy of XP. No activation, ever.

Find someone you know who works in IT and have them make a copy of their OEM XP pro CD, tell them you have your own key for it.

Actually your talking about VLK copies arn't you? OEMs I've seen to still need activation.

 

[m1ldslide1]

Originally posted by: wetcat007

Originally posted by: Trinitron
Sounds like you need an OEM copy of XP. No activation, ever.

Find someone you know who works in IT and have them make a copy of their OEM XP pro CD, tell them you have your own key for it.

Actually your talking about VLK copies arn't you? OEMs I've seen to still need activation.

OEM's I've seen also require activation... about 4 copies worth.