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Is it true that XP Pro can be installed on two different computres

J

jaytone

Senior member
I was at a computer show the other day and wanted to buy XP full version. The guy selling the OEM version of both Home and PRO, said that the Pro allows you to install and activate on two different computers where as Home only allows one.
Since I own two computers, I would prefer to get the Pro if this is true.
Does anyone know about this ?

Question 2. If you reformat after installing any version of XP that had been activated, can I install it again on the same computer and reactivate it without calling MS ?
 
You can install and activate it on as many computers as you like. Just when you call M$ up, tell them that you formatted your system. That's what I do when I install Office and FrontPage.
 
You have to tell them you got some new hardware and did a reformat and need new code.

If you reformat and install it on a system that you already had it on you still have to call but you won't have to talk to a person.
 
Theoretically if you install XP on the second system 120 plus days after you activated it on the first pc, you'll get no problems activating it with MS!
 


<< Theoretically if you install XP on the second system 120 plus days after you activated it on the first pc, you'll get no problems activating it with MS! >>



I've heard that too. Can anyone confirm?
 
If you can afford the hardware for the second PC why can't you afford the software?

That's a valid point. However . . . there are XP Pro editions that can be put on several machines without any activation. They are the corporate edition and some academic editions. They are licensed differently on a "bulk" or "mass" contract. They are paid for up front.

 
The salesman is correct in that you can install XP on two different computers. The catch is, IIRC, that those two are supposed to consist of a workstation and a mobile computer (IE: One desktop/tower or whatever you have and one laptop).
 
Lonewolf1, you are right... Microsoft will not come after you if you install the same license (Product Key) of XP on
a home machine and a laptop... but that is not what the salesman seemed to imply...

jaytone, was that guy selling the home and pro versions for the same price? If not, then he might have been using
the dual-install tale as a scam to get more people to buy Pro. (Like an informed user needs an excuse?)

AFAIK, you can get away with the Desktop+Laptop install with XP Home as well. And again, it is not legal,
but I don't think you'll really get in trouble unless you are installing the same ID on 3-4 or more systems.
(enough for the authentication to really notice the same Product ID again and again).

------

If you format and reinstall, and the hardware has not changed so much that the system "looks" the same to
the authentication app, then it will (should) still activate just the same as before, without having to call MS unless
you want to.

corky-g, the corp and academic versions have all the licenses paid up front, they are not meant to be install on
multiple random machines, they are installed with the machines that are built or purchased for each license.


 
I think you may be confused by some of the wording. The professional version of XP can be installed on "1 to 2 processors" according to Microsoft. This doesn't mean it's okay to put it on two machines, but on one machine with dual CPUs. Is that what you were looking for?
 


<< Lonewolf1, you are right... Microsoft will not come after you if you install the same license (Product Key) of XP on
a home machine and a laptop... but that is not what the salesman seemed to imply...

 >>



That is a MYTH.. and is totally disputed on Microsoft's web site...

READ your end user agreement:


<< 1. GRANT OF LICENSE. Microsoft grants you the following
rights provided that you comply with all terms and
conditions of this EULA:

* Installation and use. You may install, use, access,
display and run one copy of the Product on a single
computer, such as a workstation, terminal or other device
("Workstation Computer"). >>



NOW... please tell me what part of that you don't understand?


I just don't understand you people who try to justify your software piracy, and legitamize your stealing..
 


<< those two are supposed to consist of a workstation and a mobile computer >>


M$ used to allow you to do that with Office but not anymore.
The sales guy was blowing smoke your way.
 
DaHitman,



<< NOW... please tell me what part of that you don't understand? >>



I don't understand why you seem to read more into what I posted than is there.



<< I just don't understand you people who try to justify your software piracy, and legitamize your stealing >>



At not point did I try to justify anything, maybe you need to pull your head out and stop accusing people of
illegal activity when they are just trying to give clarifying advice.

 
Question on WAP...once a computer is activated, does it ever check back in with M$ to see if the product key has been activated on another computer? If it doesn't, I don't get how WAP is supposed to stop people from installing XP on every computer in their house? 😕
 


<<

<< Theoretically if you install XP on the second system 120 plus days after you activated it on the first pc, you'll get no problems activating it with MS! >>



I've heard that too. Can anyone confirm? >>



Bump for a confirmation.
 


<< That is a MYTH.. and is totally disputed on Microsoft's web site...

READ your end user agreement:


<< 1. GRANT OF LICENSE. Microsoft grants you the following
rights provided that you comply with all terms and
conditions of this EULA:

* Installation and use. You may install, use, access,
display and run one copy of the Product on a single
computer, such as a workstation, terminal or other device
("Workstation Computer"). >>

NOW... please tell me what part of that you don't understand?


I just don't understand you people who try to justify your software piracy, and legitamize your stealing..
>>




Looks like another stunning candidate for becoming an MS compliance officer.
To see if you qualify to be a MS Compliance officer take the test here..... MS Compliance Officer Test

Or if you prefer find out about becoming part of a Microsoft security Death Squad to stop security holes in windows. MS Security Death Squads

 


<< Looks like another stunning candidate for becoming an MS compliance officer.
To see if you qualify to be a MS Compliance officer take the test here..... >>



Here is what it said my score was:

You scored 1 out of 10.
Just go fsck yourself, you Linux loving Commie.




<<
Or if you prefer find out about becoming part of a Microsoft security Death Squad to stop security holes in windows. >>





Guess I don't qualify..
 
You should know that the 120 day hardware reset thing only resets the amount of UPGRADES you can make to your system again.
Its 4-6 upgrades (depending on your hardware) within a time of 120 days, after that you get another 4-6 upgrades.

It doesn't mean you can install XP on completely different system, why? Becuase that would be changing more that 6 components and all at once it wouldn't work.

So yeah, you have to call MS and feed them a story to activate XP on another system.
 
This is the info I found on the MS site about Multi-use of a single OS license.
I didn't notice this in the EULA of my OEM WinXP though. *Maybe* in the Full retail version ?


http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/home/using/productdoc/en/default.asp?url=/WINDOWSXP/home/using/productdoc/en/lic_make_2nd_copy.asp


Can I make a second copy of my Windows operating system software for my portable computer?

The End-User License Agreement (EULA) for many Microsoft application software products contains the following sentence: "The primary user of the computer on which the SOFTWARE PRODUCT is installed may make a second copy for his or her exclusive use on a portable computer." If your EULA contains this sentence, then, subject to the conditions mentioned, you may make a second copy of the software. Note that you must be the primary user of the computer on which the software is installed. The primary user is the individual who uses the computer most of the time it is in use. Only that individual is entitled to use the second copy. Furthermore, the software must be installed on the local hard disk of your computer; you are not entitled to make and use a second copy on your portable computer if you run the primary copy of the software from a network server. Finally, only one secondary copy may be made; you may install this copy on more than one portable computer.

Please note that many Microsoft products are copy protected and it will not be technically possible to make a second copy of the disk. If you are a Licensee of software that includes copy protection technology, please call the Product Support Services number provided for that specific product to learn whether or not unencrypted disks can be obtained.

 
Why are you arguing over this EULA. It doesn't work, you can't install XP on more than one computer (laptop, desktop, workstation, server, supercomputer, PDA)

Only the OFFICE XP had the option to install on a Desktop and a laptop (with restrictions), thats all!
 
OMG!!! buy the pro copy so you will be paying your due's to bill, they did a kick ass job on this OS in my opinion. then if you want WIN XP on multiple computers download the corp edition of WIN XP PRO ver 2600, which allows you to install it on as many computers as you want(no product activation) and be happy, but remember this is Illegal and done at your own risk, so do what you conscience will allow. I hate product activation, next thing you know DVDs will only be allowed to be played on one DVD player.
 
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