Windows XP Home Install Question

[HansGroenewold]

Hello,

I bought a new PC two years ago and while going through some parts, found the XP Home Edition CD that came with it. I have another PC with Windows 98 on it and wanted to know if I can install XP on that PC. I had heard that XP can only be installed on one PC only, is that true?

I would think I should be able to install it on as many PC's as I like, but knowing Microsoft............. Also, the PC I wanted to put it on does not have internet access at the moment so I won't be able to register it, does that matter? Thanks for any help you can provide.

Sincerely,
Hans Groenewold

 

[n0cmonkey]

It can be installed on 1 machine for each license you own. It's a fairly common licensing practice by software vendors.

Registration doesn't matter, but activation does. You can just call Microsoft for that.

 

[Bonesdad]

You CAN install it on more than one PC, but you may have to call to have it activated. You will have to fib when they ask if it's the only PC it's installed on...

Can't afford an OEM copy for $86 from Zipzoomfly?

 

[bsobel]

Originally posted by: Bonesdad
You CAN install it on more than one PC, but you may have to call to have it activated. You will have to fib when they ask if it's the only PC it's installed on...
Can't afford an OEM copy for $86 from Zipzoomfly?

You have to fib? Your suggesting he steals, post often?

As to the OP, you'll need one license of XP per machine you install it on. You can check the hot deal or fs/ft forum to find deals on an additional license.

Bill

 

[HansGroenewold]

It's my secondary PC that I hardly use and I don't really want to spend any money on it, I'll just leave it alone. It doesn't seem to be worth the hassle and I'm retiring it soon anyways. I want to spend my money on an upgrade I posted about in the motherboard forum. I want to get that new DFI NF3 250 board when it becomes readily available along with a Athlon 64 3200+ CPU with new memory, topped off with a new video card. I hear that PC3200 memory goes well with that particular CPU. Thanks.

Sincerely,
Hans

 

[Zugzwang152]

Originally posted by: HansGroenewold
Hello,

I bought a new PC two years ago and while going through some parts, found the XP Home Edition CD that came with it. I have another PC with Windows 98 on it and wanted to know if I can install XP on that PC. I had heard that XP can only be installed on one PC only, is that true?

I would think I should be able to install it on as many PC's as I like, but knowing Microsoft............. Also, the PC I wanted to put it on does not have internet access at the moment so I won't be able to register it, does that matter? Thanks for any help you can provide.

Sincerely,
Hans Groenewold

Damn, those big corporations would have a field day if that were so. Buy 1 copy of Win XP down at the local CompUSA, install on 5,000 system network. Enough money left over to hire a dozen or so of us poor out of work MIS majors!

 

[HansGroenewold]

OK, I get your point regarding that observation. My point being that if I buy one copy, I should be able to install in on more than one PC within my own home. Regulating or enforcing that, I imagine, would be the challenge.

Hans

 

[MrChad]

Originally posted by: HansGroenewold
OK, I get your point regarding that observation. My point being that if I buy one copy, I should be able to install in on more than one PC within my own home. Regulating or enforcing that, I imagine, would be the challenge.

Hans

It's enforced through activation.

Incidentally, Microsoft's license for office does not have the same restriction. You can install Office on up to 2 (maybe 3?) PCs in your home with just a single license.

 

[mikecel79]

Originally posted by: MrChad

Originally posted by: HansGroenewold
OK, I get your point regarding that observation. My point being that if I buy one copy, I should be able to install in on more than one PC within my own home. Regulating or enforcing that, I imagine, would be the challenge.

Hans

It's enforced through activation.

Incidentally, Microsoft's license for office does not have the same restriction. You can install Office on up to 2 (maybe 3?) PCs in your home with just a single license.

It's 2 for Office. Although I think it explicitly says a desktop and a laptop. I've have to dig out the license agreement and find out. At least I know it's this way for volume license. It might be different for retail or OEM.

 

[MrChad]

Originally posted by: mikecel79

Originally posted by: MrChad

Originally posted by: HansGroenewold
OK, I get your point regarding that observation. My point being that if I buy one copy, I should be able to install in on more than one PC within my own home. Regulating or enforcing that, I imagine, would be the challenge.

Hans

It's enforced through activation.

Incidentally, Microsoft's license for office does not have the same restriction. You can install Office on up to 2 (maybe 3?) PCs in your home with just a single license.

It's 2 for Office. Although I think it explicitly says a desktop and a laptop. I've have to dig out the license agreement and find out. At least I know it's this way for volume license. It might be different for retail or OEM.

You're right. Although it's 3 for Student and Teacher edition. From the FAQ:

You can install one copy of Office Professional Edition 2003, Office Small Business Edition 2003, and Office Standard Edition 2003 on your main computer and another on your laptop computer for your exclusive, but non-concurrent use. To install a version of these Office 2003 Editions on more than these two computers, you must obtain another license for the program. You can install Office Student and Teacher Edition 2003 on up to three computers in your household if a household member is qualified. You can work with Office 2003 Editions at your desk and when mobile. Note Licenses for the 2003 release of Office acquired preinstalled on new computers are single-computer licenses that cannot be transferred or installed on another computer.

 

[mikecel79]

Good to know