Windows XP on multiple computers?

[Fun Guy]

Well, I've been waiting until I can no longer wait to upgrade, I've been a holdout to XP (hate the activation and possibility of spyware) and using Win2K for a while. Now it looks like I will need at least two machines running WinXP Pro. Will I need multiple licenses in order to run it on all my machines?

In the past I have had no problem morally or ethically using just one OS version on multiple machines, simply because I am never using more than one computer at a time, so there is never more than one version in use at a time. But the way I understand it, XP marries itself to the hardware and this may not be an option for me.

The other thing I was thinking, if I have to get multiple versions, can I get all versions as upgrades and use the same copy of Win2K to upgrade from?

 

[MrChad]

Yes, you will need a license for each copy of XP you install. Legally, you should use one upgrade version and one full version for your upgrade, but there's no technical reason why you can't use the same 2000 disc to validate both upgrade installs. Check out OEM versions at retailers such as Newegg. Although there are some more restrictions for OEM licenses versus retail licenses (e.g can't transfer copy from one machine to another), OEMs are much cheaper than retail, and you won't have to worry about upgrade restrictions.

If you do go the upgrade route, remember that you can install an upgrade version of XP from scratch. The installation program will prompt you for upgrade validation by inserting your 2000 CD, but there's no need to have 2000 preinstalled if you want to use the upgrade disc.

 

[bendixG15]

Stay with Win2kPRO...

Why do you need to go to WinXP ???

 

[Fun Guy]

Avid Xpress Pro requires it, so I'll need it for my one machine.

As far as other stuff, I guess I could stick with Win2K....but is there anything that won't work with 2000 that will with XP?