Wins XP multiple installation

[Solodays]

I heard that each Wins Xp cd can only be install on one computer. My question is, how do they keep you limited only to one PC installation? Friend of mind brought a new pc and it came with an Xp pro cd and i wanted to borrow it and install on my computer,will work or not?

 

[Raincity]

You can install with it if your friend did not activate it more than three times in the last four months.

 

[fuzzynavel]

We should also mention the issue of piracy unless you have your own license key!! Or remove win XP from your friends' PC before installing on yours....

Couldn't care less myself but it has to be mentioned!

 

[Solodays]

what do you mean activate more than 3 times?

 

[Nocturnal]

Activation and a good conscience. If you lie and call in to activate it over the phone, they won't know that you're lying but it isn't something ethical and something we look down upon here at Anandtech.

 

[Solodays]

what activation are you talking about?

 

[SoundTheSurrender]

wow, you must be living under a rock, google is your friend.

 

[bendixG15]

Just do what you want and learn how MS activation works.

 

[Solodays]

I dont have the cd and havn't install it yet.

 

[Raincity]

Why dont you buyyour own copy of XP and find out what all the activation hoopla is all about.

 

[nweaver]

if you have enough money to buy a rig, why not spend the extra 90 bucks for an OEM copy of XP. Then you don't get flamed for your "Windows Validation doesn't work" and "can I back up activations" and threads like that.

 

[Solodays]

Like i've said, all i wanted to know is how do they keep you from installing it on multiple computers. nothing more.

 

[Raincity]

Read on and please go away. Microsoft Activation

 

[ShellGuy]

If you don't call microsoft and activate your copy of windows or if you don't hook to the net and do it.. your system will shut down in 30days. That is how they do it.


Will G.

 

[Solodays]

so. you can only activate it once? if install xp on another computer again what happens when you try to activate it again?

what if you do a reformat and need to activate it again?

 

[Felecha]

All you need to know is in the article that RainCity gave you