XP on second drive in a single system?

[naddicott]

I'm toying with the idea of adding a SATA card and a raptor HD to my current system, and setting it up for gaming only (no web browsing / spyware / etc ). I would do a clean OS install with the latest drivers and then make a ghost image of that fresh format install. I would then install whatever game I'm currently playing, and when I'm done with the game - revert to the clean image.

For non-gaming use (e-mail/ web/ IM), I would boot to my current, slightly messy but still functional 7200RPM drive.

Would this sort of use require a second Windows XP license? It's a single system, and both installations would never be run simultaneously. I know I can dig up the EULA and check the wording myself, but if someone here already knows the answer, it would save a little effort.

Thanks.

 

[Sianath]

Two installations of Windows, two licenses. (you wanted the license summary right? 😛)

 

[corkyg]

Well, I have three identical HDDs - only one runs at a time. All have the same OD (XP Pro) and ID #. That is simply a triple redundant backup. Only one HDD runs at a time - they are identical and interchangeable.

This allows me to enter into beta tests etc., and try new things without worrying about it. If it bombos, I simple change drives, then reclone the bombed one back to civility.

 

[MDE]

You should be fine with one key, it's only a backup copy. I keep an emergency installation of XP on my storage drive and only use one key.

 

[Zelmo3]

Sure, but what about activation?

 

[imported_Phil]

As the system is identical, it should activate perfectly, without any repurcussions. Of course, MS will probably say what Sianath said- two copies, two licenses.

However, this is a truly ridiculous, money-grabbing point of view from MS. I doubt they'd try to argue it, and certainly wouldn't bother taking you to court over it.

There was a case at work recently when one guy wanted Office 2003 on two machines, which were never to be used at the same time (one for home, one for when he's on trips with a laptop). The Office activation guys strung it out for a while, but eventually let him do it & activate both copies.

 

[Swampster]

Corky gave you the hint you need . . . create the first operating system with the base programs needed for both uses and then

 

[Swampster]

Corky gave you the hint you need . . . create the first operating system with the base programs needed for both uses and then CLONE THE DRIVE. Thus, you don't need but the one activation.

To take it one step further, so that you totally understand Corky's system . . . put the drives in removable trays, which facilitates the cloning, and then you install a switch so that only one or the other (or both) are on.

Thus you are "legal" in that you only have one HDD active, but you have the option to decide what you are going to do before you boot.

Swampster

 

[naddicott]

Thanks for the replies. By cloning a primary installation (post-activation), I'm doing a backup. At the very least that falls into a grey area, legal depending on which lawyer you talk to. With no simultaneous use and all the other hardware being the same the Microsoft SS probably won't be breaking down my door.

Anyhow, it's all hypothetical at the moment. Using a raptor game only drive might be overkill, and I also may want to leave the raptor as the only boot drive and live with a little degradation from regular use.