Windows XP Pro or Not

I would... that BS micro$oft comes up with... "1 copy per computer" for 30days is total insane. You bought it why do u have to buy it multple times???
Once should be enough. Dont they have enough money. Especially for people on a budget... 150$ a pop is not pocket change.

Legally, no. You may want to read here.

Excerpt :

"How many installations can be made with one product license? Has this changed with the introduction of Product Activation?

The underlying principles of Microsoft's software licenses have not changed. Microsoft's End User License Agreements (EULAs) have always stipulated the number of PCs that software can be installed on. Product Activation does not change that. Office XP or Office 2003 may be installed on one PC. The primary user of Office may also install one copy on a laptop computer for their exclusive use. To install Office XP or Office 2003 on more than these two devices, another license of the product must be acquired. Licenses for Office XP or Office 2003 acquired preinstalled on a new PC are single-PC licenses that cannot be transferred or installed a second time on another PC or laptop computer. Windows XP may be installed on one PC. There are no secondary use rights (e.g. no "laptop clause") in the Windows XP EULA. The aforementioned licensing terms have not been changed due to Product Activation. Some special licensing programs (such as the Microsoft Developer Network) provide additional licensing terms. Please check your specific license agreement or EULA for specifics. Re-installation and re-activation on the same PC can be done an unlimited number of times. Pricing and licensing details are available for Windows XP and Office 2003."


"Does Microsoft Product Activation allow customers to install products on a laptop as well as on a PC?

Consumers should refer to the terms of the product's End User License Agreement. In some cases, the Microsoft EULA allows customers who are the primary user of Microsoft applications such as Office and Word to install one additional copy on their laptop computer for their exclusive use. This does not apply to product licenses acquired with the purchase of a PC. These OEM licenses are single-use licenses that cannot be transferred to another PC. Windows XP can also only be installed on a single computer. Installation and subsequent activation on a different computer requires a new license."

"What happens when you try to install and activate on more PCs then the end user license agreement (EULA) allows?

Per the EULA, installing on more PCs then the EULA allows would be in violation of the EULA. Technically, product activation does not limit the number of PCs the software can be installed on. It would be possible technically to install the software on, for example, 100 PCs. Activation would fail though on 99 (98 for Office XP or Office 2003) of those 100 PCs thereby limiting the usefulness of the illegal installation. Outside of an activation attempt, Microsoft does not know how many PCs Windows XP, Office XP family product, or Office 2003 System product have been installed on."

money money money... thats all that they care about.

DO the legal way... Just go with Linux

or get a cracked version lol nah thats illegal no no dont do that ....

or do...

I want to have two installations of Windows XP Pro on the same laptop (in different partitions) one for work and one for fun. Do you think Bill wants me to pay for both? I promise not to use them both at the same time.

haahahhaha ...

Actually the eula allows that as it is still one computer.

Yeh its been like that for some years, and unfortunately many other software producers have addobted using micromisers end user licencing as a basic template....

**SO MISSES THE GOOD OLD DAYS WHEN THE STANDARD ALLOWED FOR UP TO 5 COMPUTERS IN ONE HOUSEHOLD***

Edit : Posted in wrong thread.

well thats when companys get greedy

I will make one note though. The new Student/Teacher edition of Office 2003 allows you to install it on up to three (3) systems for non-commercial use. Funny thing is, if you by the Office 2003 Basic, you do not have this option. It seems to be only with the Student/Teacher edition. I don't use Access a lot, so that was my choice instead of paying $350 per each copy.

Just thought I would share with you if you didn't know. One step in the right direction.

Actuary Tim,

I always wondered about this. If you have XP installed and activated on one system what technically prevents you from installing and activating it on another? For instance as Capt Vegas remarked is it possible to install XP on two separate hard drives on the same computer? Or for that matter can it be installed on an external HD such that I can haul it around and plug in where-ever I need to?

If you don't agree to the licence terms then Bill does not force you to use his product. As spaxspore pointed out there are alternatives. But if you like what Bill has on offer then his offer is one copy per computer. It is not about greed, it is about market forces. No different between buying a Coke (Regd. TM etc etc). Each time you want a drink you gotta buy a new bottle. Now some restraunts offer bottomless cups - sort of like the Linux of the drink market.

So for all you criminally insane out there, just watch out 'cuz Bill don't like you and he is coming to get you...

... oh no... I hear him coming up my stairs....



Rember he could be worst...

XP's activation will "detect" what hardware you are installing on and, when you activate, will check back with Redmond. If it detects that you are installing/reinstalling on exactly the same hardware you won't need to get a new activation key, in other words it will "just work". If you are on different hardware, you will either need to get a new license of XP or call MS if you are replacing your PC and wish to keep your (retail, not OEM/preload) license.

Personally, I have done this a bunch of times (I replace PCs more often than MS issues Windows versions) and have never gotten any hassles from MS. "I am replacing my PC" - "Yes sir, here is your new activation key". No more to it than that.

Regarding MS getting greedy... I expect to be paid for my labor/service/deliverable. If you don't want to pay for it, go find something free/cheaper (paradoxically, the capitalist system most Linux people hate is what creates the incentive for companies to look at saving money with Linux and has directly fed Linux' success). If Linux programmers want to work for free, fine: I have a family to feed and I will not give away my time/deliverables just to please people who have a problem with the profit motive. Being underpriced by Indians is a whole 'nother issue, but like it or not that at least is them trying to beat their competitors (e.g. me) in the free market, not shaming someone into disliking money/profits.

Activation is based on both product ID and hardware ID, if memory serves. Significaint deviation from the original hardware setup will require activation/re-activation. However, there is much debate and discussion on what Microsoft considers "significant". A motherboard change might not require re-activation, but perhaps a motherboard swap in conjunction with another piece of hardware might. Am certain with a bit of searching, one can find a superficial scenario listing of which hardware changes require an activation renewal.

For the cases mentioned : As mentioned, this is permitted according to the EULA. Most USB (read : nearly all) devices cannot function as boot devices, as most motherboards do not support the ability to enable the hard drive during the boot process, and thus in most cases one would be unable to make use of any operating system (Microsoft or otherwise) on an external drive. If I recall correctly, most Apple/Mac products allow the use of external boot devices, but that however would greatly defeat the purpose of running a Microsoft based operating system.

One unimportant note : my name is not Tim. The user ID used is ActuaryTm. As in Tm. As in trademark. Not many admit readily to being of the actuarial persuasion, and thus I thought it was valid for trademarking purposes.

We now return you to the your regular thread-viewing experience.

I adore this analogy.

Also, I completely agree with the valid point Steve makes, which is especially true (for the most part) for the members of this forum : there is no one forcing anyone to use any Microsoft products. The ability to choose is more prevalent today than at any point in the past, and this is coupled greatly with the ability of today's user and their subsequent skillset (which members of this forum, as alluded to earlier, have in great abundance in comparison to the mean). Viable alternatives to every (some require more creativity than others) product Microsoft makes, and Microsoft is literally always one product generation away from being out of business nearly permanently. If you (the collective you, including Spaxspore) are unhappy as a customer with Microsoft, there is now a choice, and as a consumer one should take full advantage of this if one is unhappy.

The simple adage I typically adhere my personal and business practices to would be "whatever solution is best for my client" (often the client being myself). There are times the best for my client is a Microsoft product, and there are times when the best for my client is absolutely NOT a Microsoft product. In the infinite mass of gray area between the two extremes exists a comfortable and beneficial synergy of Microsoft and non-Microsoft products, and I find I personally live within this area more often than not.

As always, one should always find their own "happy medium" in which to inhabit, and should never adhere to another's standards in this regard.