Windows XP Pro or Not - Page 2

Ok, let me sum this up.

A. XP reads hardware ID codes, mixes them up in some magic incantation and generates a unique key code. This key code changes over time since when you have to reload you have to get a new one. (couldn't you just set your clock back to the original setup date/time and use the old one?)

B. If you get your XP OEM/preloaded, saints preserve you, because if you need to migrate your XP to a new 'puter you can't.

C. MS has a rather spacious database that houses your system information, your software, what you paid for it, where you bought it, where you live and how much your make and promises never to divulge any of this to anybody or anything.

D. It's rather easy if you have phone access to call MS and get a code.

E. You can load XP on both HD's on the 8790 Sager.

F. You can't load XP on an external HD.

G. Ms is not the only option, but if you wish to communicate with anyone in anyway
you need the same software since MS dominates the market and the majority of software writers create for MS.

H. MS did revolutionlize the world and is doing a great job of maintaining a great product.

I. ActuaryTM is NotActuallyTIM.

I love this forum.

My Laptop was stolen and I order a new Sager . Do you think Bill will give me a new licence since I have the media? Do you mind to inform the phone number to call at Microsoft?

If my experiences are anything to go by, you should have no problem whatsoever - so long as you have a retail copy of XP. OEM/preload copies don't qualify, I believe - but you could always try... You will need your product key though (the 25-character pain-in-the-rear-end code you type to install XP), IIRC. Forgot the ph# but if you fulfill above prereqs, install XP, then launch the activation wizard and choose to activate by phone and it will tell you where to call. Good luck!

According to the eula, you would be in violation installing that version on another machine as it remains installed on the stolen machine even if it is a "full version" of the operating system..

The software gets info on several peices of hardware and hashes it with your initial product number into the insanely long number you send to MS. If I remember correctly, three of those parts can change in a period of three months without needing (re)activation. The gory details are here:

http://www.licenturion.com/xp/

Actually, I bought an OEM XP installation CD for the home-built desktop (or in the case of the 8890, got it with the system). The desktop copy has moved twice (or was it three times?) with no issues or left-behind copies (those got older licensed software like Win2K or Win98se).

I don't recommend the average user using OEM CDs though since there is no support. But the pruduct is cheaper (though there is usually requirement to purchase it with a HDD or other such - that's fine to me).

Perhaps my need to ensure proper licensing is just from my exposure at work - I spent a year working with company auditors on issues like this, so its just second nature to me.

Did this 4-5 times one weekend when my desktop mainboard died (IDE controller gone - argh!). Ghost imaging back to another system required re-install from CD over that to get running again (both for testing and the final rebuild). Bingo - needed new key each time... The easiest part was calling MS actually.

Never tried, but then I don't do the insane things I used to when I was a kid, like get Windows 3.1 running on a 286.

Actually, OpenOffice has done very well for me at version 1.1 (aka StarOffice 7.0 if you want the support). Works well with the MS Office files, no need to buy Office XP so far. Linux compatibility with Win products (including games) is very detailed in the Linux and Gaming forums.

I use Pine for my email at work, and my old dialup service email is used as the public webmail account(s). Hence no major virus/worm issues from me.

No Comment.

--TSK