How many computers can you install windows on with 1 disk?

Roflcopter66

Roflcopter66

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Sorry for the incoherency of my title.

My mothers laptop has recently... well... died. The laptop did something peculiar and wouldn't start so we tried to use the "backup" CD to restore it and ended up exacerbating the problem considerably.

Thus, i am left with a laptop that has no visible use... and a windows disk.

I currently have windows XP installed onto my PC, and i have the valid serial, but could i install this onto my mothers laptop also, without any repercussions.

In other words... how many computers can hold windows XP with the one disk... without any negative repercussions, if that makes sense.

Thanks :)
 
There should be a sticker on the bottom (or somewhere) with the "key" to the OS ... all you need to do is borrow the correct version, Vista home or pro, and use that key.


:user:
 
Ok i will try to obtain one.

But do your answers mean that I CAN'T install windows XP on the laptop using my desktop serial?
 
Roflcopter66 said:
Ok i will try to obtain one.

But do your answers mean that I CAN'T install windows XP on the laptop using my desktop serial?
Click to expand...

Yes. I'm afraid Microsoft's EULA states that one code number = one installation.
 
Ok thanks! I'm thinking of upgrading my PC to vista anyway, so i'll buy a disk from somewhere and kill 2 birds with one stone.

Thanks once again for your help :))
 
Roflcopter66 said:
Ok thanks! I'm thinking of upgrading my PC to vista anyway, so i'll buy a disk from somewhere and kill 2 birds with one stone.

Thanks once again for your help :))
Click to expand...

If possible, borrow a Vista disk, you have the legal code number and that's what you actually pay for - the code number, not the disk.

The code number is the licence from Microsoft to use Vista, you never actually own it.

If you buy another disk, you'll be more or less throwing away around a hundred quid.

Surely you know somebody with a copy of Vista?
 
floppybootstomp said:
Yes. I'm afraid Microsoft's EULA states that one code number = one installation.
Click to expand...


Erm yes and no..Microsoft will allow upto 3 instalations with one key. The first time you can activate online, the follow 2 will need to be done over the phone, where you get to speak to somebody in a strange country....I have 3 laptops all wit XP on, used the same disk and same product key..They all run perfectly, all update perfectly etc and have been running likke this for over a year now..
 
Madxgraphics said:
Erm yes and no..Microsoft will allow upto 3 instalations with one key. The first time you can activate online, the follow 2 will need to be done over the phone, where you get to speak to somebody in a strange country....I have 3 laptops all wit XP on, used the same disk and same product key..They all run perfectly, all update perfectly etc and have been running likke this for over a year now..
Click to expand...

Well well, you live and learn....

I'm not sure if that's strictly pukka but hey, if it works...
 
If the laptop is Vista Business you're allowed to perform a downgrade to XP Pro.
You install XP Pro using the license from a XP Pro system. During activation if it fails you will need to phone Microsoft, say you're performing a downgrade and they will give you a code.
NOTE - You're only allowed to use a already used code for downgrading 10 times.
I had to buy 2 XP Pro licenses for downgrading 20 systems.
 
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