Is this (a) legal and (b) possible?

  • Thread starter Thread starter EGR
  • Start date Start date
E

EGR

Hi

My friend just bought a secondhand computer, and when I looked at it, I
realized it had an illegal copy of Win2000 Pro.

I suggested we format and install a legal copy of XP Home, but (living on a
Greek island) it's gonna take about 10 days to arrive!

Can I install my copy of XP home, and then, before activation, when his disk
arrives, change the CD key and activate it?

Is this (at least reasonably) legal?

Is it technically possible?

TIA

EGR
 
Hi.

It is technically illegal - even to temporarily 'pinch' it.

Worse. You will not be able to change the key on an identical installation.
Installing temporarily or otherwise will set the OS to recognise only the
original version forcing you to do a Clean Install of the new CD.

That said, it's not a bad idea to do a clean install anyway....

Good luck,

Ed
 
Hi,

Technically, no, it's not within the terms of the eula. Will it work? Yep,
probably, as long as both are retail disks and your friend doesn't mind
doing a repair installation with the new key when it arrives. See the steps
here:
http://michaelstevenstech.com/XPrepairinstall.htm

Keep in mind that you cannot upgrade a Win2000 installation to WinXP Home,
so a format/clean install will be necessary using a full version retail
disk. Do not use an OEM disk.

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers aka "Nutcase" MS-MVP - Win9x
Windows isn't rocket science! That's my other hobby!

Associate Expert - WinXP - Expert Zone
 
EGR said:
My friend just bought a secondhand computer, and when I looked at it, I
realized it had an illegal copy of Win2000 Pro.

I suggested we format and install a legal copy of XP Home, but (living on a
Greek island) it's gonna take about 10 days to arrive!

Can I install my copy of XP home, and then, before activation, when his disk
arrives, change the CD key and activate it?
Click to expand...

Yes, given that they are the same 'flavor' of XP - as long as the proper
key arrives in time!. When it does, set out to activate, taking the
'by phoning in' option. Before doing so there is an opportunity to
change key. Do so, accept, then cancel out without phoning, and run
activation again, this time being on the net first
 
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