I have XP Professional - it came with my new computer (last year). I've just
resurrected a laptop and am wondering, since I am the owner of the XP
license, can I install it on the laptop, which I also own? Or do I need to
get an additional license?
No, you may not. The rule is quite clear. It's one copy (or one
license) for each computer.
There's nothing new here. This is exactly the same rule that's been in
effect on every version of Windows starting with Windows 3.1. The only
thing new with XP is that there's now an enforcement mechanism.
If your copy of XP came with the computer, it's undoubtedly an OEM
version, and you can't even buy a second license for that. Second
licenses are available only for retail versions. But a second license
is not generally a good deal anyway. The problem is that Microsoft
sells additional licenses at only a small savings over the list price.
You'd almost certainly be better off just buying a complete second
copy from a discount source.
