Rules for usage of XP PRO

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Guest

I will be getting another computer shortly, (w/ NO O.S.)
and want to install XP PRO. I have many questions.

1)What to buy?...I see OEM, full oem, full retail. What
is the pro and cons for using or buying each? Which is
better?

2)Is a "full oem" version the same software as a full
retail?

3)Can I put XP on my new comp and then again on a third
one that I plan to buy a month later?

4)What is all the hype about registering. Can I install
and use the full software without registering w/Microsoft?

5)Can you still do live update without registering?

6)If I'm not allowed to use it on more than one computer,
that's fine, but how will they know? I ask this not so
much to use one copy for a million computers but in
curiosity on HOW Microsoft would KNOW...are they allowed
or have ways where they look into your computer (snoop)
and "verify" things??

7)If I buy a copy from EBAY or somewhere, what happens if
they lied about it not being registered. A friend told me
that it wouldn't matter as long as I just use it without
registering it. Is that true. How can I know if I have a
legal copy without necessarily letting Microsoft know
which copy I have?

8)If I want to also install Office pro 2003 do I need to
buy 3 copies for 3 home computers? That would be $1500
and seems a bit much (to put it nicely) for one poor soul
to put it on all his personal computers.
 
You can start by reading the EULA for Office. You can find them at:
http://www.microsoft.com/office/eula/en.mspx

See below for the rest of my answers

Brian

I will be getting another computer shortly, (w/ NO O.S.)
and want to install XP PRO. I have many questions.

1)What to buy?...I see OEM, full oem, full retail. What
is the pro and cons for using or buying each? Which is
better?
Click to expand...
Full retail gives you support from M$ and allows you to uninstall it and
move it to another PC.
OEM has no support other then that provided by the OEM. It is locked to
the first PC that it is installed on and cannot be transferred.
2)Is a "full oem" version the same software as a full
retail? They are the same.

3)Can I put XP on my new comp and then again on a third
one that I plan to buy a month later?
Click to expand...
OEM - No.
Retail - Yes, No, Maybe. You can install on a desktop and a laptop if
you are the primary user of both and both copies will not be in use at
the same time. If you qualify for the Student and Teacher edition, you
can install it on three PCs. Read the EULA.
4)What is all the hype about registering. Can I install
and use the full software without registering w/Microsoft?
Click to expand...
You do not need to register. You must Activate. Registering send M$ you
name, address, etc. Activation sends them the license key and a hash
identifying the hardware of the PC on which you installed Office.
5)Can you still do live update without registering?
Click to expand...
Yes. Registering is optional. If you haven't activated, you have a
limited amount of time before Office basically quits working.
6)If I'm not allowed to use it on more than one computer,
that's fine, but how will they know? I ask this not so
much to use one copy for a million computers but in
curiosity on HOW Microsoft would KNOW...are they allowed
or have ways where they look into your computer (snoop)
and "verify" things?? See the answer to #4.

7)If I buy a copy from EBAY or somewhere, what happens if
they lied about it not being registered. A friend told me
that it wouldn't matter as long as I just use it without
registering it. Is that true. How can I know if I have a
legal copy without necessarily letting Microsoft know
which copy I have?
Click to expand...
When it comes to the activation step, Office can refuse the automatic
internet activation. Then you have to phone M$ and explain the situation
and ask for a manual activation.
8)If I want to also install Office pro 2003 do I need to
buy 3 copies for 3 home computers? That would be $1500
and seems a bit much (to put it nicely) for one poor soul
to put it on all his personal computers.
Click to expand...
If you qualify for Student and Teacher edition, that gives you three
installs.
 
OEM - No.
Retail - Yes, No, Maybe. You can install on a desktop and a laptop if
you are the primary user of both and both copies will not be in use at
the same time. If you qualify for the Student and Teacher edition, you
can install it on three PCs. Read the EULA.
Click to expand...

This is incorrect. Some version of Office allow you to install on a
Desktop and a Laptop. Nut. No version of Windows allows this.

--

David

Programmers write "Help Files" for a reason. use them.

"Due to Viewer dicretion...
Graphic violence is advised"

http://www.HeroicStories.com/
http://www.thisistrue.com/
 
I will be getting another computer shortly, (w/ NO O.S.)
and want to install XP PRO. I have many questions.

1)What to buy?...I see OEM, full oem, full retail. What
is the pro and cons for using or buying each? Which is
better?
Click to expand...

Most would recommend a retail version.

OEM is limited. It is tied to the first computer it's installed on.
You can't move it to another, even if the old computer dies. OEM has no
MS support, though you still get the updates. OEM can only do Clean
installs. You ca't use it to Upgrade a previous OS.
2)Is a "full oem" version the same software as a full
retail?
Click to expand...

Exceot for the licensing limitations, Yes
3)Can I put XP on my new comp and then again on a third
one that I plan to buy a month later?
Click to expand...

Only if you remove it from the old computer and it's a retail version.
4)What is all the hype about registering. Can I install
and use the full software without registering w/Microsoft?
Click to expand...

Registering, Giving MS your Name, Address, Phone, etc. is optional.
Activation is required.
5)Can you still do live update without registering?
Click to expand...

Without registering? Yes. But if you don't activate, XP will stop
working in 30 days until you do activate.
6)If I'm not allowed to use it on more than one computer,
that's fine, but how will they know? I ask this not so
much to use one copy for a million computers but in
curiosity on HOW Microsoft would KNOW...are they allowed
or have ways where they look into your computer (snoop)
and "verify" things??
Click to expand...

XP uses certain ID numbers from your hardware to create a hash code.
This hash and Product ID is sent to MS during activation and MS will
give you the activation code. If you try to activate on a another
computer, a differnet hash code will be sent with the Product ID. MS will
see a differnet hash code attached to a Product ID that has been used
already and not send the activation code. If you change enough hardware,
or move XP to a new system within 120 days, you will need to make a 5
minute phone call to MS to activate. This process is usually hassle-
free.. Just explain what happend. Note - The hash code can't be reversed
to indentify any of your hardware.

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/pro/evaluation/overviews/activation.as
p for more information
7)If I buy a copy from EBAY or somewhere, what happens if
they lied about it not being registered. A friend told me
that it wouldn't matter as long as I just use it without
registering it. Is that true. How can I know if I have a
legal copy without necessarily letting Microsoft know
which copy I have?
Click to expand...

Buying from Ebay you take your chances that everything is legit. Ebay
tries to keep dishonest sellers off thier system. But, there is no
gurantee. If you do buy and get a pirated copy, You can file a complaint
with Ebay, and possible files charges with the police. But, good luck.
Personally, I wouldn't buy from there.
8)If I want to also install Office pro 2003 do I need to
buy 3 copies for 3 home computers? That would be $1500
and seems a bit much (to put it nicely) for one poor soul
to put it on all his personal computers.
Click to expand...

Almost all retail software is the same. One copy, one computer. Your
finacial situation is not a vendors concern. You can try Openoffice.org
for a free Office Clone.

--

David

Programmers write "Help Files" for a reason. use them.

"Due to Viewer dicretion...
Graphic violence is advised"

http://www.HeroicStories.com/
http://www.thisistrue.com/
 
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