Vista CD key locked to one PC?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Noozer
  • Start date Start date
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Noozer

I have a laptop and a desktop PC. I use the laptop when I'm on the road and
the desktop when at home.

Putting aside the legal ramifications of using the same CD key on both
machines, will one PC stop working if I install Vista Home Premium upgrade
over Win XP Pro on both machines using the same key?

Both PC's have internet connections. There should never be a point where
both PC's are on at the same time, but if this happens is there any
consequence to the operation of the PC's?
 
Aside from the legal ramifications, and the call to Microsoft to activate
the second machine (it should give you an error saying the key is in use),
it will work. It's not going to deactivate one saying that another is in
use. Even if both are running and on the internet at the same time.
 
Noozer said:
I have a laptop and a desktop PC. I use the laptop when I'm on the road and
the desktop when at home.

Putting aside the legal ramifications of using the same CD key on both
machines, will one PC stop working if I install Vista Home Premium upgrade
over Win XP Pro on both machines using the same key?

Both PC's have internet connections. There should never be a point where
both PC's are on at the same time, but if this happens is there any
consequence to the operation of the PC's?
Click to expand...

You can't just ignore the "legal ramifications " - it is this simple -
without buying 2 licenses you are attempting to run and activate one license
for Windows Vista on 2 PCs. This is prevented by the requirement of
mandatory activation.
The second activation will fail and you will not be activated by the
clearing house even over the telephone if you do not purchase another
license for the second machine.
 
Aside from the legal ramifications, and the call to Microsoft to activate
the second machine (it should give you an error saying the key is in use),
it will work. It's not going to deactivate one saying that another is in
use. Even if both are running and on the internet at the same time.
Click to expand...

Won't the second machine refuse to download future Windows updates,
saying that an illegal copy of Windows is in use?
 
Mike Brannigan said:
You can't just ignore the "legal ramifications " - it is this simple -
without buying 2 licenses you are attempting to run and activate one
license for Windows Vista on 2 PCs. This is prevented by the requirement
of mandatory activation.
Click to expand...

I didn't say ignore, I set put aside.

In other words...

The correct answer for "If I walk into a bank with a gun and demand $10,000
in $20.00 bills, how big of a sack do I need?" is not "You can't walk into a
bank with a gun and demand anything."
The second activation will fail and you will not be activated by the
clearing house even over the telephone if you do not purchase another
license for the second machine.
Click to expand...

So, if I purchase a RETAIL copy of Vista, then buy a new PC I can't use my
previous copy?

I've activated my copy of Windows XP Pro about a dozen times over the years
and never had a complaint from the folks on the phone.

.... and what if I install multiple, separate copies to the same PC? It's
only installed on one computer, but will require multiple activations.
 
Thanks. I know that I'd probably need to do a phone activation on the second
PC.

Technically, I could format one PC and install the other whenever I need to
switch and I should always be "legal" that way. It's feasible, but a PITA,
since my laptop goes on the road with me for a month or more at a time.
 
The EULA states that it's one install per license. If it's one PC with 6
hard drive with 6 instances of Vista, it's going to be 6 licenses, too.
(Virtualization via Virtual PC or other has different guidelines, though. )

But, they won't be deactivated (with the way it is right now). And a call to
Microsoft saying that you are "reinstalling" will get it activated.

Legal? No way. Doable? Yes.

--
Dustin Harper
(e-mail address removed)
http://www.vistarip.com

--
 
Noozer said:
I didn't say ignore, I set put aside.

In other words...

The correct answer for "If I walk into a bank with a gun and demand
$10,000 in $20.00 bills, how big of a sack do I need?" is not "You can't
walk into a bank with a gun and demand anything."


So, if I purchase a RETAIL copy of Vista, then buy a new PC I can't use my
previous copy?
Click to expand...

If you purchase a retail copy and you install it on one PC then buy another
PC and you want to ALSO install Vista to that PC then you buy another
license for Vista.
If you are scrapping the first PC or running some other OS on it then you
are allowed to MOVE the license from the first machine to the second.
I've activated my copy of Windows XP Pro about a dozen times over the
years and never had a complaint from the folks on the phone.
Click to expand...

Indeed you can reactivate as much as you like as long as you are within the
license of one per install to a device. This can be the same machine being
reactivated or another if you have moved he license and are not still
running that licensed copy on the previous machine.

... and what if I install multiple, separate copies to the same PC? It's
only installed on one computer, but will require multiple activations.
Click to expand...

The license is clear -
1.b. License Model. The software is licensed on a per copy per device
basis.
2. INSTALLATION AND USE RIGHTS. Before you use the software under a
license, you must assign that license to one device (physical hardware
system). That device is the "licensed device." A hardware partition or
blade is considered to be a separate device.
a. Licensed Device. You may install one copy of the software on the
licensed device. You may use the software on up to two processors on that
device at one time. Except as provided in the Storage and Network Use
(Ultimate edition) sections below, you may not use the software on any other
device.

So multiple installations to the device require multiple licenses.
(expect in the case of using it within a Virtual Machine - dependent on
edition of Vista you have as only certain ones are licensed or use at the
same time as the physical OS in VM).
 
Dustin Harper said:
The EULA states that it's one install per license. If it's one PC with 6
hard drive with 6 instances of Vista, it's going to be 6 licenses, too.
(Virtualization via Virtual PC or other has different guidelines,
though. )

But, they won't be deactivated (with the way it is right now). And a call
to Microsoft saying that you are "reinstalling" will get it activated.

Legal? No way. Doable? Yes.
Click to expand...

Doing so would make you a thief/pirate and a liar.

Pretty poor advice
 
Like he had said before: can it be done? not Should it be done? It's not
legal in any way, but it is doable. Same as its doable to rob a bank, steal
a car, etc. I'm not saying to do it, but it can be done. I won't do it,
haven't tested it... Poor advice? Yes. You are correct. And if he does do
it, yes, it is Piracy. But, regardless of whether or not I told him yes or
no, he can still install it multiple times. At least I told him it wasn't
legal to do so, but it is doable.

Quote:
--
I didn't say ignore, I set put aside.

In other words...

The correct answer for "If I walk into a bank with a gun and demand $10,000
in $20.00 bills, how big of a sack do I need?" is not "You can't walk into a
bank with a gun and demand anything."

--



--
Dustin Harper
(e-mail address removed)
http://www.vistarip.com

--
 
Were you talking about the OP or Microsoft? With all the court cases MS is
or has been involved in the past couple of years it's difficult to discern
who you were referring to.....

Bob S.
 
Dustin said:
Aside from the legal ramifications, and the call to Microsoft to activate
the second machine (it should give you an error saying the key is in use),
it will work. It's not going to deactivate one saying that another is in
use. Even if both are running and on the internet at the same time.
Click to expand...
Actually it will. Product Activation phones home every few days.
 
Thanks. I know that I'd probably need to do a phone activation on the second
PC.

Technically, I could format one PC and install the other whenever I need to
switch and I should always be "legal" that way.
Click to expand...

You won't be.
It's feasible, but a PITA,
since my laptop goes on the road with me for a month or more at a time.
Click to expand...
Good luck...you're gonna need it.
 
I didn't say ignore, I set put aside.
Click to expand...

Same thing.

I've activated my copy of Windows XP Pro about a dozen times over the years
and never had a complaint from the folks on the phone.
Click to expand...
And now it's different thanks to people taking the piss.
... and what if I install multiple, separate copies to the same PC? It's
only installed on one computer, but will require multiple activations.
Click to expand...
No it won't because the hardware that the PA key is generated from
remains the same.
 
Why not?
Click to expand...
It can only be installed on one computer. You'll have it installed on
two. The only way it'll be legal is if it's a Retail version and
uninstalled from the computer not in use.
 
Conor said:
Same thing.


And now it's different thanks to people taking the piss.

No it won't because the hardware that the PA key is generated from
remains the same.
Click to expand...


I believe installing to a different hard drive in the same computer will
trigger activation. I don't think installing to a second partition on the
same hard drive will. Either way per the license it's one install per
license.
 
Technically, I could format one PC and install the other whenever I
It can only be installed on one computer. You'll have it installed on
two. The only way it'll be legal is if it's a Retail version and
uninstalled from the computer not in use.
Click to expand...

Read the above again. I said formated one PC and install the other when I
need to switch.

....and technically, I just need to "retire" the first PC, so I could just
dismantle it.
 
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