XP on more than one pc

  • Thread starter Thread starter Chris R
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Chris R

I have just purchased xp home for my new pc (Self build}
can I use the same copy of xp for my laptop and spouses
pc at same address, also I have had to re-install 4 times
so does this allow me enough installs for 2 more pc's and
finally do I need to contact MS and register each pc.
 
Hi

One copy of XP per PC. So if you want to install XP onto any other machines
you will need to either purchase extra copies of the XP CD or purchase extra
licenses for the XP CD you have ATM:

"Additional Licenses for Windows XP Home Edition"
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/home/howtobuy/addlic.asp

--

Will Denny
MS-MVP Windows - Shell/User
Please reply to the News Groups


| I have just purchased xp home for my new pc (Self build}
| can I use the same copy of xp for my laptop and spouses
| pc at same address, also I have had to re-install 4 times
| so does this allow me enough installs for 2 more pc's and
| finally do I need to contact MS and register each pc.
 
Chris said:
I have just purchased xp home for my new pc (Self build}
can I use the same copy of xp for my laptop and spouses
pc at same address, also I have had to re-install 4 times
so does this allow me enough installs for 2 more pc's and
finally do I need to contact MS and register each pc.
Click to expand...

Erm, no, you can't - it's a per /system/ licence, not a per /site/ licence.
This is how it has been since Windows 3.1. If you have done what you are
suggesting with any other version of Windows you were also in violation of
the EULA.

Here's an analogy for you. Here in the UK, we must have our cars fully taxed
and insured before we are allowed to drive them. Our family has three cars
(my mother's, my father's and my sister's). Now, if I applied your little
supposition here, it would mean that my father could tax and insure his car,
then duplicate his tax disc and insurance documents and give them to my
mother and sister. My mother and sister would then be covered and would be
very surprised when they were arrested for insurance fraud and tax evasion.

If you have four computers you require four licences. Thus it was, is now,
and ever shall be.
 
Greetings --

No, of course not. But you already knew this, didn't you? After
all, the WinXP box is clearly marked as being for installation on only
a single computer, and as you'd have had to have read and agreed to
the EULA during the first installation, you know perfectly well that
you are not be able to legitimately use that license on multiple
machines.

As it has *always* been with *all* Microsoft operating systems,
it's necessary (to be in compliance with both the EULA and U.S.
copyright law http://www4.law.cornell.edu/uscode/17/117.html), if not
technically) to purchase one WinXP license for each computer on which
it is installed. (Consult an attorney versed in copyright law to
determine final applicability in your locale.) The only way in which
WinXP licensing differs from that of earlier versions of Windows is
that Microsoft has finally added a copy protection and anti-theft
mechanism, Product Activation, to prevent (or at least make more
difficult) multiple installations using a single license.

You can buy additional licenses, assuming you have a retail
license. Naturally, Microsoft cannot sell additional OEM licenses.
Be aware, however, that you'll probably pay more this way than you
would if you were to buy a second copy of WinXP from a discount
retailer; Microsoft will only offer you a 15% discount off their MSRP.

Additional Licenses for Windows XP Home Edition
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/home/howtobuy/addlic.asp

Additional Licenses for Windows XP Professional
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/pro/howtobuy/addlic.asp





Bruce Chambers
--
Help us help you:



You can have peace. Or you can have freedom. Don't ever count on
having both at once. - RAH
 
Thanks for response Will, Taken on board and will
purchase additional liciences. thanks!!! Simple answer to
simple question,might be better to keep analogies to ones
self unless you know who your talking to Miss 'P'.!!! But
I do understand what you mean 'Tnx' no offence taken...
 
In the EULA it should tell you.
with both w95 & w98se the OS could be loaded onto 1 Home computer and 1 Laptop but both are not allowed to be used at the same time.
 
Yes I guess so, but normally buy pc pre loaded with
operating system so have never had the need to have same
system on more than 1 pc. I also note comments regards
oem versions which mine is, I assume this means my only
option is to purchase another copy or upgrade version?
-----Original Message-----
Greetings --

No, of course not. But you already knew this, didn't you? After
all, the WinXP box is clearly marked as being for installation on only
a single computer, and as you'd have had to have read and agreed to
the EULA during the first installation, you know perfectly well that
you are not be able to legitimately use that license on multiple
machines.

As it has *always* been with *all* Microsoft operating systems,
it's necessary (to be in compliance with both the EULA and U.S.
copyright law
Click to expand...
http://www4.law.cornell.edu/uscode/17/117.html), if not
 
Hi

Was that the OS or MS Office?

--

Will Denny
MS-MVP Windows - Shell/User
Please reply to the News Groups


| In the EULA it should tell you.
| with both w95 & w98se the OS could be loaded onto 1 Home computer and 1
Laptop but both are not allowed to be used at the same time.
|
|
|
| "Chris R" wrote:
|
| > I have just purchased xp home for my new pc (Self build}
| > can I use the same copy of xp for my laptop and spouses
| > pc at same address, also I have had to re-install 4 times
| > so does this allow me enough installs for 2 more pc's and
| > finally do I need to contact MS and register each pc.
| >
 
Greetings --

That's completely false, I'm afraid. Neither Win9x EULA allowed
any such thing.

While what you claim is true of _some_ Microsoft applications
(retail licenses only), the one-desktop-and-one-portable-computer
allowance has _never_ applied to Microsoft's operating systems.


Bruce Chambers
--
Help us help you:



You can have peace. Or you can have freedom. Don't ever count on
having both at once. - RAH


fluxem said:
In the EULA it should tell you.
with both w95 & w98se the OS could be loaded onto 1 Home computer
Click to expand...
and 1 Laptop but both are not allowed to be used at the same time.
 
Greetings --

Yes, you'll need to purchase a separate WinXP license for each
computer on which you wish to install the OS. If you already have a
qualifying, earlier OS installed one those additional computers,
purchasing Upgrade license(s) would certainly make more sense,
economically.

There are some very important reasons that an OEM license costs so
much less than a retail license. OEM licenses are very limited:

1) OEM versions must be sold with a piece of hardware (normally
a motherboard or hard drive, if not an entire PC, although Microsoft
has greatly relaxed the hardware criteria for WinXP) and are
_permanently_ bound to the first PC on which they are installed. An
OEM license, once installed, is not legally transferable to another
computer under any circumstances. This is the main reason some people
avoid OEM versions; if the PC dies or is otherwise disposed of (even
stolen), you cannot re-use your OEM license on a new PC. The only
legitimate way to transfer the ownership of an installed OEM license
is to transfer ownership of the entire PC.

2) Microsoft provides no free support for OEM versions. If you
have any problems that require outside assistance, your only recourse
is to contact the manufacturer/builder of the PC or the vendor of the
OEM license. This would include such issues as lost a Product Key or
replacing damaged installation media. (Microsoft does make allowances
for those instances when you can prove that the OEM has gone out of
business.) This doesn't mean that you can't download patches and
service packs from Microsoft -- just no free telephone or email
support for problems with the OS.

3) Unlike a full version retail CD, an OEM CD cannot be used to
perform an upgrade of an earlier OS, as it was designed to be
installed _only_ upon an empty hard drive. It can still be used to
perform a repair installation (a.k.a. an in-place upgrade) of an
existing WinXP installation.

4) If the OEM CD was designed by a specific manufacturer, such as
eMachines, Sony, Dell, Gateway, etc., it will most likely only install
on the same brand/model of PC, as an additional anti-piracy feature.
Further, such CDs are often severely customized to contain only the
minimum of device drivers, and a lot of extra nonsense, that the
manufacturer feels necessary for the specific model of PC for which
the CD was designed. (To be honest, such CDs should _not_ be
available on the open market; but, if you're shopping someplace like
eBay, eastern European web sites, swap meets, or computer fairs,
there's often no telling what you're buying until it's too late.) The
"generic" OEM CDs, such as are manufactured by Microsoft and sold to
small systems builders, don't have this particular problem, though,
and are pretty much the same as their retail counterparts, apart from
the licensing, support, and upgrading restrictions.


Bruce Chambers
--
Help us help you:



You can have peace. Or you can have freedom. Don't ever count on
having both at once. - RAH
 
In
fluxem said:
In the EULA it should tell you.
with both w95 & w98se the OS could be loaded onto 1 Home computer and
1 Laptop but both are not allowed to be used at the same time.
Click to expand...


Sorry, but that's not true. Go back and read the EULAs again.
It's long been one copy (or one license) required for each
computer. 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.
 
Thank you very much Bruce,

You've certainly helped me alot, I now have a much better
understanding. The oem version I have was purchased as
part of the pc kit at a fair, I did not realise until
installation problems that it was oem, although not make
specific, in fact I had no idea of the difference until
you so clearly explained. I think its fair to say you get
what you pay for.What appears to be a bargain at these
computer fairs is not neccesarily so.I'll know next time

Thanks once again, Cheers for now

Chris R
 
Greetings --

You're welcome.

Bruce Chambers
--
Help us help you:



You can have peace. Or you can have freedom. Don't ever count on
having both at once. - RAH
 
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