Archived from groups: microsoft.public.windowsxp.basics (
More info?)
Bruce Chambers wrote:
> Greetings --
>
> Just why, exactly, do you find this "unbelievable?" Can you buy a
> set of license plates for a single automobile, and use them on every
> other car that your family members own/drive? Can you take your
> family to a local restaurant, feed them all separate meals from the
> menu, and pay for only one entree? If you purchase a single loaf of
> bread, can you leave the store with four loaves?
>
> Just as it says, right on the box, you'll need to purchase a
> separate WinXP license for each computer on which you install it.
>
> 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
>
> I do agree that it would be nice if Microsoft were to offer some
> sort of "family" or "household" licensing that offered a substantial
> discount to consumers, especially now that multiple-PC households are
> becoming much more common. However, in a free enterprise society,
> Microsoft, just like any other business, is entitled to sell their
> product as they wish. Sadly, though, since the overwhelming majority
> of home users buy their PCs with the OS pre-installed, there's really
> very little business incentive for Microsoft to develop and manage yet
> another retail licensing scheme.
>
>
> Bruce Chambers
>
> "tw" <twrn@hotmail.com> wrote in message
> news:64d801c482c3$cb5fbfe0$a501280a@phx.gbl...
>> I have 2 desktops and 2 laptops on the same network in my
>> home. Is there anyway I can install Windows XP without
>> spending $400 for 4 separate programs. Surely as high
>> tech as Microsoft is, there must be some way they can
>> issue keys to activate xp just as they give one key code
>> for each disc. It seems they should be able to give the
>> private user more than one key code for cases like this
>> where there is more than one computer in the home. Even
>> if they charged a fee of about $20 for a new key for each
>> computer it would be better than the charge of $85 ($95
>> to purchase a new program) to obtain a license for each
>> computer. Unbelievable! Is it the same with Windows XP
>> Professional?
To add to that - if you can afford four computers, then you can afford 4 XP
licences. If you can't, tough. I have three computers and I have managed to
purchase a licence for each (two Pro, one Home). I also have a laptop
running 98 - you don't have to upgrade every single computer to XP - I
couldn't upgrade my laptop, it simply wouldn't take it. My P3 1.2GHz was
running 2000 until very recently (the hard drive died and Dad no longer had
the disc to reinstall 2000) so I bought a second Pro licence. My mother's
computer runs Home. I also have three Office 2003 licences.
--
My great-grandfather was born and raised in Elgin - did he eventually
lose his marbles?
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