Installing XP on more than one machine?

[sdausmus]

Is there a way to install a single retail copy of XP (Home or Pro) onto more than 1 computer? I know there's a file that you can copy back into the System32 folder if you're reinstalling, but I'm not sure if that'll work. I had heard that after 120 days, the keys Microsoft gives you over the phone to activate Windows will reset, allowing you to use them again, but I don't want to wait if I don't have to.

 

[AMD_Man]

You realize what you're asking is illegal...

AMD technology + Intel technology = Intel/AMD Pentathlon IV; the <b>ULTIMATE</b> PC processor

 

[dhlucke]

Jaywalking is illegal and I'm pretty sure it's Pensylvania where women aren't allowed to drive a car without a person walking in front of the vehicle waving a flag and blowing a horn.

<font color=red>God</font color=red> <font color=blue>Bless</font color=blue> <font color=red>America!</font color=red>

 

[upec]

I think the license allow you install one copy of Win XP to one laptop and one desktop.

 

[sdausmus]

Nope, neither Home nor Pro will let you do that.

 

[Toejam31]

That depends on the EULA (End User License Agreement, which can vary.

Toejam31

<font color=red>My Rig:</font color=red> <A HREF="http://www.anandtech.com/mysystemrig.html?rigid=6847" target="_new">http://www.anandtech.com/mysystemrig.html?rigid=6847</A>
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<font color=purple>"Procrastination on your part does not constitute an emergency on my part."</font color=purple>

 

[Guest]

I've bought Win 3.1, Win 95, Win 98SE, and Win 2k all in the last few years. But I own 3 computers and 2 of them almost always run a MS OS. Due to the fact that MS won't let XP be installed on more than one machine without purchasing another licence I decided to stop supporting MS because I simply cannot afford to buy more than one so I had to resort to finding a copy of XP online that allows me to install on as many machines as I like. I've had no problems with it what so ever and saved myself a few hundred $. MS thought they would piss off the crackers out there with their new OS but it seems they strive for this kinda stuff and the only people it really effected is the people who actually purchased their OS.

 

[AMD_Man]

What you were doing was illegal all along. If you actually paid attention to the licence agreement, you'd know. You had to purchase separate versions of Windows for each PC all along. Microsoft changed nothing!!

AMD technology + Intel technology = Intel/AMD Pentathlon IV; the <b>ULTIMATE</b> PC processor

 

[sdausmus]

Well, they changed how they go about enforcing it.

 

[Tom_Smart]

you've just gotta love the corporate edition!!!

Although it has a lot of good ideas, beer doesn't know anything about computers!!!