Multiple Computers with XP

ERAD Caz · 05-February-04, 06:29 PM

I may be a little paranoid about Microsoft and its evils, but just to make sure...

does installing XP from one purchased CD on more than one computer in the same house and activating it throught the M$ site run some kind of conflict with M$?

Jonny English · 05-February-04, 06:34 PM

I think it probably does

According to what I've been reading (buried somewhere at www.annoyances.org) the XP activation process includes logging what hardware you have in your rig, & part of the key is based on that, meaning it won't work on any other PC...

Having said that, it might work ... I know (not through personal experience, obviously

) that the "Windows Update" works fine for non-legit copies of various MS OS's.

TiZakit · 05-February-04, 06:41 PM

I heard somewhere that they were ignoring it for up to 3 PCs in the same household. I think it was here actually. But I haven't heard it lately.

Rafiki · 05-February-04, 06:46 PM

you you can use the same cd to install on different machines,HOWEVER You Must purchase a License Key for Each computer.
1 license,1 computer.
That is the only legal way to do it.

ERAD Caz · 05-February-04, 07:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TiZakit


	I heard somewhere that they were ignoring it for up to 3 PCs in the same household. I think it was here actually. But I haven't heard it lately.

Sucks for me, I want it on 3 computers in my house

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rafiki


	you you can use the same cd to install on different machines,HOWEVER You Must purchase a License Key for Each computer. 1 license,1 computer. That is the only legal way to do it.

How much do they wanna rip me off for? eh, i mean pay for one license

Lord Dragon · 05-February-04, 08:16 PM

And the extra licences are only $10 cheaper than buying another full copy with disk.

jinxÂ© · 05-February-04, 08:24 PM

I say try it ERAD.

I know first hand that my older brother has XP Home installed on 2 different rigs in his own home, and also on one over at his sons house, all activated using the same product key with no fuss.

ERAD Caz · 05-February-04, 08:29 PM

its better to try than buy and find it useless, the only worry is that activation thing... it gives u 30 days to activate. and if i refuse, "give me XP or give me death!"

does the computer self destruct

or simply go on with life if u dont activate?

vf1000ride · 05-February-04, 08:32 PM

I have xp on both my machines from the same cd key. I have even had to reinstall on them since then and can say that they do limit the number of times you can use it. You get three installs without trouble and one more if you call them and cry the blues about a power surge that takes out your computer. If I'm remembering correctly when I made the mistake of asking MS about it while I had them on the phone begging they said it was $90 for the second licence. I could be off a little though cause this is going back almost 2 years.

Lord Dragon · 05-February-04, 09:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ERAD Caz


	its better to try than buy and find it useless, the only worry is that activation thing... it gives u 30 days to activate. and if i refuse, "give me XP or give me death!" does the computer self destruct or simply go on with life if u dont activate?

It will only boot to an activation screen.

neotheducky · 05-February-04, 09:39 PM

The supposed way they are doing it is clearing the keycode every 120 days. So if you want to install it on another system, you supposedly have to wait 4 months.

However, I currently have XP installed on 3 computers without much problem. If I have to reinstall, its kinda a pain, but all I have to do is call Microsoft Tech Support and they give me a number to put in and it activates fine.

CasseModder · 20-February-04, 07:47 PM

Their is another way but you need Windows XP Pro Corporate Im glad i got that

It installs on all my machines without no problem's

ERAD Caz · 20-February-04, 09:48 PM

For future reference: Micro$oft is more evil than I thought imaginable.

For those getting 2002 or greater versions, only one computer is allowed the COA, and they want another $50 or so for another damn number for ur other household PC's

Knee-ill · 20-February-04, 09:54 PM

If you can find it you can delete the Verify Windows XP process and it won't start counting until you restart your computer!

The problem is that it has a random name each boot up, so learn what is there and what changes

.

Red02 · 20-February-04, 10:38 PM

Your best bet would be to buy the corporate edition no activation needed

Dubbin1 · 22-February-04, 04:23 PM

Jeeze just install it and if it gives you any problems activating it just call MS and tell them you just reformatted or replaced some parts. I do it all the time and they never once gave me a hard time. As a matter of fact I just did it lastnight when I replaced my MB.

Dimazz · 22-February-04, 04:43 PM

I just instal it when ever i need it. Works everytime, registers fine everytime too. HAve it on about 5 rigs (including friends) With same key, never gave me a prob.

TYCOON · 22-February-04, 04:53 PM

I know 7 people using the same ms cd key for about 2 years now and none of them have had any troubles. They caught on to me after installing one of the service packs so i had to change the cd key...

Phhh who pays for stuff

05-February-04, 06:29 PM		#1 (permalink)
ERAD Caz Apex Master Tech	Multiple Computers with XP I may be a little paranoid about Microsoft and its evils, but just to make sure... does installing XP from one purchased CD on more than one computer in the same house and activating it throught the M$ site run some kind of conflict with M$?

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05-February-04, 06:34 PM		#2 (permalink)
Jonny English Etiquette & English Gentleman	I think it probably does According to what I've been reading (buried somewhere at www.annoyances.org) the XP activation process includes logging what hardware you have in your rig, & part of the key is based on that, meaning it won't work on any other PC... Having said that, it might work ... I know (not through personal experience, obviously ) that the "Windows Update" works fine for non-legit copies of various MS OS's.

05-February-04, 06:41 PM		#3 (permalink)
TiZakit Apex Tech Demi-God	I heard somewhere that they were ignoring it for up to 3 PCs in the same household. I think it was here actually. But I haven't heard it lately.

05-February-04, 06:46 PM		#4 (permalink)
Rafiki Apex Tech Maniac	you you can use the same cd to install on different machines,HOWEVER You Must purchase a License Key for Each computer. 1 license,1 computer. That is the only legal way to do it.

05-February-04, 08:16 PM		#6 (permalink)
Lord Dragon Apex Master Tech	And the extra licences are only $10 cheaper than buying another full copy with disk.

05-February-04, 08:24 PM		#7 (permalink)
jinxÂ© Still Duck's Hoe Though	I say try it ERAD. I know first hand that my older brother has XP Home installed on 2 different rigs in his own home, and also on one over at his sons house, all activated using the same product key with no fuss.

05-February-04, 08:29 PM		#8 (permalink)
ERAD Caz Apex Master Tech	its better to try than buy and find it useless, the only worry is that activation thing... it gives u 30 days to activate. and if i refuse, "give me XP or give me death!" does the computer self destruct or simply go on with life if u dont activate?

05-February-04, 08:32 PM		#9 (permalink)
vf1000ride Apex Elite Expert Tech	I have xp on both my machines from the same cd key. I have even had to reinstall on them since then and can say that they do limit the number of times you can use it. You get three installs without trouble and one more if you call them and cry the blues about a power surge that takes out your computer. If I'm remembering correctly when I made the mistake of asking MS about it while I had them on the phone begging they said it was $90 for the second licence. I could be off a little though cause this is going back almost 2 years.

05-February-04, 09:39 PM		#11 (permalink)
neotheducky Rubber Duck-Hoe	The supposed way they are doing it is clearing the keycode every 120 days. So if you want to install it on another system, you supposedly have to wait 4 months. However, I currently have XP installed on 3 computers without much problem. If I have to reinstall, its kinda a pain, but all I have to do is call Microsoft Tech Support and they give me a number to put in and it activates fine.

20-February-04, 07:47 PM		#12 (permalink)
CasseModder Lokie's lil kneeling Hoe	Their is another way but you need Windows XP Pro Corporate Im glad i got that It installs on all my machines without no problem's

20-February-04, 09:48 PM		#13 (permalink)
ERAD Caz Apex Master Tech	For future reference: Micro$oft is more evil than I thought imaginable. For those getting 2002 or greater versions, only one computer is allowed the COA, and they want another $50 or so for another damn number for ur other household PC's

20-February-04, 09:54 PM		#14 (permalink)
Knee-ill Apex Advanced Techie	If you can find it you can delete the Verify Windows XP process and it won't start counting until you restart your computer! The problem is that it has a random name each boot up, so learn what is there and what changes .

20-February-04, 10:38 PM		#15 (permalink)
Red02 Freck-hoe-d	Your best bet would be to buy the corporate edition no activation needed

22-February-04, 04:23 PM		#16 (permalink)
Dubbin1 Apex Techie I	Jeeze just install it and if it gives you any problems activating it just call MS and tell them you just reformatted or replaced some parts. I do it all the time and they never once gave me a hard time. As a matter of fact I just did it lastnight when I replaced my MB.

22-February-04, 04:43 PM		#17 (permalink)
Dimazz Sk8-Hoe-r	I just instal it when ever i need it. Works everytime, registers fine everytime too. HAve it on about 5 rigs (including friends) With same key, never gave me a prob.

22-February-04, 04:53 PM		#18 (permalink)
TYCOON Apex Tech God	I know 7 people using the same ms cd key for about 2 years now and none of them have had any troubles. They caught on to me after installing one of the service packs so i had to change the cd key... Phhh who pays for stuff