license

[Darren]

If I were to install XP on one computer then uninstall it
and re-install it to a totally different computer, would I
be violating any licensing laws? Do I need another serial
number? Do I have to re-register?

[Jupiter Jones [MVP]]

Darren;
As long as it is retail and not OEM, you can remove it from one
computer and then install to another.
You can do this as much as you want as long as it is not installed on
more than one computer at a time.

Registration includes personal information and is optional
Activation (no personal information) will be required upon
installation.
Worst case is a 5 minute toll free call to Microsoft.

--
Jupiter Jones [MVP]
An easier way to read newsgroup messages:
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/pro/using/newsgroups/setup.asp
Please respond to newsgroup only for everyone's benefit.


"Darren" > wrote in message
...
> If I were to install XP on one computer then uninstall it
> and re-install it to a totally different computer, would I
> be violating any licensing laws? Do I need another serial
> number? Do I have to re-register?

[Bruce Chambers]

Greetings --

Assuming a retail license, simply remove WinXP from the computer
it is currently on, and install it onto the new one. If it's been
more than 120 days since you last activated that specific Product Key,
you'll most likely be able to activate via the Internet without
problem. If it's been less, you might have to make a 5 minute phone
call.

Here are the facts pertaining to activation:

Piracy Basics - Microsoft Product Activation
http://www.microsoft.com/piracy/basics/activation/

Windows Product Activation (WPA)
http://www.aumha.org/a/wpa.htm


Bruce Chambers

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


"Darren" > wrote in message
...
> If I were to install XP on one computer then uninstall it
> and re-install it to a totally different computer, would I
> be violating any licensing laws? Do I need another serial
> number? Do I have to re-register?

[Alex Nichol]

Darren wrote:

>If I were to install XP on one computer then uninstall it
>and re-install it to a totally different computer, would I
>be violating any licensing laws? Do I need another serial
>number? Do I have to re-register?

Provided it is a retail copy, not an 'OEM' one sold as part of a
hardware bundle, then you can transfer it like that - when it comes to
activate (don't bother with registering) you may find it will go through
on the net anyway - if more than 120 days since you last did it
certainly will. If not, you will have to phone a toll-free number that
will be given, to explain it has been removed from the first machine,
and swap one long number for another to check back as you type it in

--
Alex Nichol MS MVP (Windows Technologies)
Bournemouth, U.K.