Q about Licensing

I have a XP Pro SP2 disc that is retail NOT OEM, so my question is as
follows;

Right now I have it running on an old AMD 1.4 Athlon machine but this is
only a back up machine and I now want to get my main machine working and of
course I want to put XP Pro SP2 on that, so bearing in mind it's a retail
disc am I allowed to just install it on my other machine Intel P4, I will
only be using one machine at a time so I guess I'm allowed to do this but
don't want to get it wrong and also what's the deal with MS validation
stuff, will it make MS go mad.

As far as I knew this will cause no problems just so long as I only use one
machine at a time, and this I will, I want it on main one as well as a
working backup on the AMD machine but of course I would only use that if the
Intel one died, hope I've made myself clear.

"Jim" luckyjim2000_2000atyahoo.com wrote:

I have a XP Pro SP2 disc that is retail NOT OEM, so my question is as
follows;

Right now I have it running on an old AMD 1.4 Athlon machine but this is
only a back up machine and I now want to get my main machine working and
of course I want to put XP Pro SP2 on that, so bearing in mind it's a

(snip)

Yes. That is the advantage of the retail version - it is completely
transferable from any machine to any machine as long as it is only used on
one machine at a time.

Malke
--
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User
Elephant Boy Computers
www.elephantboycomputers.com
"Don't Panic"

A Windows XP license can only be used on one (1)
computer. A second installation requires a second
license.

From the Windows XP EULA:

1.1 Installation and use. You may install, use, access,
display and run one copy of the Software on a single
computer, such as a workstation, terminal or other
device ("Workstation Computer"). The Software may not
be used by more than two (2) processors at any one
time on any single Workstation Computer.

Please read your End-User License Agreement by going
to Start Run and type: WINVER , and hit enter. Then
click on "End-User License Agreement".

Here's the easiest way to get an additional license. If you already
have a copy of Windows XP and want to pick up an additional full
version or version upgrade, here's how to qualify for and order your
new Product Key quickly and easily.
http://www.microsoft.com/products/in...6-abfee19961df

--
Carey Frisch
Microsoft MVP
Windows - Shell/User

Enjoy all the benefits of genuine Microsoft softwa
http://www.microsoft.com/genuine/default.mspx

---------------------------------------------------------------------------*---------------------------------

"Jim" wrote:

| I have a XP Pro SP2 disc that is retail NOT OEM, so my question is as
| follows;
|
| Right now I have it running on an old AMD 1.4 Athlon machine but this is
| only a back up machine and I now want to get my main machine working and of
| course I want to put XP Pro SP2 on that, so bearing in mind it's a retail
| disc am I allowed to just install it on my other machine Intel P4, I will
| only be using one machine at a time so I guess I'm allowed to do this but
| don't want to get it wrong and also what's the deal with MS validation
| stuff, will it make MS go mad.
|
| As far as I knew this will cause no problems just so long as I only use one
| machine at a time, and this I will, I want it on main one as well as a
| working backup on the AMD machine but of course I would only use that if the
| Intel one died, hope I've made myself clear.

"Carey Frisch [MVP]" wrote in message
...
A Windows XP license can only be used on one (1)
computer. A second installation requires a second
license.

From the Windows XP EULA:

1.1 Installation and use. You may install, use, access,
display and run one copy of the Software on a single
computer, such as a workstation, terminal or other
device ("Workstation Computer"). The Software may not
be used by more than two (2) processors at any one
time on any single Workstation Computer.

Please read your End-User License Agreement by going
to Start Run and type: WINVER , and hit enter. Then
click on "End-User License Agreement".

Here's the easiest way to get an additional license. If you already
have a copy of Windows XP and want to pick up an additional full
version or version upgrade, here's how to qualify for and order your
new Product Key quickly and easily.
http://www.microsoft.com/products/in...6-abfee19961df

--
Carey Frisch
Microsoft MVP
Windows - Shell/User

Enjoy all the benefits of genuine Microsoft softwa
http://www.microsoft.com/genuine/default.mspx

---------------------------------------------------------------------------*---------------------------------


Thanks for reply Carey and fast as well, from what your saying it seems I'm
OK, I may not have explained myself very well.

Yes XP will be installed on 2 machines but only one will ever be used at one
time, Intel (main PC) and AMD will only be used if Intel machine dies on me,
that way if it does I will have a fully working machine (AMD) and the only
thing I will have to do is update the OS and any AV software etc.

This is a very fine line IMO, if what I'm hoping to do is still a no no, how
about taking AMD (back up) machine and making an image of that then wiping
the hard drive, so no os would be on the but I would have a DVD with the
image on it, again that way if Intel (main PC) dies I can just restore AMD's
image, I'm sure that would be OK but what about validation how does that
work in this case.

You can use your retail Windows XP license on a second
computer only if you remove it from the first computer.
If you try to install it on the second computer, it will activate
and it will be authenticated with Windows Genuine Advantage.
However, if you did not remove Windows XP from the first
computer, the next time you use that computer, WGA will
flag it as "non-genuine" since that license was now authenticated
as genuine on the second computer.

--
Carey Frisch
Microsoft MVP
Windows - Shell/User

Enjoy all the benefits of genuine Microsoft softwa
http://www.microsoft.com/genuine/default.mspx

---------------------------------------------------------------------------*---------------------------------

"Jim" wrote:

| Thanks for reply Carey and fast as well, from what your saying it seems I'm
| OK, I may not have explained myself very well.
|
| Yes XP will be installed on 2 machines but only one will ever be used at one
| time, Intel (main PC) and AMD will only be used if Intel machine dies on me,
| that way if it does I will have a fully working machine (AMD) and the only
| thing I will have to do is update the OS and any AV software etc.
|
| This is a very fine line IMO, if what I'm hoping to do is still a no no, how
| about taking AMD (back up) machine and making an image of that then wiping
| the hard drive, so no os would be on the but I would have a DVD with the
| image on it, again that way if Intel (main PC) dies I can just restore AMD's
| image, I'm sure that would be OK but what about validation how does that
| work in this case.

Jim wrote:
I have a XP Pro SP2 disc that is retail NOT OEM, so my question is as
follows;

Right now I have it running on an old AMD 1.4 Athlon machine but this is
only a back up machine and I now want to get my main machine working and of
course I want to put XP Pro SP2 on that, so bearing in mind it's a retail
disc am I allowed to just install it on my other machine Intel P4, I will
only be using one machine at a time so I guess I'm allowed to do this but
don't want to get it wrong and also what's the deal with MS validation
stuff, will it make MS go mad.

As far as I knew this will cause no problems just so long as I only use one
machine at a time, ....


It's not that you can only "use" one machine at a time, but that the OS
can only be *installed* on one machine at a time, regardless of whether
or not which machine is in use.


.... and this I will, I want it on main one as well as a
working backup on the AMD machine but of course I would only use that if the
Intel one died, hope I've made myself clear.




Assuming a retail license (OEM licenses are not legitimately
transferable), simply remove WinXP from the computer it is currently on
and then install it on the new computer. If it's been more than 120
days since you last activated that specific Product Key, the 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:
http://dts-l.org/goodpost.htm
http://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html

They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary
safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. -Benjamin Franklin

Many people would rather die than think; in fact, most do. -Bertrand Russell

Malke wrote:

(snip)

Yes. That is the advantage of the retail version - it is completely
transferable from any machine to any machine as long as it is only used on
one machine at a time.

Malke


Sorry, Malke, but you snipped the portion where the OP said the he
woulds only "use" one machine at a time, but wanted to keep the license
installed on both, one as a backup.


--

Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:
http://dts-l.org/goodpost.htm
http://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html

They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary
safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. -Benjamin Franklin

Many people would rather die than think; in fact, most do. -Bertrand Russell

Jim wrote:
"Carey Frisch [MVP]" wrote in message
...
A Windows XP license can only be used on one (1)
computer. A second installation requires a second
license.

From the Windows XP EULA:

1.1 Installation and use. You may install, use, access,
display and run one copy of the Software on a single
computer, such as a workstation, terminal or other
device ("Workstation Computer"). The Software may not
be used by more than two (2) processors at any one
time on any single Workstation Computer.

Please read your End-User License Agreement by going
to Start Run and type: WINVER , and hit enter. Then
click on "End-User License Agreement".



Thanks for reply Carey and fast as well, from what your saying it seems I'm
OK, I may not have explained myself very well.



No, that's not what Carey said, at all, although I do see how his
phrasing could have been misinterpreted. For the purposes of the EULA,
a license is in "use" if it's installed. The computer needn't even be
turned on. That's why he included the link from which you could obtain
an additional license.

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.

This isn't new, 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.

If you have a retail license, you can buy additional licenses,
assuming one already has 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/h...buy/addlic.asp

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


Yes XP will be installed on 2 machines


Which is a clear violation of the EULA.


but only one will ever be used at one
time,


Irrelevant.

You need to purchase an additional WinXP license (as well as licenses
for any other software applications that you intended to duplicate).


This is a very fine line IMO, if what I'm hoping to do is still a no no, how
about taking AMD (back up) machine and making an image of that then wiping
the hard drive, so no os would be on the but I would have a DVD with the
image on it, again that way if Intel (main PC) dies I can just restore AMD's
image, I'm sure that would be OK but what about validation how does that
work in this case.




--

Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:
http://dts-l.org/goodpost.htm
http://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html

They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary
safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. -Benjamin Franklin

Many people would rather die than think; in fact, most do. -Bertrand Russell

"Bruce Chambers" wrote in message
...
Jim wrote:
I have a XP Pro SP2 disc that is retail NOT OEM, so my question is as
follows;

Right now I have it running on an old AMD 1.4 Athlon machine but this is
only a back up machine and I now want to get my main machine working and
of course I want to put XP Pro SP2 on that, so bearing in mind it's a
retail disc am I allowed to just install it on my other machine Intel P4,
I will only be using one machine at a time so I guess I'm allowed to do
this but don't want to get it wrong and also what's the deal with MS
validation stuff, will it make MS go mad.

As far as I knew this will cause no problems just so long as I only use
one machine at a time, ....


It's not that you can only "use" one machine at a time, but that the OS
can only be *installed* on one machine at a time, regardless of whether or
not which machine is in use.


.... and this I will, I want it on main one as well as a working backup
on the AMD machine but of course I would only use that if the Intel one
died, hope I've made myself clear.


Assuming a retail license (OEM licenses are not legitimately
transferable), simply remove WinXP from the computer it is currently on
and then install it on the new computer. If it's been more than 120 days
since you last activated that specific Product Key, the 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



OK Bruce (and others) I'm getting the drift of it, so even if PC is not
switched on the fact that it is loaded onto the drive is enough to break the
license. Having said that how about taking an image of the AMD (Back up pc)
machine burning that to DVD, then wiping the machine so no OS is on there,
then run my Intel as normal and when/if it goes bang just reload that AMD
image back onto the AMD machine.
I'm not trying to be smart or anything like that I just want to be able to
get my back pc running as fast as possible without a full install again, I
know I will have to make phone call and explain why I need to activate again
but I can see no problem with that.

Jim wrote:
"Bruce Chambers" wrote in message
...
Jim wrote:
I have a XP Pro SP2 disc that is retail NOT OEM, so my question is as
follows;

Right now I have it running on an old AMD 1.4 Athlon machine but this is
only a back up machine and I now want to get my main machine working and
of course I want to put XP Pro SP2 on that, so bearing in mind it's a
retail disc am I allowed to just install it on my other machine Intel P4,
I will only be using one machine at a time so I guess I'm allowed to do
this but don't want to get it wrong and also what's the deal with MS
validation stuff, will it make MS go mad.

As far as I knew this will cause no problems just so long as I only use
one machine at a time, ....

It's not that you can only "use" one machine at a time, but that the OS
can only be *installed* on one machine at a time, regardless of whether or
not which machine is in use.


.... and this I will, I want it on main one as well as a working backup
on the AMD machine but of course I would only use that if the Intel one
died, hope I've made myself clear.

Assuming a retail license (OEM licenses are not legitimately
transferable), simply remove WinXP from the computer it is currently on
and then install it on the new computer. If it's been more than 120 days
since you last activated that specific Product Key, the 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



OK Bruce (and others) I'm getting the drift of it, so even if PC is not
switched on the fact that it is loaded onto the drive is enough to break the
license. Having said that how about taking an image of the AMD (Back up pc)
machine burning that to DVD, then wiping the machine so no OS is on there,
then run my Intel as normal and when/if it goes bang just reload that AMD
image back onto the AMD machine.


That shouldn't be a problem, as the pertinent copyright law explicitly
allows one to make an archival copy of the software.


I'm not trying to be smart or anything like that I just want to be able to
get my back pc running as fast as possible without a full install again, I
know I will have to make phone call and explain why I need to activate again
but I can see no problem with that.



That being the case, why not keep imaged "backups" of the primary
machine, rather than the old one?


--

Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:
http://dts-l.org/goodpost.htm
http://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html

They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary
safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. -Benjamin Franklin

Many people would rather die than think; in fact, most do. -Bertrand Russell

"Bruce Chambers" wrote in message
...
I'm not trying to be smart or anything like that I just want to be able
to get my back pc running as fast as possible without a full install
again, I know I will have to make phone call and explain why I need to
activate again but I can see no problem with that.

That being the case, why not keep imaged "backups" of the primary machine,
rather than the old one?


--

Bruce Chambers

I do that Bruce on main PC, it's just that I'm recovering from hardware
failure and that is my main concern, I do a full image back up every 3 days
(only takes about 30 mins for main OS drives) but as I say it's hardware
failure that worries me.

Well now I know I can take an image of the AMD (back-up) machine then that's
fine for my needs, once again thanks everyone for your help in this matter

'Jim' wrote, in part:
| Well now I know I can take an image of the AMD (back-up) machine then
that's
| fine for my needs, once again thanks everyone for your help in this matter
_____
You still don't get it.
How would you make an image of Windows XP installed on your old system? You
would have to uninstall Windows XP from your main system, install it on the
old system, activate the installation, make an image of the installation,
uninstall Windows XP from the old system, reinstall Windows XP on your main
system, and activate it on the new system. And of course, when you need the
old system, uninstall Windows XP from the main system, load the image on the
old system, .... If that's your idea of a good time, have at it

Phil Weldon

"Jim" luckyjim2000_2000atyahoo.com wrote in message
...
|
| "Bruce Chambers" wrote in message
| ...
| I'm not trying to be smart or anything like that I just want to be able
| to get my back pc running as fast as possible without a full install
| again, I know I will have to make phone call and explain why I need to
| activate again but I can see no problem with that.
|
| That being the case, why not keep imaged "backups" of the primary
machine,
| rather than the old one?
|
|
| --
|
| Bruce Chambers
|
| I do that Bruce on main PC, it's just that I'm recovering from hardware
| failure and that is my main concern, I do a full image back up every 3
days
| (only takes about 30 mins for main OS drives) but as I say it's hardware
| failure that worries me.
|
| Well now I know I can take an image of the AMD (back-up) machine then
that's
| fine for my needs, once again thanks everyone for your help in this matter
|
|

Malke wrote:
"Jim" luckyjim2000_2000atyahoo.com wrote:

I have a XP Pro SP2 disc that is retail NOT OEM, so my question is as
follows;

Right now I have it running on an old AMD 1.4 Athlon machine but
this is only a back up machine and I now want to get my main machine
working and of course I want to put XP Pro SP2 on that, so bearing
in mind it's a

(snip)

Yes. That is the advantage of the retail version - it is completely
transferable from any machine to any machine as long as it is only
used on one machine at a time.

Malke

Actually, no, that's not right. He can not have the SAME XP installed on
two different computers and keep the updates and support going. Activation
will only support one machine.

To get them both to run properly with the udpates et al, he'll need a second
license: One for each machine. Technically at least.
It -might- work if he never lets one machine connect to the 'net and
doesn't mind not getting any updates etc., for it. But both machines will
never be able to be up to date or pass the auth checks in support, etc,
without a second license in place.

HTH, and if I'm wrong, I'm happy to be corrected, but I don't think I am.

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