Installing Windows on multiple computers

JohnJSal · 12-17-2007, 04:49 AM

Two questions:

1. Can you install an OEM version of XP on multiple computers? Is there anything physically preventing you from doing this? i.e. the disc just won't work on the second attempt?

2. Can you install the retail version of XP on multiple computers?

Thanks.

**The_Other_One** · 12-17-2007, 04:52 AM

No and no. Not unless you get some copy with multiple licenses.

JohnJSal · 12-17-2007, 04:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The_Other_One

No and no. Not unless you get some copy with multiple licenses.

Ok, but when you say "no", what exactly is preventing you? Legal issues, or can you simply not do it at all, as in, it just won't work?

OvenMaster · 12-17-2007, 06:06 AM

Both, actually. The license for a plain copy of Windows specifically says that you can only install it on one computer unless you have what's called Volume Licensing, and that's for businesses with many computers. You pay a certain fee per computer.

If you try to install a plain single copy of Windows on more than one computer, Microsoft's database already has the product code you used as being installed already on one computer. When you try to install it on a second PC, the database will say you can't do it because the Product Code is already in use.

I forget exactly if this happens when installing or trying to activate it within 30 days.

JohnJSal · 12-17-2007, 06:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OvenMaster

Both, actually. The license for a plain copy of Windows specifically says that you can only install it on one computer unless you have what's called Volume Licensing, and that's for businesses with many computers. You pay a certain fee per computer.

If you try to install a plain single copy of Windows on more than one computer, Microsoft's database already has the product code you used as being installed already on one computer. When you try to install it on a second PC, the database will say you can't do it because the Product Code is already in use.

I forget exactly if this happens when installing or trying to activate it within 30 days.

Ah, that makes more sense. But what if it's uninstalled from a computer before it's reinstalled on another? Is there a way for MS to know the product code isn't in use anymore?

12-17-2007, 04:49 AM	#1 (permalink)
JohnJSal Platinum Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Hoboken, NJ Age: 28 Posts: 523	Installing Windows on multiple computers Two questions: 1. Can you install an OEM version of XP on multiple computers? Is there anything physically preventing you from doing this? i.e. the disc just won't work on the second attempt? 2. Can you install the retail version of XP on multiple computers? Thanks.

12-17-2007, 04:52 AM	#2 (permalink)
The_Other_One Super Moderator Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Lexington, NC Age: 23 Posts: 12,307	No and no. Not unless you get some copy with multiple licenses. __________________ Urban De-Development * Athlon X2 4200 \| 2048M RAM \| 160G HD \| 7600GT * C2D T5250 \| 2048M RAM \| 160G HD \| Intel x3100 * G4 1.33GHz \| 512M RAM \| 40G HD \| Radeon 9200

12-17-2007, 06:06 AM	#4 (permalink)
OvenMaster VIP Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Away for a while Age: 49 Posts: 1,961	Both, actually. The license for a plain copy of Windows specifically says that you can only install it on one computer unless you have what's called Volume Licensing, and that's for businesses with many computers. You pay a certain fee per computer. If you try to install a plain single copy of Windows on more than one computer, Microsoft's database already has the product code you used as being installed already on one computer. When you try to install it on a second PC, the database will say you can't do it because the Product Code is already in use. I forget exactly if this happens when installing or trying to activate it within 30 days. __________________ Frankenbox III: CPU: AMD Athlon 64 X2 4200+ * MOBO: Biostar K8M800 Micro AM2 * RAM: 2x1GB Kingston DDR2 667 HDD: WD 80GB Master, Seagate 320GB Slave * DVD: Pioneer DVR-115DBK & LiteOn SOHW-812S DVD/CD burners PSU: Antec SmartPower 2.0 350W * GPU: PNY GeForce FX5200 256MB AGP 8x * MON: ViewSonic LCD VA721 CASE: eMachines * SND: Diamond Xtreme 5.1 * PRN: Epson C88+ * OS: XP Home SP2 *** ROUTER: Linksys BEFSR41

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