In theory, if I bought another computer is it possible to install my XP onto that computer also? Or is there legal and/or operating problems which might occur? Thanks, John

 

You can install it but it will quit working after 30 days because you won't be able to activate it.

Edwin

 

In fact, After tomorrow, you won't be able to re-install XP on your own PC without calling Microsoft and answering a bunch of questions. OEM's were installing hte same copy multiple times because it didn't have to be activated in the OEM kit so Mickysloth was getting screwed.

Edwin

 

Yes, there are ways to fake the registration. Google it if you want. Of course, it's copyright violation....

 

Strange......

I have two comp's and have been running XP on both of them for over a year now and have had no problems (have it on a lap top too .. well did, till my son got it overheated and fried the motherboard! ) - I even get updates on both....

 

I've tried the Key generators on the Warez sites but the numbers they generate won't authenticate with Microsoft. Each copy of XP has a different KEY code which is used to install the OS. When you first start it up, it will ask you to Activate it with Microsoft. You can go online and do it automagically or there is an 800 number you can call and go through a proceedure which involves talking to a computer at Microsoft to exchange codes to get it activated.

Some Keys are for large corporate licenses and are unlimited and a few of these keys were out on the net but Microsoft has de-activated these so they won't work any longer.

Also, there are some keys which allow multiple activation. I am a Microsoft Registered Member and I purchased the Action Pack which is whole big package of Microsoft software. The XP keys with it can be activated 5 times each.

If you bought your PC with XP pre-installed it probably was already activated or the OEM kit doesn't require activation. I have the OEM kit but I haven't used it yet to know for sure how that works.

In the old days, if you had the installation CD and the CD key you could install the OS on as many PC's as you wanted. That ended when XP came out. Most every Microsoft product now requires activation so that it can only be used on One PC (or on the number of licenses authorized by the key).

Edwin

 

I remember reading about a small file XP uses to for activation. To tell if the configuration of the computer is the same when you register it or something like that. You can replicate that file on both computers and it'll produce a valid activation key from MS.

'Course, I haven't tried it since I got XP on both new laptops I got, so I didn't have a need to hack it. Oh well.

 

If you are running Windoes XP Professional edition, you don't have to worry about the activation.

 

I just bought a new computer with XP Home on it and there was nothing said abought activating it. I hope it doesent just up and quit someday. My last computer I had was given to me buy a freind who had just got a new computer and it had XP Home on it as well. I never had to do anything with it either.

 

The file which tells the PC it's activated is actually an encrypted list of signatures for major components of the system such as processor, hard disk, MB etc... It gets checked every time XP boots up. If you make a major change, like a bigger hard disk it will cause the system to need activation again. I just re-activate and once I had to make the 800 call and all was fine. The file includes things like internal SN's for hard disks and the MAC code for your network card and modem so even if you tried to use the file on a computer with exactly the same hardware configuration it would still detect it and require activation.

XP professional DOES need to be activated.

Edwin

 

That is ridiculous....!!!

What does Microsoft ask?? I have to load XP (Again)....on my new machine. Shouldnt matter how many times you reload, does it??? Thanks for the info. Man, its getting hard to keep up with computers and OS stuff when you dont do it for a living....I just dont have the time....

 

Not quite. Read this (http://www.microsoft.com/technet/pro...e/xpactiv.mspx) if you want to know what's in the file and how it works. Big Brother Bill can't decode the activation file and tell who/what/where about your computer.

Now, if you're of the conspriacy theory viewpoint, you probably don't believe anything MS has to say and believe they're tracking your every move. If that's the case, you should probably make the move to Linux.

So, basically, if your second computer is basically the same as your first, there is a hack to bypass activation. I'm not going to tell you how to do it, you can research it yourself if you want to and make the choice to use this method if it suits you.

 

The one and only time I ever had to talk to them was when my hard disk died in my PC. I just told them my hard disk died and he activated my XP again. No problem. One other time, I had to re-install everything because I got a virus. I re-formatted my HD and reinstalled XP and everything else. I had to call the 800 number but it was just a conversation with their computer. Most of my reinstalls in my business just re-activate without any hassle at all over the internet.

If you don't change hard disks you will probably never have to worry about it. You can add memory or change video cards or add a modem with no problem at all. Only if you do something major do you have to call them and they always have re-activated it. It's like the locks on your doors, it keeps honest people honest. It's only meant to cut down of counterfeiting.

After the end of February, if you have to reinstall XP you will have to call them to re-activate. They are getting to many cases where OEM's are installing the same key on many PC's that they sell. This is why you should always make sure you get a certificate of authenticity from the dealer, especially if it's one of these hole-in-the-wall outfits. (Like me) As long as you have the cert you're golden.

I'm afraid this thread had caused many people to worry unnecessarily.

Edwin

 

Well, I can't say for sure but it seems to me that if the serial number of your hard disk and the MAC address of your network card are different, even if they are the same make and model as the other PC then the hash values will be different. Therefore it will require activation. The activation will fail and require you to contact Microsoft on their 800 number and explain why you're changing your network card, cpu chip and hard disk all at the same time.

Also, I tried backing up the file that stores the activation status and the hardware hashes before I re-installed XP on one of my PC's. I have a book written by a Microsoft MVP who said it would work to save time. It didn't work and I had to call them anyway. If I hadn't copied the file it would have just reactivated normally without any hassle.

I'm sure that the hackers have figured a way around it but I haven't considered it worth my time or risk to do it. Rest assured though that Microsoft has covered all the low-hanging-fruit ways around activation. The system works pretty well and like I said, it keeps honest people honest.

Edwin

 

Thanks for the info Edwin...