XP Pro licencing a 2nd machine - how?

[Gibbo]

I am installing XP pro on my 2nd machine using the XPPro install disc from my 1st (retail licence) machine....how can I get a 2nd licence for it?

[malfunction]

Not sure if you'll still be able to. At one point in time for XP home you could fail the activation and be prompted to buy a license on-line but it was very much at retail prices... Do you have something that won't work on Windows 7 or is the machine too old to sensibly go down that route?

[Rob_B]

I might have a spare Pro license but it'd be OEM & not sure of the legality of transferring that?

[kalniel]

I might have a spare Pro license but it'd be OEM & not sure of the legality of transferring that?

You can transfer it along with the essential component it is going to be (and has to be from a license point) used with. From a technical point of view if it has been used then it will be tied to the motherboard that it was used with.

OP will probably have to buy another retail license from a shop if they still sell them, or second hand.

[Gibbo]

Do you have something that won't work on Windows 7 or is the machine too old to sensibly go down that route?

possibly
but I just can't afford a Windows7 Pro full retail licence at the moment and suspected that a XP licence would be cheaper (after all it is out of date now)....

[Stephen C]

Can't you just install it on a second machine or am I missing something?
You get 10 installs?
I've used one key to install XP on about 6 machines.

[Gibbo]

Can't you just install it on a second machine or am I missing something?
You get 10 installs?
I've used one key to install XP on about 6 machines.

I have already installed it on something like 5 generations of my 1st computer....this would be the first install to run at the same time as the original instal - I was wondering how that might effect activiation and updates?

Theoretically I'd need a separate licence....but what if those licences are now unavailable? I believe there are no new licences available.

[Stephen C]

It doesn't affect a thing, I've even surpassed 10 installs on one license on machines all running at the same time, I was just prompted to call MS when I hit 10 and they re-activated the key for another 10 installs.

Just use the same key, it'll work fine with all updates without a doubt.

[malfunction]

They must be a lot more lax on XP then - when I swapped mobos (both with similar chipsets) around on my main W7 machine I had to revalidate via the phone (which wasn't a problem but it didn't happen on-line)... Oh and while re-using the key might be possible I can't see how it's legal...

[Gibbo]

while re-using the key might be possible I can't see how it's legal...

i agree but what if new licences are no longer available?

[Stephen C]

I was under the impression, from the telephone call I made to MS about reactivation of the key when I hit 10 installs that it was'nt a problem, BUT..
Just reading the user agreement on XP it does state one install per machine.
So, while it works and I've never had a problem in as many years as XP has been out, I'm guessing it's not exactly the best idea.

Sorry!

[malfunction]

i agree but what if new licences are no longer available?

It doesn't make it legal but it does put you in the old rock and hard place situation. Do you actually need the features of pro (particularly W7 pro)? About the only thing I'd like from W7 Pro that isn't in Home Premium is software (OS based) RAID support instead of having to rely upon Intel's chipset RAID.

[Gibbo]

Do you actually need the features of pro ?

Of XP pro yep I do..........[ IIS Web server and Remote Desktop and File-level access control ]

I am unaware of the differences between the various versions of W7 so that might not be as critical should i go for a W7 licence....but I really don't want to use W7...I love XP.

[jim]

XP makes me want to cry at work

[Splash]

Of XP pro yep I do..........[ IIS Web server and Remote Desktop and File-level access control ]

I am unaware of the differences between the various versions of W7 so that might not be as critical should i go for a W7 licence....but I really don't want to use W7...I love XP.

If you *really* need those features then I guess you'd need to cough up - one license, one install. You sure a lesser version with something like WAMP server and VNC won't do what you need?

Just a thought, but you may be able to pick up a legitimate second hand XP Pro license from http://www.discount-licensing.com - I read about them ages ago on some techy news site. Not sure if hey deal with Joe Public or just businesses, but it can't hurt to ask.

[Gibbo]

If you *really* need those features then I guess you'd need to cough up - one license, one install.

Cough up?
They're not for sale anymore!!

I never said I wasn't prepared to cough up for an XP Pro licence....just not the £200odd asked for W7....I only paid £68 for my retail XP pro Sp1 all those years ago...I need nothing more than an extra licence.