Installing XP Home on a new computer

[Meiapaul]

I have a retail version of XP Home legally installed and activated on this here machine, but I am nearly finished building a second system which I will also want to install it on. Will I be able to use the same CD and Serial number, or will I have to buy a new serial number in order to activate it? Am I even able to buy a new serial number, or did I just imagine hearing that somewhere?

[directhex]

this is definitely full retail boxed XP? in that case, you can install it on the new system, as long as you remove it from the old one. you get a 30-day crossover period for the activation.

if it's an upgrade edition or OEM edition, your license does not allow you to install on a new computer, a new windows license is required

[CrimsonAvenger]

As long as the old OS is removed from the old PC when the new one is up and running this should be ok.

Only OEM copies are non-transferrable.

[Meiapaul]

I would be wanting to keep both systems running this OS...Surely since I have bought it once there is some way which I can run it on both systems? It is definately a full retail version. Edit: I don't mind paying money, as long as it is less than the cost of a new OEM copy of xp :|

[nichomach]

One license, one machine. You would need to buy another license; if you have any components left to buy for the new box, see if you can get an OEM license along with them - hard disk, motherboard etc.

[Meiapaul]

Hmmm, I checked my box, then the windows site, and it seems I have a US retail version, and thus can buy a new lisence online from microsoft, thus solving my problem, it would appear

Edit: $184

[DavidM]

Additional qualifying hardware would let you buy the OEM version as nichomach says...

[ikonia]

I still can't believe people don't read the licenses before buying, and I can't believe people think "I've paid for it once I'll use it on two machines at the same time"

[Meiapaul]

I can't believe people think "I've paid for it once I'll use it on two machines at the same time"

I don't see that as an unreasonable thought TBH, it wouldn't happen anywhere other than with windows, but it'll have to be a new OEM version.

[ikonia]

I think you'll find it happens with a lot of products.

Adobe photoshop is for one machine unless a business license is pruchased, Norton products are "per machine", all MS products are per machine, most Sony software is per machine, nero is per machine. Its pretty much all supposed to be "per machine" but not all software checks it.

[directhex]

if you're not happy with a license's terms, then don't use that product

for reference, macosx and most payware linux distributions have a "one license per house" policy

[tommylittleboy@]

The only version of XP which can be installed on multiple machines with 1 key and no activation is XP Pro Corporate Edition, however the price of that must be horrendous!

[directhex]

nah, it's very cheap per-building if you have several thousand machines

[suryad]

not to throw this thread off-topic but may i recommend nLite? gets rid of all the uhhh...fat that XP comes with.