Using the same Windows XP license on different computers?

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To branch off my laptop thread, I am wondering if it will work to use the same Win XP license on two computers - my stationary computer which will remain in Sweden, and my laptop which I will bring with me to Australia. The question is not so much about legal or moral dilemmas, but more in the sense of "will both computers get their updates and so on?".

I will be using Kitrax's guides to fix my computer, and also follow what has been said in my old threads (http://sorcerers.net/forums/showthread.php?t=42475 , http://sorcerers.net/forums/showthread.php?t=41995), and maybe take a look at a few items in Gizmo Richards list, but aside from that, do you guys have any other tips for getting started with a new computer?

Thanks in advance, regards
Bahir

 

Short Answer: No
Long Answer: Maybe

If your copy of XP is an OEM, then no...it will only work on the computer it shipped with. If you bought the retail version, you might be able to install it on another computer...but knowing M$, you will have to buy the full retail version for a second computer.

 

Like Kitrax said, it depends on the type of license you have. Unless it is an OEM license, you should at least be able to uninstall it from the current computer and then install it on the laptop. Basically you do not have to uninstall I suppose, if you do not use it anymore, so that you can switch back painlessly. You might need to phone Microsoft for activation though, if you have used all of them. I have not read the license, but the above to me at least is common sense which should apply here without any problems as well.

But, does not your laptop come with XP/Vista preinstalled? If so, why not use it?

 

Yes, only OEM for a new computer according to Microsoft agreements (EULA - End User License Agreement). A new computer is defined by a new motherboard. You may safely replace your motherboard if it's defective, but only then. Othewise you may not.

However, if you have a retail version of Windows, you can use it on one computer at a time, but you can safely change the computer from one to another. There used to be something with laptops as in supposedly having one copy of Windows on a desktop and a laptop legally, but I don't know the basis of that theory.

 

Yeah, it comes with Vista, but so far, I have heard nothing good about it (but I would like to, if anyone knows), and it seems to be quite resource-demanding (which doesn't seem optimal if you want get good battery time, or playing online games etc. But I might check out Vista for a couple of days before deciding if I need to install XP on it or not.

 

I think vista is actually meant to be better in regards to battery time (it has better power monitoring features or something). If you've got the RAM to support it I wouldn't really say it's that bad, just in most people's eye's it isn't worth the cost to upgrade to, especially when there's likely to be hardware incompatibilities (which you won't need to worry about).

Having said that, isn't there a way that you can downgrade your vista licence to XP for a while and then go back to Vista when you choose?

 

I'd recommend you PM DotW about that. IIRC, he dealt with that issue at his last job...or something like that.