If I may ask your opinion...

[xJulianx]

My mum has just purchased a new PC with Windows XP Home Edition (SP2). I know, I'm sorry, after extensive conversation, she doesn't want to switch to Mac.

Anyway, am I right in saying that a copy of Windows XP can be installed with the same serial number on more than one computer? Or is that only possible with a laptop?

I will be getting my mum's old pc, (which has Windows 98SE) which I might use for gaming, it's not particularly good, but I only really play Counterstrike which has very low system requirements. I'd like to install Windows XP on this if possible.

I've thought about putting XP on my MacBook, but I'd hate to see that disgusting operating system on such a beautiful peice of equipment.

 

[kalisphoenix]

Are you asking whether it's legal or not... or whether it's possible or not?

 

[xJulianx]

Are you asking whether it's legal or not... or whether it's possible or not?

Well, both

I did hear somewhere that you can install XP on upto two computers with no problems, due to users with a laptop that don't want to have to buy the OS twice...am I right in saying this?

 

[R.Youden]

Not having too much experience with Windows I am not 100% sure but I think you need two separate copies to activate them. If you try to activate an already activated copy it wont let you. Thats how I think it works anyway.

 

[slu]

This is illegal, even more so with OEM copies of Windows that come with a PC. You can only legally install that copy of Windows on the machine that came with the copy of XP.

You could also read the SLA that came with your new PC/Windows.

I won't comment on if it is possible. Interpret that as you will.

 

[xJulianx]

Okay, i have no real desire to illegally install XP, for the sake of gaming, I'll just keep 98SE. I just swear I read soemwhere that you were able to install it twice because of people have a laptop aswell as a desktop and not wanting to fork out another load of cash for another serial number.

Oh well, no biggy. Thanks for the help everyone.