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XP licensing question

Forum Homebuilt Systems : General Homebuilt - XP licensing question

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GinoS   12-19-2007 at 07:48:26 PM

I've searched the Board and couldn't find an answer to this question. I need to provide some info first.

I have Windows XP SP2 on my home built machine now. It's the full version, not OEM. When I upgraded my mobo and CPU last January I had to contact the Microsoft 800 number to get a new key to use the OS.

I eventually plan to get a full version of Vista someday. Maybe after they work the bugs out. About that time I'll be needing to build a computer for my son. Something he can use to play games and do his homework with.

The question is, if I no longer am using the XP SP2 because I've switched over to Vista, can I use the XP SP2 for my kid's machine? I'll be putting that computer together with old parts. I don't want to have to buy a new OS if I don't need to.

Thanks

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rgeist554   12-19-2007 at 08:03:20 PM
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Yeah, all you need is a new activation key when you change hardware. It will only work on one PC at a time though. (If you try to run it on two, the machine it was first installed on will be immediately disabled upon trying to run MS updates.) But, yeah, as long as you buy a full copy of Vista and not an upgrade to your XP, you should be golden. :)

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GinoS   12-19-2007 at 09:08:26 PM
- 0 +

Thanks for the info. Happy holidays to you and yours.

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rgeist554   12-19-2007 at 09:20:53 PM
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Not a problem. Happy Holidays to you and yours as well. :)

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ohiou_grad_06   12-20-2007 at 02:03:53 AM
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Actually, I think I've read that if you even buy a legit upgrade version of Vista, if he just installs it as an evaluation copy(not using an installation key), then he can simply boot up into windows, install vista again, but then just use his key the 2nd time around.

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