Microsoft Office 2010: Installation on more than one hard drive

[donaldfleming]

I recently purchased Microsoft Office 2010 Home and Business, 1 User (PC DVD).

Under the terms of the license this software can only be downloaded on any one computer at any one time; although, it can be uninstalled and be downloaded on a different computer.

Consider the following scenario: my hard drive completely fails and cannot be repaired. Consequently it is not possible to uninstall the software.

What would be the implications?

If I purchased a new hard drive or a new computer, would it be possible to use the disc and activation key to download the software to either of these?

If it was possible, would it, according to Microsoft, be legal, given that the software is still installed on the original hard drive, now defunct.

In this type of situation is there anything that could be done to avoid having to buy new software?

[glc]

One usable computer at a time. If a reinstall will not activate, calling Microsoft and explaining the situation will get it taken care of.

[rwest]

I actually just did that with a reload. I reloaded my OS and needed to reinstall office. I thought I was going to have to call MS for activation, but it activated with no problems. Not real sure how it (or they) knew, but Office activated just like it did with my original install.

[glc]

If it's anything like WinXP, it's on a timer. After 120 days the activation is reset. I've re-activated my XP Pro about 4 times now with no problem after upgrades.