One XP instal disk, two computers

[longrawker]

Hey.

As i am building a computer, i thought i could save a little money on buying an OS. Our family computer uses XP home, and we still have the installer disk.

Would it work to use it again to instal XP home on the computer i'm building? I would think so, but maybe XP has to be registered online or something...

Anyway, thanks.

[hobey19]

it is illegal to have the same install on two separate computers. if you were to take it off of the family computer, then you could install it on your new one (assuming it is not a recovery disk - those are for that computer only)

craig

[longrawker]

Originally posted by hobey19 it is illegal to have the same install on two separate computers. if you were to take it off of the family computer, then you could install it on your new one (assuming it is not a recovery disk - those are for that computer only) craig

Illegal doesnt bother me at all... Is it possible? How easy would it be to get caught?

[LocoCoyote]

It should bother you. It is a simple case of theft. Why don't you get yourself a copy of one of the various linux distros? There is no need to be illegal!

[longrawker]

Originally posted by LocoCoyote It should bother you. It is a simple case of theft. Why don't you get yourself a copy of one of the various linux distros? There is no need to be illegal!

Ok, well, XP is pretty expensive, and it's gonna take me a lifetime to work up the grand and a half for the computer only.

Secondly, i have no idea aobut linux, what it is, what it looks like, what's compatable with it. All i know is that it's a free, open source OS. And would all of the software i have now be compatable with it? How about the hardware that says it's compatable with XP?

That's why i havent really considered linux, because i have no clue about it. And i've heard that it's a bad OS to go with. Also, i'm no programmer, i wouldnt be able to do anything with the source code... The only code background i have is HTML, CSS, PHP, web design stuff.

Anyway, any info you have on it, or any sites you can link me to... or screenshots maybe?

Anyway, thanks. I'm just looking to save some money.

[RJ]

Illegal doesnt bother me at all... Is it possible? How easy would it be to get caught?

No it's not possible with Windows XP. Microsoft added the Product Activation Process to Windows XP and you need to activate Windows after installation by calling M$ or via the Internet.
This was done to prevent the use of the same copy of Windows XP on more than 1 computer.

I'd just get the OEM WinXP Home. I think it costs around a hundred bucks, so it's not too expensive.
If you live in the US you can look here: http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProduc...price&sort=asc

RJ

[LocoCoyote]

Product activation is fairly trivial to bypass....but that isn't the point.

www.linixquestions.org

www.linuxiso.org

and the pcmech alternative operation systems forum are good places to start.

Much of your windows software will either not work or be difficult to get working. MS Office and some other main stream apps are the exception.
You don't have to "know linux" any more than you have to know windows. Todays main stream distros are very much windows like.
The best part of it is that after you have grown out of the hand holding and GUI, all the normal power of Linux (Unix) is underneth waiting for you.

Let windows make that claim!

[longrawker]

Originally posted by LocoCoyote Product activation is fairly trivial to bypass....but that isn't the point. www.linixquestions.org www.linuxiso.org and the pcmech alternative operation systems forum are good places to start. Much of your windows software will either not work or be difficult to get working. MS Office and some other main stream apps are the exception. You don't have to "know linux" any more than you have to know windows. Todays main stream distros are very much windows like. The best part of it is that after you have grown out of the hand holding and GUI, all the normal power of Linux (Unix) is underneth waiting for you. Let windows make that claim!

Alright, so my problem would be having to buy most of the software i have, again. Or it wouldnt work at all. That's the problem i'd have with linux. I use Photoshop, Dreamweaver, tons of smaller downloadable programs, not to mention games, patches, and so on, on a daily basis. Photoshop, Dreamweaver, and like The Gimp are programs that i need to be able to use on the computer. If this wouldnt be possible with linux, then linux isnt an option.

[bailey]

I belive that your talking about illegle software, and that is not discussed here.

[Statica]

Read the FAQ. We do not support the discussion of illegal software. The answer to your question was already given, but let me refresh for your benefit.

Windows features Windows Product Activation, an online activation schema to prevent piracy.
It is illegal to pirate software ie. going against the EULA.

Closing this thread.