Just wondering, I have a laptop with xp pro. I am getting a new desktop and am wondering If I need to shell out for XP again or if I use the same CD I got for the laptop, will I still be able to connect the 2 PCs together for the odd game of civ and data transfer? Or will windows recognise the same serial number or something and stop from using it?
Networking 2 PCs with the same version of XP?
- Thread starter Simo
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According to Microsoft you must buy another copy of Windows XP for the new machine. (Did you build it yourself? Otherwise, it probably comes with it.) I don't know if the "registration" procedure for XP actually verifies the serial numbers in MS's database or not.
Registration doesn't, but the activation (it's different than registration) sure does. It compares hardware components that were activated with your product key. If it notes a lot of differences, you'll have problems.
I've reloaded my system so often (always tinkering with BSD, Linux, etc), that they will no longer allow me to activate over the internet. I have to call in and do it manually with a voice operator. They're getting pretty pushy with the "why did you have to reinstall" and so forth.
I've reloaded my system so often (always tinkering with BSD, Linux, etc), that they will no longer allow me to activate over the internet. I have to call in and do it manually with a voice operator. They're getting pretty pushy with the "why did you have to reinstall" and so forth.
I would have to activate it over the phone as the new PC wont be connected to the internet (I go online at work and at parents).
Lets say I activated it, would the 2 machines be able to be networked? Or is there something in windows that would block the same serial numbe rof windows similar to command and conquer I think it was when I tried to use the same disk and it said 'serial already in use' to stop people using the same disc in a networked game?
Lets say I activated it, would the 2 machines be able to be networked? Or is there something in windows that would block the same serial numbe rof windows similar to command and conquer I think it was when I tried to use the same disk and it said 'serial already in use' to stop people using the same disc in a networked game?
You can get it to activate, you'll just have to call MS and lie to them... and I don't know if the "Genuine Windows" thing you have to use before updating windows will catch you.
Why isn't your new PC coming with a copy of windows?
Why isn't your new PC coming with a copy of windows?
Simo said:
I'm pretty sure nothing in Windows networking settings references activation codes. I'm using a corporate copy of XP here at work and so have the same serial # on a bunch of workstations (legally) and have no problems with networking.
Don't let the XP firewall trip you up, by the way.
ACtually, come to think of it, your original XP license on the laptop has probably never been activated. If you buy a PC from one of the OEMs (Dell, HP, etc) and always use the provided reinstall CD (in addition to the XP CD they should give you) as part of it's installing drivers and other stuff, it preactivates windows and never even asks you to enter your license key...
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