XP Legal Question

xJus10x · Apr 11, 2006, 03:15 PM

If I go out and buy XP home then could I put it on my upcoming iMac and my brothers intel mac mini legally? If i use the same serial code for both would I get in trouble?

greatdevourer · Apr 11, 2006, 03:18 PM

Technically, you're breaching piracy laws, but I'm not sure anyone really gives a sh**

xJus10x · Apr 11, 2006, 03:19 PM

Alright I was just checking, I didn't know if I could use the same serial code on two computers =/

j26 · Apr 11, 2006, 03:19 PM

Firstly, yes it is illegal - but since there are so many cracked copies of Windows about I can't see it being a major problem.

Secondly, I'm not sure but do you not need XP Pro?

igucl · Apr 11, 2006, 03:21 PM

What about the registration of XP? Doesn't it tie your copy to the hardware it's installed on?

SilentPanda · Apr 11, 2006, 03:22 PM

It is indeed not legal to do. In order to use Windows past 30 days you will have to authorize your machine. This will send your CD-Key and some hardware configuration information to Microsoft. If you end up moving the license around you'll be unable to use XP anymore until you call up Microsoft. I had to do it once... stupid removable drive bays.

greatdevourer · Apr 11, 2006, 03:31 PM

However, there are so many ways of getting round this (iirc, one of them is just to set a value in the registry to 1 rather than 0), that it's trivial. There are even pre-reg'd/activated copies floating around on the web

xJus10x · Apr 11, 2006, 03:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by j26

Firstly, yes it is illegal - but since there are so many cracked copies of Windows about I can't see it being a major problem.

Secondly, I'm not sure but do you not need XP Pro?

I'm just going to install for games, so I dont think I really need XP Pro. And could anybody give me a guide to change the registry or whatever, I'm a windoze n00b =(

sjshaw · Apr 11, 2006, 03:50 PM

FWIW, there is a vast difference between "illegal" activity and "violating a license agreement." One is a criminal matter, the other a civil matter.

xJus10x · Apr 11, 2006, 03:53 PM

Alright so just to summon this up, I can do it, but I'll have to call Microsoft and tell them some excuse?

sjshaw · Apr 11, 2006, 03:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xJus10x

Alright so just to summon this up, I can do it, but I'll have to call Microsoft and tell them some excuse?

I'm not sure the moderators are anxious to have this type of discussion on their boards.

DougTheImpaler · Apr 11, 2006, 03:58 PM

WPA will just cause you to have to call Microsoft and go through teh rigamarole...you can lie and tell them you haven't installed it on other systems and that you're just reinstalling, but it's certainly not leagal.

greatdevourer · Apr 11, 2006, 04:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sjshaw

FWIW, there is a vast difference between "illegal" activity and "violating a license agreement." One is a criminal matter, the other a civil matter.

True, but this is illegal

xJus10x · Apr 11, 2006, 04:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DougTheImpaler

WPA will just cause you to have to call Microsoft and go through teh rigamarole...you can lie and tell them you haven't installed it on other systems and that you're just reinstalling, but it's certainly not leagal.

I would never do that hehe

(good idea...)

bousozoku · Apr 11, 2006, 04:44 PM

Please don't discuss ways to pirate software.

The question about whether it's illegal to install Windows XP on two machines has been answered.

Apr 11, 2006, 03:15 PM	#1
xJus10x macrumors regular Join Date: May 2004	XP Legal Question If I go out and buy XP home then could I put it on my upcoming iMac and my brothers intel mac mini legally? If i use the same serial code for both would I get in trouble? __________________ 12" 867MHz G4 Powerbook, 640MB RAM, 10.4.6 20" iMac Core Duo, 1GB RAM, X1600 256MB
	0

Apr 11, 2006, 03:19 PM	#3
xJus10x Thread Starter macrumors regular Join Date: May 2004	Alright I was just checking, I didn't know if I could use the same serial code on two computers =/ __________________ 12" 867MHz G4 Powerbook, 640MB RAM, 10.4.6 20" iMac Core Duo, 1GB RAM, X1600 256MB
	0

Apr 11, 2006, 03:19 PM	#4
j26 macrumors 65816 Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Paddyland	Firstly, yes it is illegal - but since there are so many cracked copies of Windows about I can't see it being a major problem. Secondly, I'm not sure but do you not need XP Pro? __________________ Quidquid latine dictum sit, altum sonatur.
	0

Apr 11, 2006, 03:22 PM	#6
SilentPanda Demi-God (Moderator emeritus) Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: The Bamboo Forest	It is indeed not legal to do. In order to use Windows past 30 days you will have to authorize your machine. This will send your CD-Key and some hardware configuration information to Microsoft. If you end up moving the license around you'll be unable to use XP anymore until you call up Microsoft. I had to do it once... stupid removable drive bays. __________________ My 24 hour web cam!
	0

Apr 11, 2006, 03:53 PM	#10
xJus10x Thread Starter macrumors regular Join Date: May 2004	Alright so just to summon this up, I can do it, but I'll have to call Microsoft and tell them some excuse? __________________ 12" 867MHz G4 Powerbook, 640MB RAM, 10.4.6 20" iMac Core Duo, 1GB RAM, X1600 256MB
	0

Apr 11, 2006, 03:18 PM	#2
greatdevourer macrumors 68000 Join Date: Aug 2005	Technically, you're breaching piracy laws, but I'm not sure anyone really gives a sh**
	0

Apr 11, 2006, 03:21 PM	#5
igucl macrumors 6502a Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: WI	What about the registration of XP? Doesn't it tie your copy to the hardware it's installed on?
	0

Apr 11, 2006, 03:31 PM	#7
greatdevourer macrumors 68000 Join Date: Aug 2005	However, there are so many ways of getting round this (iirc, one of them is just to set a value in the registry to 1 rather than 0), that it's trivial. There are even pre-reg'd/activated copies floating around on the web
	0

Apr 11, 2006, 03:50 PM	#9
sjshaw macrumors regular Join Date: Feb 2004	FWIW, there is a vast difference between "illegal" activity and "violating a license agreement." One is a criminal matter, the other a civil matter.
	0

Apr 11, 2006, 03:58 PM	#12
DougTheImpaler macrumors 6502 Join Date: Feb 2006	WPA will just cause you to have to call Microsoft and go through teh rigamarole...you can lie and tell them you haven't installed it on other systems and that you're just reinstalling, but it's certainly not leagal. __________________ SEGA forever
	0

Apr 11, 2006, 04:44 PM	#15
bousozoku Retired (Moderator emeritus) Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Gone but not forgotten.	Please don't discuss ways to pirate software. The question about whether it's illegal to install Windows XP on two machines has been answered.
	0


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