Re: Product Activation and Partition copies

kurttrail wrote:

John wrote:

Chris Bennett wrote:


I have just bought a copy of XP Pro SP2.

Currently I use Win98SE and have three "C" partitions on my machine.
All have Windows 98 on them.

The first partition is my production version of Win98SE.

When I want to test new software (or an upgrade), I copy my
production Windows into the second partition. Then I reboot to that
partition and run my test. The other "C" partitions are hidden so my
"D" and "E" hard drives never get remapped.

My question is:

Will this work OK with Windows XP Professional SP2 without triggering
product activation? (I will load XP into partition 1 and activate
before I do any partition copying)

Can I have 3 copies of Windows XP - one in each partition. I usually
boot into partition 3 to run Partition Magic Pro 7 since it does not
have to boot into DOS mode to copy partition 1 to partition 2?

Chris



It appears that you are used to ignoring MS's EULA, please correct me
if I am wrong. But I won't say that is right or wrong until its
brought before a judge and a ruling ensues.

You can install XP to different partitions on the same computer
however clones may or may not work depending on your (or your boot
manager's) expertise. Product activation will be a problem if you
intend to activate multiple copies using the same XP key. MS has
coded XP to prevent you from doing what I suspect you want to do.
They want you to purchase each and every instance of their OS.
Doesn't mean you can't do it but it won't be easy and you are
probably in the wrong forum to ask for help.

John


Actually PA should be no problem at all since XP is being installed on the same hardware.

True it *shouldn't* be, but your'e milage may vary. The op's clone idea needs a boot loader to make the clone think its still in the same partition for smooth sailing. New installs need activated and it sounds like the op is the type to set everything up at the same time and not wait 120 days between installs. That was the problem set I was trying to point out.

And installing the same copy of XP on the same computer is allowable by MS, as MS even has KB articles that describe how to get it to work.


The EULA explicitly says one copy on one computer. Of course there is a whole bunch of untried law in that document so does anyone not in MS's employ need to abide by it?

If you don't agree return the software to the retailer! Yea right, return opened software that may or may not have been copied berforehand. Or buy a new comp with XP preloaded, Im sure the first thing the new owner does with his/her shiny new comp is read the EULA.

Its just another scam, you bought it do what you will with it, just be aware that it isn't ME/9X easy street.

John
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