Re: Product Activation and Partition copies

kurttrail wrote: 
John wrote:

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.



No. I sounds like he takes the same already activated image and restores that image to the other partitions.

PLUS, even assuming you to be totally right, and the OP is installing the OS three times, the 120 day activation server reset doesn't come into play since it each install is on the same hardware.

No if the OP was installing 3 times on 3 different computers, THEN the 120 day rule is ineffect, but all that does is disallow internet activation. Through Phone Activation all three installs can be activated, if you know what you are doing.

Lie - that may work. But if you get the same rep that you talked to once or twice before that day it may not.

If you put a new install on it *must* be activated within 30 days or it stops working. It dosen't matter if you have 20 XP's already running on that same comp. If you don't know that then you are blowing hot air -or- have never actually installed XP.

John
.

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