Stupid Question...

[Brian Frank 0]

I probably know the answer to this one anyway, but oh well.

 

That XP activation thing doesnt prevent you from using it on more than one pc right?

Im just asking because my dad is getting a beta copy of XP through the RC program.

 

And another thing: any problems with a Voodoo 3 3000 AGP? Which of the drivers work best.

[ThC 129 0]

yes that is the purpose of the product activation it is meant to prevent casual copying of the CD and installs.

[Brian Frank 0]

I really hope MS doesnt expect us to buy a copy of an OS for each computer we own. Lots of people have this as the biggest gripe about XP. This is the RC beta.

 

I dont have anything against product activation, but its a problem when you have purchased software and then cant use it on another computer that you use for personal use also because of the product activation key.

I really hope MS considers this, because it could be XP's achilles heel.

[jaywallen 0]

Brian,

 

Whether or not you think that they're correct in doing so, that's exactly what Microsoft expects. Microsoft, and most other commercial licensers of OSes, have always maintained one license / one computer policies. It's in the EULA. And it does have the force of law in that it is a contract violation to use the OS in any way not covered by the EULA. At the same time, Microsoft has always maintained that it was okay to install the same copy of Office on a desktop and a laptop.

 

Regards,

Jim

 

[This message has been edited by jaywallen (edited 28 March 2001).]

[Down8 0]

Thank you for that very well said "no duh!", jaywallen.

 

-bZj

[Four and Twenty 0]

Brian you can just go get a crack for it they are easy enough to find.

[jdulmage 0]

EULA allows multiple installs and multiple activations on different machines right now.

[Four and Twenty 0]

Quote:

<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by Brian Frank:
This is the RC beta.</font>

RC beta?

[Down8 0]

I think the EULA allows for multiple installs right now b/c it is a beta, and they want you to test it on as many machines as possible.

 

Here's a question: If I pay the $20 and get Beta 2, which has a 180 limit on it, could I install it on my machine, then change a peice of hardware in 179 days [thus giving it a new machine ID according to MS], and reinstall it, and still be well within the law? This of course would be on both of my computers, besides, I reinstall Windows about every 3 months or so anyway [b/c that's the only way to keep it 'clean']. I think I may just pay the $20... unless that's what the contacted me about beta testing, which would mean I get it for free.

 

-bZj

[Brian Frank 0]

Now I just saw a post that concerns me.

 

It seems that XP will have issues if you change any hardware, not just something like a mobo. Is this true? I dont want to have to reinstall for every piece of hardware I put in.

[clutch 1]

Well bud, it seems like a lot of speculation to me. I wouldn't worry about anything you have no control over, especially since nobody has any real facts about how licensing will be handled when it comes out. Count on this; the licensing scheme will probably be the biggest pain in the a$$ yet. Check this article out:

 

http://www.internetweek.com/newslead01/lead032901.htm

 

They are cracking down on licensing, so count on it getting more difficult to install their software on multiple machines without having licenses for each one.

 

Basically, the people in the best position will be admins for companies. They can get license keys and "possibly" OS CDs with systems that come in. The Dells that we get have been coming in with CDs that have all the apps and OS on them along with the Win2K key as a sticker on the side of the machine.

 

However, if you're like me you can just expense a copy for home use and be done with the whole damn thing.

 

 

------------------

Regards,

 

clutch

[Brian Frank 0]

Right on, clutch. I hope MS will not give everyone hell with XP like the people in the article. That or XP needs to be very cheap in comparison to current Windows prices.

If they're cheap, then I wont have a fit, but I'll have to wait and see.

I guess every OS has the pre-release horror stories.