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New License Terms from MICRO$OFT

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by roadrunnerchaser 1 view

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I currently have a license for W2kServer w/8seats. The clients are sight licensed copies of w95 upgraded to sight licensed w98se. I just built two new pcs in my office (w/out an OS-gonna use my 95/98upgrade). However, I purchased 1media kit and 2licenses for WxpPro/upgrade. Will I be able to LEGALLY upgrade my 95/98se systems (the 2 new ones) with this XPpro OS?

8 replies

by russ werner

Simply put, with any licensed software, it is to be used on one and only one computer. If you have the license for 2 Win XP computers you are legally allowed to upgrade 2 computers to Win XP.
Win XP will be activated by the registration procedure, and I doubt seriously if you would get away with trying the third???

by roadrunnerchaser

Thanks Russ,

I am only trying to load XP on the two new systems, there will be no third. My concern is with the new licensing proceedurs from MS is a little wordy, and I was wondering if someone could decifer how it will affect my situation. There are some issues about not being able to purchases computers without a licensed copy of XP already installed. And I just purchased 2 PCs without OSs on them. I am trying to avoid returing to my vendor and buying full blown OS when I only need the Upgrade for my sight licensed Win98 os software.

by kcmeister

Legally, you would have to purchase 2 more win98 licenses and then use the XP upgrade on 2 of the machines. For the xp ugrade, you are still required to have a fully licensed product that you are upgrading. Not like buying a full version.
In some special circumstances you can use an XP license, and still run older operating systems, providing you purchased them legally. Doesn't work with upgrades, full version only.
hope this clarifies things.
kcmeister

by roadrunnerchaser

Thanks KC,

I am aware of the requirements of how xp upgrade loads, However, one cannot just purchase a licensed copy of Win98 anymore. MS is only distributing XP. There is a kickdown option if you purchase a full version of XPpro that will allow you to legally use win98 instead of xp on the same license, but this I already know. I am trying to clairify under the new license terms from MS if I can leagaly install an OS on a new PC that was purchased without an OS on it.

by mphoffar

I fairly certain the phrase you're referring to deals specifically with OEM machines, so you can't buy, say a Compaq, clean off the OS or order it with a clean HD and use the OEM CD or liscence to use on another computer irreguardless of the make and reguardless if it's a full version or upgrade.

However, if you purchased the liscences separately as separate items and not dependent on the machines, there shouldn't be any liscencing issues.

Mark

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