NO - to your questions. "how does it know ifs it in use or not?" If you install it on your machine and then try to activate it, the activation will fail.
It is illegal to do what you want, Windows Software is tied to the PC it was sold with for Life.
"why cant i use any windows key like 98 and ME when you could put it on as many systems as i want?"
Because it is Illegal. You could do this in the early days of windows 98, ME, it was still illegal to do it, that is why Microsoft protects XP and Vista from pirating, its called WGA.
I dont know, he is not using the system anymore. So if my hard drive fails when i replace it why cant i use any windows key like 98 and ME when you could put it on as many systems as i want?
If the copy of Windows was a full retail version then you can install ONE copy of XP on any ONE machine. You must use the key with the disc that it shipped with. Because it is a retail version you can install it on any machine that you like so long as it isn't also installed elsewhere.
If the copy is an OEM version then the key can only be used with the machine that it was sold with. No if's, no but's.
These are standard legal terms of use and they haven't changed in 30 years. Before it was more or less on an honor system as it was very dififcult for them to track software, but now there is active enforcement.
Rebel9
2.9K Posts
0
September 19th, 2008 02:00
mombodog
2 Intern
•
12.7K Posts
0
September 19th, 2008 02:00
It is illegal to do what you want, Windows Software is tied to the PC it was sold with for Life.
"why cant i use any windows key like 98 and ME when you could put it on as many systems as i want?"
Because it is Illegal. You could do this in the early days of windows 98, ME, it was still illegal to do it, that is why Microsoft protects XP and Vista from pirating, its called WGA.
http://www.microsoft.com/genuine/
jaymacs2
27 Posts
0
September 19th, 2008 02:00
I dont know, he is not using the system anymore. So if my hard drive fails when i replace it why cant i use any windows key like 98 and ME when you could put it on as many systems as i want?
K-infotech
2 Intern
•
137 Posts
0
September 19th, 2008 08:00
If the copy is an OEM version then the key can only be used with the machine that it was sold with. No if's, no but's.
These are standard legal terms of use and they haven't changed in 30 years. Before it was more or less on an honor system as it was very dififcult for them to track software, but now there is active enforcement.