Hi,
im installing windows xp on a computer i built a few months back, im thinking about building another computer in the near future. I was wondering if i can install windows xp again on that computer using the same disc and reg that i used with this one.

Thanks,
VK

No. That is illegal. Each computer must have it's own license so you will need to buy a new license with your new computer. At least you can get a little discount if you buy the license with your hardware purchase.

Hi, Thanks for the reply,
one more quick question, if anythink goes wrong with my computer which needs me to reinstall windows xp can i reinstall it?
Thanks,
VK.

First and foremost, I am assuming you purchased a legal Windows license for your first computer and that you have in your possession the official Windows installation disk that came with that license.

If that first computer breaks and you need to reinstall Windows, then you can, even if that means you have to replace the motherboard - though that is a gray area. However, if you have to reinstall, you will need to know the correct CD Key Code and you will have to re-authenticate Windows. 9/10 times, this simply involves a quick data exchange between your Windows and Microsoft. If there have been several hardware changes, you may have to talk to Microsoft and explain it is a repair, and not an upgrade.

Because the motherboard is really several and separate (as far as the OS is concerned) pieces of hardware (controllers, I/Os, LAN, sound, chipset, etc.) swapping motherboards is big, and so when you swap motherboards, Windows believes it is on another computer, possibly illegally. If your motherboard actually fails prematurely and you replace it with a like board, you should have no problems with Microsoft. However, if your motherboard fails, and you decide since you have to buy a new one, you might as well upgrade to current technology and get a board that only supports a newer technology CPU and RAM, then Microsoft may say, "no way!"

The key thing is every computer running Windows must have its own Windows license. And that's only fair, especially since there are free, capable, and legal alternatives.

Thanks, im all legal, purchased it new the other day . so im ok to upgrade ram and video cards just not anythink major like the motherboard. Am i allowed to add a new hard drive (slave) or does it have to be external? and if i got a big virus like the one that hit my laptop ( My thanks to this forum who help me save it, i couldnt of done it without you guys ) would i be able to reinstall if i rang up microsoft and told them the situation?
Thanks,
VK

You can always reinstall Windows on the same machine.

Yes, you can add drives, video cards, RAM, etc. with no problems, legally. After so many HW changes, however, Windows may require you to connect to Microsoft to re-authenticate, but that is normally no big deal.

On a similar note...

I'm going to upgrade my older system, is there any way to get the OEM/ Factory original XP Recovery cd to install a fresh Windows operating system? I actually paid for it(twice now..lol) and have original key.
I'm afraid it may be "Bios or MB Locked" if so, any possible workaround?


Thank you,
George