Windows licensing question.

[Jeff]

I'm just curious about this one. I was looking into trying out Windows XP on a non-RAID volume, such as on a multi-partitioned separate drive. Now as we speak I own a copy of Windows XP Home Edition, OEM. It is installed on my RAID 0 array right now. With this, am I allowed to install another copy of Windows onto my own machine (same machine, just a different volume) without violating the EULA agrement. The one on the RAID volume will still be there, but I want to try this out. The downsides to RAID 0 are if one drive fails, you lose everything. I do have another drive with regular backups. However, I'd like to see how Windows will run under a multi-partitioned drive. I've heard that it can improve performance. Not as much as having 2 drives in RAID 0, but I'd like to try it out. I'm not going to read that 200 page agreement, because I don't have good reading skills.

I just need to know whether it'll be possible. From what I know, you can install Windows on your computer, and your computer only. Not sure about having 2 or more copies on the same system with the same hardware. I do know that I can't install it on my mom's system which runs Windows 98 SE, because that would be against the EULA.

Thanks guys.

[avatar_58]

Are you REALLY that set on following the EULA? Is this for work is that why?

[Jeff]

Work? Hah, no. I work at a grocery store slaving for the human race.

I just want to try it out and see how it works. That's all. Besides, M$ might not honor this and not activate my OS.

[KillerByte]

Jeff said:
I just want to try it out and see how it works. That's all. Besides, M$ might not honor this and not activate my OS.



If you're only trying the OS on the other setup, then I think it's safe to say that you can test its performance without even activating the second copy of Windows. You get 30 days from installation to activate Windows and you don't lose any functionality for not doing so straight away.

If I were you I would use the 30 day grace period as your testing time. If you're happy with the performance you could always remove Windows from the RAID 0 drive, and then activate this one.

[Jeff]

I'll try it out for 30 days, and if this doesn't work, then I'll keep the RAID setup.

[Wamplet]

What KB said.

An OEM license is tied to the computer you bought it with. You are not supposed to buy an OEM license by itself, even though several places sell it to you even without computer hardware.

It's supposed to be a non-transferrable license in that regard, since it is supposed to belong to the machine you bought at the time.

[Jeff]

Okay, so if I bought when I was building my Athlon 64 system, then I should be okay. The HP came with recovery discs, so they would have never have given me a CD, let alone manuals. With this system, I got the manuals, CDs, boxes, everything.