What happens when you activate two comps with the same CD Key?

Bires · 03-01-2002, 10:45 AM

I was wondering…what happens when you activate a version of WinXP, then try to activate the same piece of software with the same CD key on another computer (like on a home network)?

NuTs62 · 03-01-2002, 01:17 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Bires
I was wondering…what happens when you activate a version of WinXP, then try to activate the same piece of software with the same CD key on another computer (like on a home network)?

Correct me if I'm wrong guys.. but this is what I understand from reading about the XP protection thing before. (I haven't tried, so not too sure).. Once you install XP into your system, you enter in the CD-key. Then XP examines your system specs, and tosses a code out to you. You then call Microsoft to obtain a code for that specific machine. Since the key XP generates is computer/cd-key specific, then that supposedly cuts down on piracy.. But I could be wrong.. =P maybe someones actually tried it =P

qmanchu · 03-01-2002, 04:39 PM

I believe NuTs62 is right. The key is supposed to be unique to each machine. The only way you would be able to use an activation key on another computer would be if the computer was essentially the same. This is usually the case in a corporate environment but then again, I believe they get a special activation key or CD that works on all of their computers.

So in short, I would highly doubt that you would be able to use the activation key on the second machine.

xsiled2 · 03-01-2002, 06:32 PM

Memo · 03-01-2002, 06:41 PM

You cannot activate a machine with a code that has already been used. You can enter the code while installing and it will accept it and at the end of the install you can choose not to activate at that moment. Then you have 30 Days to use the OS. When you try to activate it online it will say that the code is invalid and ask you to enter another code. That's all. The OS doesn't crap up or anything. Just asks you to enter another one. If you wait past the 30 days...I have no idea.

NuTs62 · 03-01-2002, 10:27 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by chosenfool

/me looks at XP system on right, then looks at win2k system on left....then looks at XP corp edition Pro version CD.

My copy.. erm,.. version.. when installing.. said it was missin like a dozen or so files.. somethin to do with wmaaudio and lots of usr stuff.. =P did that happen when ya used ur corp ed.?

~~Cantacuzene~~ · 03-01-2002, 10:43 PM

I like how none of us actually know, because I guess we all work for "corporations."

My copy of corporate works fine. Maybe your IS.. er.. cd was messed up in the unra... i mean... shipping.

NuTs62 · 03-02-2002, 04:10 AM

but of course. we wouldn't want to cheat Microsoft out of money. They're already poor enough as is.

bachviet · 03-02-2002, 12:46 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by NuTs62
but of course. we wouldn't want to cheat Microsoft out of money. They're already poor enough as is.

Of course not!

The corporation should work fine though!

Ladogaboy · 03-02-2002, 07:05 PM

/me puts WinXP back on shelf and grabs Win2K.

03-01-2002, 10:45 AM	#1
Bires Admiral Join Date: May 2000 Posts: 5,064	What happens when you activate two comps with the same CD Key? I was wondering…what happens when you activate a version of WinXP, then try to activate the same piece of software with the same CD key on another computer (like on a home network)? __________________ Five years...

03-02-2002, 07:05 PM	#10
Ladogaboy Admiral Join Date: Jan 2000 Location: Hiding amongst the minnows Posts: 6,843	/me puts WinXP back on shelf and grabs Win2K. __________________ It is not enough to merely touch the face of god; you also must open your eyes so that you may see your palm.

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03-01-2002, 04:39 PM	#3
qmanchu Lieutenant Junior Grade Join Date: May 2001 Posts: 165	I believe NuTs62 is right. The key is supposed to be unique to each machine. The only way you would be able to use an activation key on another computer would be if the computer was essentially the same. This is usually the case in a corporate environment but then again, I believe they get a special activation key or CD that works on all of their computers. So in short, I would highly doubt that you would be able to use the activation key on the second machine.

03-01-2002, 06:32 PM	#4
xsiled2 Vice Admiral Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: bye Posts: 4,090

03-01-2002, 06:41 PM	#5
Memo Admiral Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: East Village Posts: 5,659	You cannot activate a machine with a code that has already been used. You can enter the code while installing and it will accept it and at the end of the install you can choose not to activate at that moment. Then you have 30 Days to use the OS. When you try to activate it online it will say that the code is invalid and ask you to enter another code. That's all. The OS doesn't crap up or anything. Just asks you to enter another one. If you wait past the 30 days...I have no idea.

03-01-2002, 10:43 PM	#7
~~Cantacuzene~~ Banned Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Atlanta, Georgia, USA Posts: 8,700	I like how none of us actually know, because I guess we all work for "corporations." My copy of corporate works fine. Maybe your IS.. er.. cd was messed up in the unra... i mean... shipping.

03-02-2002, 04:10 AM	#8
NuTs62 Vice Admiral Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: San Francisco Posts: 4,763	but of course. we wouldn't want to cheat Microsoft out of money. They're already poor enough as is.

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