Best way to go to Vista & keep XP?
 

Dunno much about Windows OS licences sorry - I didnt make Gates rich personally ;)


I’ve just built myself a new PC using an existing vers of XP I own. This XP was an upgrade from Win 2000. I will want to go to 64 bit OS in Aug/Sept as I will have editing software that can use it (and I wont be first out the trap!). As usual though I would like my cake and to eat it please! SO, the old small PC still works, and I’d like to maybe move it downstairs and hook it to the TV in the living room – will be handy for quick e-mail checks via Wi Fi and for music and photo playback. This means I will have 2 PC’s in the house with what is probably a one system XP Pro on them? Q:

When I register the new system in 25 days time, will this disable XP on the old PC if it is hooked to the net?

If that IS the case it kind of leaves me in limbo till I go Vista. Don’t really want to have to buy another XP to tide me over for a couple of months.

Not the end of the world, but is there a better solution than mothballing the original PC until the XP becomes unwanted on the new PC (and with its needed data on its HDD's)?

Cheers

D

Provided you own the licence for XP, you can install it on your own hardware, all that will happen will it will put you through the automated registering system @ MS.
I take it your XP is 32 bit?
It will not disable any OS that has been verified against WGA database.
When you wish to upgrade, you can do it by simply inserting your Vista disk, provided your hardware meets the criteria for 64 bit.

Hope this relieves your fears. :)

depends if its a retail or OEM copy of XP

What's a WGA database mate?

How do i tell if it is retail or OEM (so long ago when I bought it LOL).

Thanks

D

In a word no.

As said you may have to phone M$ and give them the serial so you can set it up on your other PC, but don't tell them you have the first PC with it installed.

They have no way of knowing.

Unless it came with a prebuilt one IE Dell, these can be locked to certain Motherboards etc..

OK thanks for the advice. Looks like I will be able to access my files in the interim between XP and Vista. Good news. Thx