[thymekiller]

A friend wants to wipe his hard drive, and install WinXP. He wants to use his brother's copy. Is that possible?? I know it needs to be activated to use it-so what happens if you dont?? And what happens if you do, and it has been used once?? If it wont work, I need to tell him, before he gets started.
thyme

 

[Couriant]

He will need a CD KEY (license) before doing it. And it does not include his brother's. SO legally no, he cannot. Physically yes, and I don't think that activating it will stop the process. But again, legally, NO

 

[skinnywhiteboy]

Or after the activation notification reaches its limit, your OS will just stop working all together.

 

[thymekiller]

I knew about the legal aspects of it, but I knew he was pretty determined, and i just wondered what would happen. I havent known anyone to try it, so I didnt know what it would do-if it would just quit running or what. Thanks for the input.
thyme

 

[Emtronics]

It will stop working, I do it all the time. When building a system, I use XP Pro but don't activate it. I use the system on the bench unless it is sold, then I sell the KEY with the machine and they activate it. If after 30 days, I still have the computer, I format, and re-install XP. ONE License per machine.

 

[thymekiller]

Thanks for the info. I just wondered if it would really just stop working-makes sense to me.