I don't know if that is accurate, it would mean my totally custom-built PC has no legal boundaries to using an OS.

i talked to my dad and he said if theres a CD key on a product then its obviously meant for one computer only(so if it cant be installed on two at once). if it is installed on two at once Microsoft could come to me saying i need to remove it or they will not support me(cutting off microsoft update/support).

when i installed Mac os x on my computer it clearly stated that the software was only allowed to be installed on one computer at a time so that two computers are not using the same software(cd key).

Why the bloody hell would Microsoft come to you? A big percentage of Windows users are borrowing serials from illegal sites, how they are gonna single you out from millions of people I don't know. And even better, how are they gonna know you are re-using a CD key when you aren't connected to the internet while installing the OS?

Plus, you obviously have no idea how CD keys work. The installer recognizes certain keys, write the correct one and it will allow you to continue, that's it. There is no sending a log to the internet mumbo jumbo, this is just a matter of making the installer program happy. And when installing an OS you aren't connected to the internet so I'm puzzled where you got the stupid idea from that MS could possibly know your activities.

I have a question about XP, you say the CD key should work on different pcs, right?

Well, I tried using the same code with the same CD [XP Professional version, or whatever its called] on two different computers, I called in to get the key the first time and I figured it'd work for the other pc. I entered the key, but unfortunately, it didn't work...

That's pretty odd, I have never had such problems...
Unless MS have changed strategies recently, maybe you are just typing the key incorrectly by accident?

well i thought maybe microsoft could tell when your connecting to them(microsoft update, and stuff like that). but yeah i guess im starting to understand this.

They can do that, but they don't have legal rights to spy on users like that I think. I occasionally receive an update that has the purpose of verifying if I used a legal CD key. Saying cancel to that is all that is needed, and even if it does find out you don't have a legal key, it will just tell you how you can obtain one, there are no actions or anything on MS' behalf.

My friend lost his UT04 Cd key so I gave him mine and theres no problems I also used his Halo product key with no problems

wow.... so its all just a conspiracy

so all i need to know is that its win xp and i can play games like Half life2, FEAR, etc right....? if i buy it i'll get virus protection too(whats the best brand btw?).

If you stay away from questionable websites you won't need any protection from malware. I save performance by keeping no heavy protectors running, I just scan the hard drive every now and then.

But if you do want some pointers; programs like NOD32 or AVG are great, and free too. If you are ready to spend a few bucks, then I strongly recommend Panda Antivirus.

You need a seperate CD key for each installation. If you want Windows XP on five different computers, buy it five times.

Same thing with goes with Vista.

Also, Vista isn't that bad, most of the current drivers work perfectly. My Creative SoundBlaster card works like a charm.

Yeah, but you still can't play many games. I doubt STEAM even works on Vista.

Do they release the OSs on some special type of CDs that save info about what CD key has been used?

You can't install if the inputted CD key is in use. Of course, if you use keygens you only need to buy one disk. But that's illegal.

All of my games run perfectly on Vista, including Steam.

How can the other computer know that the CD key is in use?

Bjossi if you never connect to the net for updates your computer will pretty much be a waist of cash(so if you do, your f'ed by microsoft i guess..?).

I never get updates for XP, works fine for me for the most part, though I would recommend getting the updates. It still works seemingly fine without them though.

As for why the CD key won't work for multiple computers, I think I read somewhere that the key is generated based on the PC's components. Because of this, a major upgrade to your computer in one go can cause XP to ask you to register your XP and cease to function after 30 days without activation.

I don't have the slightest idea what you are trying to say there.

eh... i forget. but the only way a comp could tell if a cd key was used more than once would be by conecting to the internet(in some fashion).

That is true. But considering that internet isn't vital to install the OS, it makes it all the more weird.

yeah thats true.....