Windows WinXP Pro Serial Number

Does anyone know where i can purchase a single xp pro serial number with no software?

 

Fleabay might be your best option...

I'm not completely sure on this, but I think they need to give you a CD too for it to be legit..

-scoob8000

 

yea searched ebay like a hundread time they all come with software but the thing is i already have the software and all i need is a serial number. Guess i will keep searching.

 

if you've lost your original serial number a call to MS should help.

 

nope didnt lose it im just installing a new os on a new computer and i have the software from another computer.

 

I buy like this all the time....

Go to pricewatch.com and look for a COA - not sure on Pro but Home runs like $53ish most of the time. You will just get the label in the mail, no media but there are many different places that sell like this....just look around.

This is where I buy mine from

http://www.aircup.com/.sc/ms/dd/105...soft%20Winbox%20XP%20Professional--COA%20ONLY

$81 shipped - damn Pro is alot more than Home.....

 

Thanks for the link

 

So you're spreading a lisence over 2 pcs, which is illegal? If you had 2 lisences youd have 2 serial numbers. Or have you wiped it from another PC and am putting it on yours - im which case doesnt the CD have the serial number with it?

 

Bindibadgi -

That's why he's looking to buy a Certificate Of Authority. It is the license to use another copy.

 

Im not spreading the license over 2 pcs. I am look for a new serial number to use on the new computer so i will have 2 serials for 2 computers but i dont want to pay the price for the discs when i have them already.

 

Oooo now i get you. Phone microsoft?

 

I was speaking to a mate im no longer in touch with ages ago about the same subject. He claimed to work for microsoft and said that the one licence/ key entitles you to install on 2 desktop pc's and a lappy.. Im guessing thats utter BS, correct?

Alex

 

Read the licence, it'll tell you what you can and can't do with it. That's the point of them.

 

Like quack said, it depends on the license.
The label on mine says "Windows XP Professional 1-2CPU". I assume that means you can install it on 2 different computers, because I did without a problem.

 

Actually 1-2CPU refers to one PC with 1 or 2 processors fitted.

Here's part of the OEM Licence:

1. GRANT OF LICENSE. Manufacturer grants you the following
rights, provided you comply with all of the terms and
conditions of this EULA:

* Installation and Use. Except as otherwise expressly
provided in this EULA, you may install, use, access,
display and run only one (1) copy of the SOFTWARE on
the COMPUTER. The SOFTWARE may not
be used by more than two (2) processors at any one time
on the COMPUTER, unless a higher number is indicated
on the Certificate of Authenticity. You may permit a
maximum of ten (10) ("Connection Maximum") computers
or other electronic devices (each a "Device") to connect
to the COMPUTER to utilize the services of the SOFTWARE
solely for File and Print services, Internet Information
services, and remote access (including connection sharing
and telephony services). The ten (10) Connection Maximum
includes any indirect connections made through
"multiplexing" or other software or hardware which pools
or aggregates connections. Except as otherwise permitted
below, you may not use the Device to use, access, display
or run the SOFTWARE, the SOFTWARE's
User Interface or other executable software residing
on the COMPUTER.

* Software as a Component of the Computer - Transfer. THIS
LICENSE MAY NOT BE SHARED,
TRANSFERRED TO OR USED CONCURRENTLY
ON DIFFERENT COMPUTERS. The SOFTWARE
is licensed with the HARDWARE as a single integrated
product and may only be used with the HARDWARE. If the
SOFTWARE is not accompanied by new HARDWARE, you may
not use the SOFTWARE. You may permanently transfer all
of your rights under this EULA only as part of a
permanent sale or transfer of the HARDWARE, provided
you retain no copies, if you transfer all of the SOFTWARE
(including all component parts, the media and printed
materials, any upgrades, this EULA and the Certificate
of Authenticity), and the recipient agrees to the terms
of this EULA. If the SOFTWARE is an upgrade, any
transfer must also include all prior versions of the
SOFTWARE.

* Mandatory Activation. THIS SOFTWARE
CONTAINS TECHNOLOGICAL MEASURES THAT
ARE DESIGNED TO PREVENT UNLICENSED
OR ILLEGAL USE OF THE SOFTWARE.
The license rights granted under this EULA are limited
to the first thirty (30) days after you first run the
SOFTWARE unless you supply information required to
activate your licensed copy in the manner described
during the setup sequence (unless Manufacturer has
activated for you). You can activate the SOFTWARE
through the use of the Internet or telephone; toll
charges may apply. You may also need to reactivate the
SOFTWARE if you modify your HARDWARE or alter the
SOFTWARE.

* Security Updates. Content providers are using the digital
rights management technology ("Microsoft DRM") contained
in this SOFTWARE to protect the integrity of their
content ("Secure Content") so that their intellectual
property, including copyright, in such content is not
misappropriated. Owners of such Secure Content ("Secure
Content Owners") may, from time to time, request MS,
Microsoft Corporation or their subsidiaries to provide
security related updates to the Microsoft DRM components
of the SOFTWARE ("Security Updates") that may affect
your ability to copy, display and/or play Secure Content
through Microsoft software or third party applications
that utilize Microsoft DRM.
YOU THEREFORE AGREE THAT, IF YOU
ELECT TO DOWNLOAD A LICENSE FROM
THE INTERNET WHICH ENABLES YOUR USE
OF SECURE CONTENT, MS, MICROSOFT
CORPORATION OR THEIR SUBSIDIARIES
MAY, IN CONJUNCTION WITH SUCH
LICENSE, ALSO DOWNLOAD ONTO YOUR
COMPUTER SUCH SECURITY UPDATES THAT
A SECURE CONTENT OWNER HAS REQUESTED
THAT MS, MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR
THEIR SUBSIDIARIES DISTRIBUTE. MS,
Microsoft Corporation or their subsidiaries will not
retrieve any personally identifiable information, or
any other information, from your COMPUTER by downloading
such Security Updates.

* Back-up Copy. IF MANUFACTURER HAS NOT
INCLUDED A BACK-UP COPY OF THE
SOFTWARE WITH THE COMPUTER ON
PHYSICAL MEDIA (e.g. CD OR
PARTITIONED HARD DRIVE), YOU MAY
MAKE A SINGLE BACK-UP COPY OF THE
SOFTWARE. You may use the back-up copy solely for your
archival purposes and to reinstall the SOFTWARE on the
COMPUTER. Except as expressly provided in this EULA
or by local law, you may not otherwise make copies of
the SOFTWARE, including the printed materials
accompanying the SOFTWARE. You may not loan, rent,
lease, lend or otherwise transfer the CD or back-up copy
to another user.

And here's a snippet from the Retail EULA:

1. GRANT OF LICENSE. Microsoft grants you the following rights
provided that you comply with all terms and conditions of
this EULA:

* Installation and use. You may install, use, access,
display and run one copy of the Product on a single
computer, such as a workstation, terminal or other device
("Workstation Computer"). The Product may not be used
by more than two (2) processors at any one time on any
single Workstation Computer. You may permit a maximum
of ten (10) computers or other electronic devices (each
a "Device") to connect to the Workstation Computer to
utilize the services of the Product solely for File and
Print services, Internet Information Services, and remote
access (including connection sharing and telephony
services). The ten connection maximum includes any
indirect connections made through "multiplexing" or other
software or hardware which pools or aggregates
connections. Except as otherwise permitted by the
NetMeeting, Remote Assistance, and Remote Desktop
features described below, you may not use the Product
to permit any Device to use, access, display or run other
executable software residing on the Workstation Computer,
nor may you permit any Device to use, access, display,
or run the Product or Product's user interface, unless
the Device has a separate license for the Product.

* Mandatory Activation. The license rights granted under this
EULA are limited to the first thirty (30) days after
you first install the Product unless you supply
information required to activate your licensed copy in
the manner described during the setup sequence of the
Product. You can activate the Product through the use
of the Internet or telephone; toll charges may apply.
You may also need to reactivate the Product if you modify
your computer hardware or alter the Product. There are
technological measures in this Product that are designed
to prevent unlicensed or illegal use of the Product.
You agree that we may use those measures.

* Storage/Network Use. You may also store or install a copy
of the Product on a storage device, such as a network
server, used only to install or run the Product on your
other Workstation Computers over an internal network;
however, you must acquire and dedicate an additional
license for each separate Workstation Computer on or
from which the Product is installed, used, accessed,
displayed or run. A license for the Product may not be
shared or used concurrently on different Workstation
Computers.

* Reservation of Rights. Microsoft reserves all rights not
expressly granted to you in this EULA.

There's no "laptop" provision, if you want to install XP onto your laptop as well as your desktop PC, you need another licence!

 

personally, I think its raping our rights as individuals to limit us to such things... to limit what we do with what we own is ludicrus. Its using humans as cash cows, nothing on earth or elsewhere is worth such limitation of our freedoms.

Regardless, microsoft dont sell licenses by themselves unless you buy in bulk (at least packs of 5). So your only option is to buy an oem copy or similar, even though your getting the software again (if you dont want it, I'll take it my disk snapped in the drive and MS wont replace it. thank god for back-ups! )

 

Yea i just bought the whole thing over again. Put another damn penny into the most evil company in the world!!

 

I agree completely.


And I guess I was wrong about the 1-2CPU thing. I would have thought that MS would have tracked that I had already registered the serial though?

 

Well half of the town I live in uses the same copy of XP Pro lol. Personally I have at least 4 systems with it. And all of my friends use that one as well. But I won't go there....

You're right though.

When it says pro is for 1-2CPU, that means it works with one or two processors. CPU = Central Processing Unit, NOT ComPUter. Basically if you have a dual proc board or an intel P4 system with H/T it lets you use "both" (in the case of the H/T P4's its two logical=one physical) processors.

MS tracks the registered copies thru activation. It sends in the activation code which is based on various bits of hardware (up to 10 apparently) and your serial number, and checks if there's a serial number using a different activation code. And if it's too different (sometimes you'll need to reactivate if you change too much hardware!! but sometimes you can back up the activation file and it won't cause problems) you need to call them and tell why you're reactivating it.

And if you're me, you say you just reformatted. Which is always true in my case. Just not my answer to the number of comps I've activated it on...

 

I'm not stupid.