Installing the same Windows license on several partitions

[ptek]

Hi all,

I have a legitim Windows (XP) installed on my laptop for several years I've been managed to avoid re-installations using backups.

Nowadays it feels very heavy, I have a lot of stuff installed and configured so I thought in creating a new partition, install Windows onto it and slowly start to install only the stuff I most use, using the old Windows in the meanwhile.

My question is if I can install the same Windows license at two partitions at a time, so I would not have to phone M$ when I try to activate the second Windows or perhaps when I boot back into the first...

Does anyone have experience with this subject?

Tnx a lot
Pedro

[ptek]

Worst case scenario is a call to the automated activation system if it didnt activate online ok. I've never had any problems when I've needed to call up.

That is what I fear, since I'm living at the Netherlands and I don't yet understand Dutch.

[ptek]

If it's XP, just grab the key via any app like Jellybean and install as you wish.

Thanks for the tip. I still have the license sticker beneath the laptop.

[ptek]

Just get a corporate pre-activated XP ISO from *somewhere*. This allows you to simply install it once and copy all the files onto other partitions. Just modify your own boot.ini.

Microsoft screwed you since the day Commodore tanked in 1994, so why should we ever give them extra money back because of draconian licensing and activation policies afforded by their illegal monopolistic activities to the current day.

Yes I undestand you but I would prefer to keep my license. Afterall I bought it (included with the laptop) and licenses from "other sources" gives some fussing with the validation (you need to do some tricks) which I can avoid just by using my legitim license.

[ptek]

http://www.magicaljellybean.com/keyfinder/

Should work for pulling the key as a usable file to avoid a re-reg.

Tnx, but I have the key. It's on the sticker.

[ptek]

Jellybean and other keyfile pullers can pull the keyfile from the current install, allowing you to then copy that saved file to the new install and "activate" it, saving you the trouble of calling up MS to re-purpose/re-register the existing copy.

Great! Did not understood that before. Thanks, I'll notify you if something goes wrong.

[ptek]

This. As long as you're scrupulous about never allowing Windows Genuine Spyware Advantage through in the updates, you're in the clear. (And it's not like you can buy a new copy of XP anyway.)

Windows Genuine Advantage (spyware?!): Yes, that's what I have now installed on the current WindowsXP was fearing from a second installation. If I am not mistaken, if you don't install WGA you cannot proceed to other updates. I guess SP3 is only available with WGA install (or is included...? well I could be wrong.)

But will Jellybean bypass this problem?

[ptek]

tribz and mongo have it.  You don't need to worry about volume or OpenLicense keys, WGA, and all that crap if you do it correctly.  Even if you have to call Microsoft activation, you'll be fine.  Technically what you want to do is outside of licensing (depending upon who you ask at Microsoft,) but no biggie, just don't tell them that's what you're doing if you have to speak to someone.  Just act stupid like you're reinstalling multiple times and activate each time.  It works.

The thing is that at some point, I will have 2 copies of the same Windows at different partitions, both with WGA and switching between the two several times. I am not sure if this is allowed so WGA could start complaining.

[ptek]

OK, thanks for the tips. I'll install ASAP and post the results.

[ptek]

If the machine shipped with XP preloaded it should have whats called System Locked Preinstallation.  You can turn any OEM XP install into a Royalty OEM SLP install by substituing the OEMBIOS files matching your vendor for the ones included by windows. You then need only use the generic XP OEM key from microsoft: http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb457078.aspx

Doing the OEMBIOS file replacement has to be done from safemode or another windows install to get around windows file protection. there is a backup copy of oembios.* in C:\windows\system32\dllcache, you will want to replace or remove those. oembios.dat oembios.sig and oembios.bin belong in system32, and oembios.cat belongs in catroot\{f...... folder.  Theres plenty of guides on how to do this.  It is the exact method that major brand computers are setup from the factory so they never need activation if you keep the original motherboard.

My XP installation was done when I booted from a CD that came along with the laptop (Toshiba Tecra A10). That process creates the partition (i think it ask if I want a second partition) and then install it. I quite don't remember if I needed to activate Windows by Internet after installing...

The thing is that I don't have any oembios files on the C:\windows\system32\dllcache folder. I am not sure what to do. I really wanted to avoid to call the phone service since I am at Netherlands and understand no Dutch (I assume the call service is automatic and on Dutch). Yes, I can still call other country activation but then I don't know if the access for that number is international (that is, if it a +countrycode number).

The situation is that I would have 2 partitions with same Windows, sharing the same serial key, and I will be alternating from an installation to another, until I finishing the lengthy process of installing everything I need on the fresh install.