Can you install your legit copy of windows on more than one comp?
 

Out of curiousity, I was wondering if I could install my legit copy of vista on my 2nd computer or would that flag the serial number and ruin my copy of vista?

Thanks guys

You can't.

a crack will do...

You can install Vista, but you can't activate it. If I remember correctly, you can actually skip entering a serial number during the install phase.

Your original computer that it was activated on will continue working, but the new computer will probably stop working after the 30 day activation grace period is up.

EDIT: Only a VLK will allow the same serial number on multiple computers. This is usually for environments such as corporate customers who have to roll out the same image to multiple workstations.

My XP pro that I got through SFU allows me to install a copy on a Desk top and a laptop, so is my office 2003.

Check with your end user agreement or whatever and see.

i just installed vista on my new macbook with boot camp and it seems to be working fine. i got the vista home premium one

u might have to call Microsoft for the activation. They don't flag your original to be inactive. But in theory, you shouldn't

I'm not sure exactly how Vista works, but for XP, after you've gone over the number of allowed activations (I think it's two), then you would need to call in to get it activated. You could just say you've removed it from your old computer. I've done it numerous times in the past.

I would assume it should be the same for Vista. I can't imagine that they would deactivate an already validated system... but I could be wrong.

what you do is install, and then call in when you activate and tell them that you changed the mobo cause it got fried. They will give you whatever code you need to finish off the activation. In this scenario, you're not really moving licenses, you're just having to reinstall due to hardware being replaced. Works for me everytime I need to "reinstall" with "changed hardware".

And this is for oem only?
I've heard people doing this but won't they just deactivate your "old" validation key? It's just a possibility.

It'll probably work until the next WGA check.

Safest bet is to just get another copy?

It's Vista 64 if that even matters.

That would be the "legal" way. :D

Licensing is the same regardless of whether it's 32 or 64 bit.

I'm not totally sure, but I don't believe so.

I don't think they deactivate your old activations.

^ But they can do it. That's actually what WGA does. They have a database of high installed key count. If they decided your number has been installed "many many" times, they put it on the black list and if WGA is installed (from the auto update), they can stop it and ask you to verify it's a legit copy.