[mcbee]

I hope I am in order posting this. I have just read yvonnet's thread about installing Xp on her laptop and tower. What hAvAAck says is right. You can use the same disc to install XP on the two machines providing 1) the keys are of the same type. ie. OEM; Retail; Student etc. 2) you use the key that corresponds to each machine. It is the key code that is tied to the machine not the disc. Acyually that is not always the case, sometimes the disc can be tied to the BIOS. I have a Fujitsu disc that only works with a Fujitsu mobo.
I have built a few computers, for friends, using my own disc and using their new code to install. I supply the new disc to them still sealed in the package. In order to save unnecessary expenditure just start the install and fill in the code. You will get an invalid key code message if all is not well and no harm done.

[SocialWarfare]

And that is why Dave stated

Dell discs are only valid on Dell machines

[mcbee]

Believe it or not Social I used a Dell disc to install XP on a new build with no problems, it activated without question. That was 2 years ago, Dell don't always issue recovery discs anymore. I must state that when I sold the machine I installed a new operating system with it's own key. As I stated elsewhere just because it works doesn't mean that it is legal.

[hAvAAck]

Originally Posted by SocialWarfare

And that is why Dave stated

that's a different thread than the one mcbee is initially referring to :)
But thanks mcbee :D

[SocialWarfare]

I will work because of the IP address(I think) but as soon as it has changed it will no longer be a valid nor a legal copy

Edit:Yeah I was thinking that after reading through it lol

[Hybr!d]

I have always said the CD must match what you have installed. ie: if you have XP home with SP2 a XP home SP1 disc won't do a repair.

A Dell disc will work an any machine, they don't even require activation as they are pre activated, but it isn't legal, that's why I said not to do it.

[Hybr!d]

Originally Posted by SocialWarfare

I will work because of the IP address(I think) but as soon as it has changed it will no longer be a valid nor a legal copy

Edit:Yeah I was thinking that after reading through it lol

MS don't monitor IPs.

If you try and use one licence on two machines you will raise a flag on their database and will have to explain on the phone why if you really want it activated.