Virtual Box newbie question re Windows XP activation

[Orographic]

Hi all,

Have installed Virtual Box 2.1.0 in Intrepid just for some website testing in IE etc.

I've used the OEM disk I have for my current system but haven't activated it. I assume if I do that my XP install on a second internal drive wont update anymore?

Also, I have an old XP SP2 disk (OEM I think but maybe not) from a system that has now been recyled. Can I use that disk to install XP in Virtual Box then activate it?

cheers for the help.

[nhasian]

yeah you can activate it in virtualbox as well. they can both be active at the same time and both will update just fine.

[Orographic]

I'm just trying to get my head around this. So, why did this person have so much trouble?

http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=681883

[theozzlives]

I'm just trying to get my head around this. So, why did this person have so much trouble?

http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=681883

Don't worry about things... you got 2 serials, should be no problem.

[nhasian]

worst case scenario is that it MS wont allow you to activate your windows if you've reached your maximum number of installs... You'd have to call their 800 number to speak to a tech then they'll enable it for you.

[Orographic]

Thanks guys, I've now installed a spare copy of XP on Virtual Box that is no longer associated with any machine and it activated fine. Will test my spare internal drive that has XP on it when I get a chance to see if I can update it. I should be able to as its another XP license altogether.

[Kellemora]

Hi Oro

As long as you have the Number from the Sticker for each instance of an install you're home free!

But realize that there are XP-Home, XP-MCE, XP-PRO, etc. and the numbers ARE NOT interchangeable.

Many computer service centers will gladly give you an XP disk, usually for free. If it's XP-Home for example, it will work and you can install it on all your machines, except, you need a valid number for each machine.

In other words KEEP THOSE STICKERS handy from ALL of your machines, past and present. And also keep track of which version of XP they came from too.

This is one of the reason I may pick up a machine that is dumped in the trash. Just to get the sticker so I can install it on an older machine I'm getting rid of that may have never had any version of the Doze on it.

Of course, nowdays, I install Ubuntu on the machines and still keep the XP sticker for myself if ever need be, hi hi......

TTUL
Gary

[Orographic]

Thanks Gary! :)