View Full Version : MCE 2005 installation worries
Ok, i've bought a copy of MCE 2005. My plan is to install it on my current machine to test it, and then if i'm happy i'll buy some completely new kit and install it on that. Now, my concerns are to do with Microsoft's activation key. I read something that suggested it ties MCE to the computer you've installed it on and thus i won't be able to install it on my new kit. Does anyone know anything about this?
Grumble
03-04-2005, 2:29 AM
You're stuck when you activate MCE, it then registers you, and your machine over the web, which locks the code to your machine.
MCE is an OEM only product.
i.e. you are limited to the number of hardware changes.
Windows looks at the following ten items:
1. Display card
2. SCSI/SATA adapter
3. IDE adapter
4. Network card Mac address
5. RAM
6. Processor type (AMD/Intel)
7. Processor serial number
8. Hard drive
9. Hard drive volume serial number (this will change if you re-format the drive)
10. CD/DVD drive
The rule of thumb is, you can change 4 devices before re-activation is required.
The trial period is 30 days, then you must activate.
windfall
03-04-2005, 9:07 AM
Personally I can't see what the issue is, if you change anything in the PC then just re-activate. You own the license you are allowed to change the computer as long as you remove the OS from the old computer - you should not worry about it too much.
I use Virtual Machines for testing and I have installed XP on over 30 different VM's and activated it. The previous machines have obviously been deleted. In some cases I use the VMWARE disk image option for snapshots. Unfortunately VMware will be no good for testing MCE2005 but its useful for testing other utils etc.
Tone
that's great, thanks for the info. so i can either complete my evaluation in the 30 day trial period, or just re-activate on my new machine . . .
just to confirm, as long as i don't try running it on two machines at once i'll be ok . . .
windfall
03-04-2005, 12:21 PM
I have usedthe same license and code on two seperate machines, both activated ok. I then removed the old installation. So technically I had two copies of the same os with same serial number for an hour but the old one was deleted.
This is one of the issues of working for a software company, but we were a MS Partner and had an open Lisence which makes a different scenario. As long as you are happy that you are not breaking the lisence agreement you are ok.
There is a way (legal to use btw!) that you can copy off the activation code after activating the installation so that if you reload the machine for any reason you can boot to safe mode and restore the activation files. This way you are not forced to activate over and over again. The article was on Techrepublic if you have a sign on for them.
Cheers
Tone