XP Professional already active on another computer

[JimW_FV]

I own a CD copy of Office XP professional and spend 6 months in one city and
then 6 months in another, each city has a different desktop computer. Must I
uninstall Office XP professional before I move? Will this free up the
activation key so I can do an activation in my new city? Is there a way to do
the de-activation remotely?

 

[garfield-n-odie [MVP]]

Pirate CD copy or genuine Microsoft CD?

Read Section 2 of your Office XP End User License Agreement. It
will tell you how many computers you can install that particular
copy of Office XP Professional on. Depending on license type
(OEM, retail, volume license, etc.), the number of computers is
usually either one or two. If it is an OEM license, then the
software is permanently tied to the computer it came installed on
by the computer manufacturer, and cannot be legally transferred
to or installed on any other computer. If it is a retail
license, then the software is usually licensed for installation

 

[JimW_FV]

Hi,

I like your user name - still read it every day in the newspaper.
I am pretty sure I have a genuine Microsoft CD. It is a 2 CD set in an
official Microsoft jewel case. There is a Product Key sticker on the back and
also a sticker for CD SET: X08-01519. The front has Microsoft Office xp
Professional Version 2002.There is no mention of "not for resale" as one
used to find on OEM licenses. I bought it at the used book store run by the
friends of my local library so assume everything is OK. I bought it in
another city and had no problem installing and activating it 2 months ago.
There is a notation on the back cover - "The product is licensed as a single
product. Its component parts may not be separated for use on more than one
computer". It is probably too late now but if next year I go through a
uninstall will that release the Product Key?
Thanks

 

[Jay Freedman]

Microsoft's activation doesn't work that way -- there is no mechanism for
"releasing" an activation. If the Internet activation fails, because it's
already seen the maximum number of activations, or for any other reason,
you'll see a dialog with a phone number to call. You explain the legitimate
situation, and the Product Support person should give you a new activation
key to enter.

--
Regards,
Jay Freedman
Microsoft Word MVP
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