I have recently bought a notebook, with original Windows XP Home installed (I
suppose it's OEM). I want to install a new instance of Windows XP inside a
virtual machine (VMWare), on the same computer. Can I do it? I am having
problems on activating Windows with the virtual machine, because the Product
Key is the same I've already used for the original installation of Windows.
Can anyone help me?

You need a separate license for the Windows install on the VM, just as you
would for an install on a second PC.

"Jonatan" <Jonatan@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:EED7E20D-5E62-451B-9459-9FC77E1B51FC@microsoft.com...
>I have recently bought a notebook, with original Windows XP Home installed
>(I
> suppose it's OEM). I want to install a new instance of Windows XP inside a
> virtual machine (VMWare), on the same computer. Can I do it? I am having
> problems on activating Windows with the virtual machine, because the
> Product
> Key is the same I've already used for the original installation of
> Windows.
> Can anyone help me?

You cannot use the same Windows XP license. If you wish
to install Windows XP on a Virtual Machine, you'll need to
purchase a new Windows XP license. Virtual Machines are
treated just like conventional computers when it comes to
licensing agreements.

Example:

Microsoft Windows XP Home With SP2 - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16832116056


--
Carey Frisch
Microsoft MVP
Windows Shell/User

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Jonatan" wrote:

| I have recently bought a notebook, with original Windows XP Home installed (I
| suppose it's OEM). I want to install a new instance of Windows XP inside a
| virtual machine (VMWare), on the same computer. Can I do it? I am having
| problems on activating Windows with the virtual machine, because the Product
| Key is the same I've already used for the original installation of Windows.
| Can anyone help me?

Not to mention that the OEM license that came with the laptop is not
transferable to ANY PC (a VM is considered a separate PC), so the install of
it on a VM is against the EULA.

"Dave B." <mail@nomail.com> wrote in message
news:exa55%23T7GHA.1560@TK2MSFTNGP04.phx.gbl...
> You need a separate license for the Windows install on the VM, just as you
> would for an install on a second PC.
>
> "Jonatan" <Jonatan@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> news:EED7E20D-5E62-451B-9459-9FC77E1B51FC@microsoft.com...
>>I have recently bought a notebook, with original Windows XP Home installed
>>(I
>> suppose it's OEM). I want to install a new instance of Windows XP inside
>> a
>> virtual machine (VMWare), on the same computer. Can I do it? I am having
>> problems on activating Windows with the virtual machine, because the
>> Product
>> Key is the same I've already used for the original installation of
>> Windows.
>> Can anyone help me?
>
>

Sorry, you will have to buy another license from Microsoft in order to
install on a virtual machine.
Gene K