using multiple computers under 1 pro key and 2 media keys

ganon11000

New Member
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United Kingdon
I believe this is correct but please do correct me if I'm Wrong.

I bought windows 8 Pro Upgrade on my desktop (after loads of BSOD relating to nvidia I went back to 7) and installed it on my laptop (originally running XP) I also got the media centre pack .... twice since there server was going mad!

Anyway, what I'm asking is can I (technically) run 2 copies of Windows 8 Pro With Media Centre and 1 copy of Windows 8 Pro?
as in Windows activation on the laptop I'm using it says it's using the media centre key rather than the Windows 8 Pro key!

I also want to confirm that the Windows 8 Media Centre Pack is a separate licence?

Thanks
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 Pro with Media Centre X86
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    IBM ThinkPad X41 2525-F8G
    CPU
    Intel Pentium M 778 @ 1.6GHz
    Motherboard
    IBM 2525
    Memory
    2.5GB DDR2 (2GB Usable)
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel GMA900 which is unsupported :(
    Sound Card
    Sound MAX
    Monitor(s) Displays
    ThinkPad LCD 1024 X 786
    Screen Resolution
    1024 X 786
    Hard Drives
    Crucial M4 mSATA 64GB SSD with a mSATA to PATA adapter which achieves 87MB/s
    PSU
    IBM Original
    Case
    IBM Case, lol
    Cooling
    Stock
    Keyboard
    ThinkPad Original
    Mouse
    TrackPoint
    Internet Speed
    30MB/s down 3MB/s up Virgin Media Fibre optic
    Browser
    COMODO Dragon (Chromium based)
    Antivirus
    Avast! Anti-Virus Free Edition
Hi there
WMC is a separate license - however it *Might* install on several computers -- did you download when it was offered as a Free add on - I think those copies DO install on several computers. Not sure about the current version. I've abandoned WMC anyway as there's much better software out there IMO for this purpose.

Windows (any flavour) requires a separate license on each computer it's being run on.

Cheers
jimbo
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Linux Centos 7, W8.1, W7, W2K3 Server W10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Monitor(s) Displays
    1 X LG 40 inch TV
    Hard Drives
    SSD's * 3 (Samsung 840 series) 250 GB
    2 X 3 TB sata
    5 X 1 TB sata
    Internet Speed
    0.12 GB/s (120Mb/s)
I got it when it was free and what I mean is after installing windows 8 and adding it the key for windows changes to the media pack key, and I have 2 media pack keys and 1 8 pro and was wondering if it was possible to have 3 installations of windows 8 (2 with MC and 1 normal pro)
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 Pro with Media Centre X86
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    IBM ThinkPad X41 2525-F8G
    CPU
    Intel Pentium M 778 @ 1.6GHz
    Motherboard
    IBM 2525
    Memory
    2.5GB DDR2 (2GB Usable)
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel GMA900 which is unsupported :(
    Sound Card
    Sound MAX
    Monitor(s) Displays
    ThinkPad LCD 1024 X 786
    Screen Resolution
    1024 X 786
    Hard Drives
    Crucial M4 mSATA 64GB SSD with a mSATA to PATA adapter which achieves 87MB/s
    PSU
    IBM Original
    Case
    IBM Case, lol
    Cooling
    Stock
    Keyboard
    ThinkPad Original
    Mouse
    TrackPoint
    Internet Speed
    30MB/s down 3MB/s up Virgin Media Fibre optic
    Browser
    COMODO Dragon (Chromium based)
    Antivirus
    Avast! Anti-Virus Free Edition
Hi there
Why not try it and see -- Backup the relevant systems first so if it doesn't work then you can restore without problems.
W8 installs very quickly.

You could probably do a Windows install in around 10 - 15 mins -- you don't need to add any applications to see if the OS boots and works properly.


I think the problem you might encounter is that W8 requires you to enter the product key at install time and as soon as you are on the Internet it will validate the key -- so it's likely the duplicate key condition will be recognized -- except in the rare case where the hardware is IDENTICAL -- although even here some bioses have a serial number built in so even on the same hardware the licensing servers will be able to check -- I think currently though that only is checked in "BIOS Protected mode" so you could switch that off in the BIOS settings.

W7 gave 30 days before activation is required but W8 seems to want immediate activation which is where the problem will probably arise.

Cheers
jimbo
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Linux Centos 7, W8.1, W7, W2K3 Server W10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Monitor(s) Displays
    1 X LG 40 inch TV
    Hard Drives
    SSD's * 3 (Samsung 840 series) 250 GB
    2 X 3 TB sata
    5 X 1 TB sata
    Internet Speed
    0.12 GB/s (120Mb/s)
I've re-installed it and transferd it so many times and all I have to do is chat with a Microsoft agent :p
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 Pro with Media Centre X86
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    IBM ThinkPad X41 2525-F8G
    CPU
    Intel Pentium M 778 @ 1.6GHz
    Motherboard
    IBM 2525
    Memory
    2.5GB DDR2 (2GB Usable)
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel GMA900 which is unsupported :(
    Sound Card
    Sound MAX
    Monitor(s) Displays
    ThinkPad LCD 1024 X 786
    Screen Resolution
    1024 X 786
    Hard Drives
    Crucial M4 mSATA 64GB SSD with a mSATA to PATA adapter which achieves 87MB/s
    PSU
    IBM Original
    Case
    IBM Case, lol
    Cooling
    Stock
    Keyboard
    ThinkPad Original
    Mouse
    TrackPoint
    Internet Speed
    30MB/s down 3MB/s up Virgin Media Fibre optic
    Browser
    COMODO Dragon (Chromium based)
    Antivirus
    Avast! Anti-Virus Free Edition
that is may cause the server going down, so you can use multiple key for multiple computer
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    windows 8
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    DELL
    CPU
    AMD
    Motherboard
    AMD
    Memory
    2 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    ATI Radeon HD 6320
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
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