Re: switching WinXP licenses on two PCs

Rick,

> Upgrade, but I could use another windows CD to prove the upgrade
> status, so that shouldn't matter - The only reason for installing home
> first, was so that I wouldn't have two PCs using the same license - in
> case one or the other had to get to the web, and the mother ship finds
> out.

They would never find out.  There is no way (that I know of) that 
Microsoft can go check to see if your other computer is still activated 
using the same Key.  They would have to access your old computer without 
you knowing about it.  Once it's activated, that's it.  It won't check 
with Microsoft again to activate.  At least, not that I'm aware of. 

 
> How much of a grace period does ms give you when they detect a
> processor change?  is it immediate?

If you changed _only_ the processor, it may not need activation.  If you 
changed a bunch of components, you probably will need to activate again. I 
assume Windows checks the hardware each time it loads to make sure the 
activation key still matches the hardware.

Since you are doing a complete re-installation, you will need to activate 
within 30 days.



> every friday night many of my friends gravitate to a buddy of mine's
> house.  just sort of a standing friday night party.  There's also a
> standing offer that if you're having PC problems, bring it over to his
> house on a friday night, and he and I will 'fix' it over beers.

That's what I need to start doing!  Good idea.  :)

Have fun!  I was recently invited to be a beta tester for Longhorn/Vista. 
I installed it last weekend, but I had so many problems (mostly driver 
related), I got rid of it.  :)  I might try it out again on a different PC 
soon.

Mike