Re: switching WinXP licenses on two PCs

[Michael Jacobsen <MJacobsen@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Dave,

>From what I understand, SP1 and SP2 contain a list of abused Product Keys. 
 It won't allow updates to those machines with one of the keys known to be 
widely spread.

I don't know if Windows Update does more than that or not.  I'm interested 
in knowing, so if I have time I will research it later tonight.  My best 
guess is that it might check to see if you are already activated before 
allowing you to update.  But I doubt it goes beyond that because once you 
get activated, you are valid.  No need to check again since Windows itself 
will check to see if the hardware matches the activation key.  Unless they 
added some more extra protective measures, I could be wrong.  :)

Mike

> What about Windows Update?  It was about a year and a half ago that MS
> started cracking down on bootleg copies of XP by cutting off their 
update
> privileges.  Every time you try to update (either manually or through
> automatic updates) they probably verify that the computer is yours. 
Maybe
> having a vulnerable OS is a marketing strategy?  I'm sorry but you can't
> argue if you haven't paid.  But I just did.  No you haven't.  Yes I 
have.
> Oh alright, here's some money now you have to argue with me.  No I 
don't.
> Ah ha, you just did!  No I didn't--I could be arguing in my spare time. 
(I
> digress...)
> 
> Dave Parnin