I have the opportunity of buying a used, refurbished laptop with Win 98 installed. I would like to install XP and have a disk that was supplied with a new Dell desktop purchased 12 months ago. Is there any reason why I can't use this disk - will it work or will I break any licence agreement?

The disk my be specific to your dell PC plus when you come to register it (if you can get it to install) they may ask a few questions........as you can only have the O/S on one PC at a time

Thanks, but I am still not clear. It does look as the disk is Dell specific. If I could install it, I am probably not obliged to register but if I don't I can't get updates, am I right?

The retailer is offering the XP at £55 extra. I am inclined to go for it if it will be a lot of grief trying to install it in two. Any ideas?

You have one license for your Dell Machine so if you've used that disk on another machine (that still has it installed at the moment and running) and you only have one Certificate Of Authenticacy (side of your PC, usually a sticker), then you can only install on one PC.

It isn't the fact of the disk, its the fact of the licenses (certificates). So, no you won't be able to download Windows Updates and it would be classed as piracy.

To ad insult to injury, Dell Branded MS Software will only install on Dell hardward. There is a bios check built into the newer disks (Worked at Dell during that Licensing change) Prior to 2000 or 2001, the MS Media that came with a Dell will install on Non-Dell, after that timeframe, it will only install on a Dell.

Now, What Own has stated is very correct. You have only 1 license (COA) for that system. It will ask to Activate after installation and will compare with the MS Database.

This is what annoys me about Microsoft. You bought the OS you should be able to do what you like. If I bought a music CD, it dosent say that you can only play it in your living room music centre. Go ahead and install it but you will only receive updates for the original place to originally installed the OS.

Piracy is not advocated on this forum.

It is not piracy. Microsoft is piracy.

Its piracy, face the fact. We might not like it, but we pay and why should others get it free.

Yes I pay for the software but once paid for I should have the right to do what I like with it. Microsoft are the pirates not Joe Public.