Questions on Number of Installs on Different Drives of Same Computer

[AutocadUser]

Just obtained new Owner Version of Ultimate (32 and 64). It says 3 different installs allowed.

I wish to use it on 2 hard drives in same computer, one 64 bit, one 32 bit for testing our AutoCAD Addin Sofware. Will likely re-do the current 64 install (done by this owned package) to 32 (as 64 is on the new & larger drive, a mistake on my part), then install 64 again, but on smaller hard drive.

This has me concerned as to how MS views the number of installs (limitted number), especially as within the same computer, same basic configuration.

1. Will I soon run out of my allowed installs, or will they be considered as just one as is on same machine??

2. Does MS have any problem with 2 installs active on one computer (separate hard drives)?

 

[JaxMacFL]

Just obtained new Owner Version of Ultimate (32 and 64). It says 3 different installs allowed.

I wish to use it on 2 hard drives in same computer, one 64 bit, one 32 bit for testing our AutoCAD Addin Sofware. Will likely re-do the current 64 install (done by this owned package) to 32 (as 64 is on the new & larger drive, a mistake on my part), then install 64 again, but on smaller hard drive.

This has me concerned as to how MS views the number of installs (limitted number), especially as within the same computer, same basic configuration.

1. Will I soon run out of my allowed installs, or will they be considered as just one as is on same machine??

2. Does MS have any problem with 2 installs active on one computer (separate hard drives)?

1. I believe the way it works is you get three activations before you have to use the telephone/website/automated voice read me/type in these numbers procedure. Once you get the telephone activation done, I believe you have one, maybe two more activations before you have to do it again.

2. One active install per purchased Product Key. Whether that be the 32bit or the 64bit. If they came together (as with Vista Ultimate) or if, like I did, you bought, Vista Business x32 and sent in $10 for the x64 version, you can still only have one activated at one time. Not both.

 

[AutocadUser]

1. I believe the way it works is you get three activations before you have to use the telephone/website/automated voice read me/type in these numbers procedure. Once you get the telephone activation done, I believe you have one, maybe two more activations before you have to do it again.

2. One active install per purchased Product Key. Whether that be the 32bit or the 64bit. If they came together (as with Vista Ultimate) or if, like I did, you bought, Vista Business x32 and sent in $10 for the x64 version, you can still only have one activated at one time. Not both.

Thank you - greatly appreciated. While I cannot see how two "active" on different hard drives would worry them (clearly only one be can run at a time), it does not surprise me that it might be a problem in their eyes.

thanks , Ralph

 

[robertpri]

I wish to use it on 2 hard drives in same computer,

Or do like I do: make a dynamic file by file copy of the first drive to the second one with something like Casper. The second drive is fully bootable, fully functional, an exact copy of the first drive. [not an image or ghost, but a real file/file copy]

 

[AutocadUser]

I wish to use it on 2 hard drives in same computer,

Or do like I do: make a dynamic file by file copy of the first drive to the second one with something like Casper. The second drive is fully bootable, fully functional, an exact copy of the first drive. [not an image or ghost, but a real file/file copy]

I appreciate your words, and may use that in future.

Would it serve as instant backup in case of main hard drive OS or drive failure? By "dynamic", does that imply it depends on the original to be there & in ojk shape??

At moment, my desire is for Ultimate 32 on one drive, and Ultimate 64 on the other physical drive.

 

[robertpri]

No, in my text, dynamic means "real files" not images or ghosty things. Once you make the casper copy, you can boot to that drive, and/or open files on that drive. You don't need special ISO created bootable CD/DVD disks. I'm sure there are other apps that do the same thing, but most are images or ghosts. Even Vice Versa Pro2, which has extraordinary Volume Shadow Services [copies even windows operating system files that are open/in use]. But VV Pro 2 copies are not bootable.

You can search for better apps, and I'm sure they exist, but Casper is the only one I found with both VSS copies to a drive that is fully bootable.

I have dual boot on my laptop with two drives. I often boot the second drive [from the boot menu] just to make certain it works.

Has never failed me.

 

[AutocadUser]

Very interesting. I also use 2 physical drives, and would like one for OS & Program backup in event of problems. This method would do the job well, I will save your posts

thanks, Ralph

 

[robertpri]

Very interesting. I also use 2 physical drives, and would like one for OS & Program backup in event of problems. This method would do the job well, I will save your posts

thanks, Ralph

No problem. If I may add, I have designed and installed backup systems for a few small companies here in town, in addition to my stuff. Backing up "parts" are not terribly effective. The programs need the regsitry to run, so if you save the OS, you still have to reinstall programs, et al.

It just seems that with today's hard drive prices being comparatively low, it makes more sense to backup the entire HD, not just parts of it.

There is a trial version of Casper at: Welcome to Future Systems Solutions

With EasyBCD [free] you can boot to either drive

 

[Barman58]

Hello Autocaduser,

As your need for multiple installs is for a very specific task - check compatibility with your add-ons, and I assume you have a time scale set for this testing it may be possible to complete all your testing on one flavour x86/x64 without actually activating the system. You have 30 days grace before you need to actually activate the licence and this may be extended as explained below.

This is one possible solution to your dilemma with licences if the testing period is within the available grace period.

http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/66990-activation-extend-trial-period.html

at the end of the trial period you can then activate whichever version of the OS proves most suitable

 

[AutocadUser]

Thank you all. Great input!! Appreciated VERY much

Wow, this 64 bit is fantastic. I hope we can make our "in AutoCAD" addin program run 64 soon, if so will stay in it most of the time & use it as my #1.

Newest biggest 2009 AutoCAD (was really a slug on my Vista OEM Home Premium) FLIES - like 4 - 5 seconds to load 1st time after startup - maybe 10 + times faster & everything runs clean.

I am getting constant hard drive flickering on it though, havn't figured that out yet. BitDefender says it is clean.

 

[Barman58]

HI Autocaduser,

I wouldn't worry about drive activity on a new install, you have file indexing and superfetch set to index the drive.
As they are set-up to work only when the system is idle it can take a while to complete unless you have a habit of leaving the machine at idle for long periods