Here are some samples of prices:
Windows Home XP OEM $89.99 US http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116056
Windows Home XP OEM with 30 Keys is about $2700 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116057
OEM = Original equipment manufacturer
So a CD-Key must run about $80 a piece for another machine, don't quote me on that but it seems like it. Even if it is $20 that is too much. To me you should be able to don't click me a Windows CD and have it run on at least 3 computers with the same key. It is ridiculous that you would have to don't click me 3 versions of Windows to let your family be legal. Microsoft is giving us a good screw job for our money.
Also note that if you bought your computer from retail and it is an OEM version you cannot move windows to another machine without it not being genuine. They do this by making a key exactly for that machine by matching the key with 5 parts in the machine. I can confirm this because I upgraded a motherboard and since it's a core component the key did not work with the same machine.
So let's say you have Windows legally and have a new machine you placed it on. You are not genuine anymore and many updates you will not be able to get without being genuine. Your not at a loss thanks to this site!
http://www.softwarepatch.com/windows/index.html
So the Genuine Advantage is annoying to you as it pops up all the time and won't let you load windows without clicking Solve Later on the Windows Load. Here's a site that will help you remove that stupid thing!
http://www.mydigitallife.info/2006/04/26/disable-and-remove-windows-genuine-advantage-notifications-nag-screen/
Ok so let's say you are legit and have an OEM version of windows but you lost your CD-KEY. Mine automatically inserted my CD-KEY when I restored my computer with a fresh install. But if you are unfortunate and this isn't the case for you have no fear! On most OEM versions of Windows XP including all versions (Home/Pro/etc) you can get your CD-KEY.
As stated above this should work on most OEM versions of XP as long as your CD-KEY was supplied within the CD itself. All you need to do is pop in your CD. Do a search directing it toward the CD. Search for "unattend.txt" Your CD-KEY should be there, if not I'm sorry.
Hope that helps anyone out there to save some money. Microsoft deserves to be ripped off. A company that is worth billions of dollars and it shows its respects to its customers by setting ridiculous prices on all of its software. A shame that Mac and Linux aren't as popular
