I read the license agreement for Win ME and I noticed it said I could use the software per computer. I have one computer with two hard drives and both have Win ME from the same CD installed.

One hard drive is usually used for storage but I will change back and forth because each hard drive has different programs on it.

Is this in violation of anything because its still in one computer and only one user can use it at a time.

Thanks

I'm sure having a backup drive doesn't violate anything. There are now even online backup sites that operate with no licensing problems.

Every now and then someone smoking too much dope gets paranoind and posts here because they're worried if their particular setup violates microsoft's EULA. Your particular situation doesn't even rise to that level of concern. But here's some thoughts on that from a previous thread:

http://www.computing.net/windows95/...

Microsoft are quite clear on this and it's easy to understand the difference between Retail and OEM licences. One's transferable - the other isn't. One you can pretty much do what you want with, the other you can't.

If you want to put two operating systems on two separate hard drives in the same box then you would buy one retail version of the operating system (or buy two OEM licences). You can install the retail OS as many times as you like, where you want, when you want (transferable).

An OEM licence is a single, non transferable licence and the operating system goes and stays on a single hard drive, which you can reinstall as many times as you like, and you can change hard drives for whatever reason...

Microsoft only considers a change of motherboard as constituting a new machine, which would therefore entail you buying a new OEM licence, which is also written into the OEM licence T&C small print.

If you have a retail licence you are good to go.

If you have an OEM licence then technically you are in breach of the licence and it's T&C (not that this seems to matter from what I see in the real world, but it's a breach nevertheless).

That being said, who's gonna know? or care? There's software out there that will punch out as many product keys as you want/need & M$ will detect them as being 100% genuine.

Let your conscience be your guide.