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Originally posted by Lionclaw
Hmm... I've got win xp pro (the same copy) on my laptop and on my desktop. Never had to call anyone, never had to register.
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I would guess you've got a corporate copy that uses a "Volume Licensing Key."
Microsoft designed those for system administrators. At my office, for example, we installed XP Pro on nearly 500 computers when we did the rollout. It would have been an unbelievable pain to "activate" every one of those computers. Instead, corporate purchasers get a "Volume Licensing Key" that works just like a normal serial number on compatible versions of XP Pro.
If you purchased XP Home or XP Pro yourself in an individual package, you are required to "activate" the OS by contacting Microsoft (via Internet or phone) within a set period of time (30 days, I believe) or it will stop functioning.
As for the Mobile Windows 2003 upgrade, I would be surprised if there is any similar scheme employed by Microsoft. Since everyone has to get their upgrade for a specific device (unlike Windows XP which can be used on any PC) there is some minute degree of built-in protection.
Either way, anyone interested in the longevity of the PocketPC platform should purchase a legal copy for every device they intend to upgrade. Your money shows continued financial viability for the operating system and the platform as a whole.