cloning hd question

I have 2 computers who's model numbers are nearly identical. One came with more ram and a different version of xp, but everything else appears to be the same. I legally own 2 copies of xp on these computers. If I wanted to clone the drive from one of the computers that had the trimmed down version of xp that I prefer and I installed it into the second computer, would microsoft somehow detect this and shut one of the computers down?

 

It just occured to me that I should be able to test this by actually putting the hd with the prefered version of xp into the second computer and see if I get any alert messages when checking ms's site for updates. If I don't get any messages saying my version of xp isn't valid, the cloning should work out okay, yes?

 

Under the EULA, an OEM OS cannot be moved to another computer. However, if you did move it I dont see why it would not work.

Not sure about messages but Bill Gates might call you.

 

I'd clone it first...I've seen cases where installing a drive with Windows from one machine to another kill the original install so it doesn't work in either.

Most of the time it just blue screens, but every once in a blue moon it takes the OS install with it

 

Usually the OS detects when you swap out motherboards on it like that. Sometimes it doesn't though. Like the earlier post said, what you are doing is against the EULA. Plus the product keys are going to be duplicates and that's a tougher problem to get around.