Single User License?

Hi Aram,

According to the 'Single User License Agreement' (of which a copy should come with the software when you purchase it), says that it is only allowed to be installed on one computer at any one time.
This means you can install it on a new machine if you are not still using it on your old one.

And you can reinstall it on your own machine after you have reformatted the hard drive, as long as it is not installed on another machine.

I hope this helps.

hello, forumers. what does a single user license
mean?

It's probably a single computer license, for use on one computer. You can buy a family version of Tiger for use on up to five computers in the same household.

can i not install the same tiger package on another
computer?

The Tiger disks that come with a computer will only install on that model computer. If you buy Tiger it is only licensed for one computer, unless you bought the Family Pack.

if so, a) what will happen if i reformat my drive and
try to reinstall tiger onto the same computer it used
to be on? won't the software take my computer for a
different machine?

It will install with no problems.

or, b) for example, if i sell my

current mac and buy a new one, will i not be able to
install my tiger on the new machine? a bit confused...

When you sell a Mac you should include all the disks that came with it. They contain the Apple Hardware Test and other programs (such as Classic) that are not in the retail Tiger package. The new owner will need these, and it is very hard to get new copies. If you bought Tiger separately, you can keep it for your own use on another computer if you erase it from the computer you are selling. This would only be useful if you are getting a used computer, since a new Mac will come with disks containing Tiger. If you are buying a new computer, you can include the old Tiger disk with the old computer, which will make it more valuable, so you may be able to sell it for more money.

Sorry Aram,

I cannot say whether it is technically possible to install it on two machines (or drives) at once.
I would guess it is, but I cannot say if Apple would know if you were using the one copy on two machines.
My advice would be to keep safe and follow the advice of the user's agreement. As for having it on an external drive maybe someone else here can say whether that is legally possible. Certainly I would say it is technically possible.

Sorry can't be of more help, anyone else?

It is more of a legal issue than a technical one. As such, the license agreement should be your guide since it includes all the details.
http://images.apple.com/legal/sla/macosx1044.pdf

The legal answer to your question is right at the beginning - section 2.

As stated previously though, any new computer purchased will come with the latest version of the OS. If you buy an Intel Mac you won't be able to install Panther or anything earlier and you'll already have Tiger pre-installed and on the Software Restore discs, so there's really no reason to hold onto the old system.