Legal to download an .iso of XP?

Depends entirely on how you plan on downloading.

If you have MSDNAA access, then you can legally download an ISO of it. Other than that, and maybe MSDN access as far as I am aware, it is not legal.

InvG
 
Having a key doesn't really mean anything. Do you have a valid licence?

If you do have a valid licence, then it's probably in a moral grey area, but I imagine it would still end up being considered illegal due to something like unauthorised copying/distribution of Windows software. Bit difficult to advise other solutions without more details - where did you get your key from?
 
Interesting thought.

I would say that while its not specifically written down anywhere that actually downloading an ISO is in itself illegal, the person uploading it it most certainly is breaking a number of laws. You have a valid Licence and that pretty much covers you and your rights to try to obtain a new copy of your disk... The software in itself is in Microsofts own EULA a free thing and its the licence that you are paying for, or rather the rights to use the software.

So, given that you do have the licence, then trying to download the software for that licence for legal and honest reasons are, in my eyes, a completely fair thing to do.

You will never get done for such an act, and the most that the authorities will make you do, is buy a licence, and since you already have one, its case closed before its opened.
 
Vinni3 said:
Yeah, I have a valid licence. I was just also wondering if could use the OEM key stuck on to my Compaq (the one that I need the disk for).
Click to expand...

:confused:

The Licence (which includes the key) on the Compaq, is for the Compaq, and most likely a Compaq OEM distribution of Windows, so by the sounds of what you are planning. No, it is not legal at all.

InvG
 
Correct me if I am wrong here, but dont Compaq systems need their own Install CDs?

Kind of Like a lot of NEC Based PCs dont install properly unless its with an NEC CD?
 
FatRakoon said:
Correct me if I am wrong here, but dont Compaq systems need their own Install CDs?

Kind of Like a lot of NEC Based PCs dont install properly unless its with an NEC CD?
Click to expand...

Is that Compaq in particular or just all OEMs in general? I know that if you use an original Dell CD on a Dell laptop or desktop, no activation is required. Other discs can be used but require activation. You can also use the Dell XP CD on other pcs but theyll require activation.
 
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