I have done a very bad thing....

EffBee · 13 Dec 2006 at 21:34

I have fed the evil empire by buying a "Microsoft XP PRO OEM Licence" :eek:

Please don't start a big discussion in this thread about the evils of microsoft and its licencing policies in this thread. I would just like to know from a practical day to day point of view whether I understand what I have done.

I am installing the licence on my son's computer that I am about to assemble from the component level.

I believe: The licence is not transferable. I think that microsoft regards the motherboard as a the computer. Therefore the licence follows the motherboard and the other hardware can be swapped around as required subject to telephone calls to the activation centre if the software suddenly decides its running on a new computer due hardware profile changes.

Replacement of a faulty motherboard with an identical model does not require a new licence. Replacement of a motheroard with any different model of motherboard requires a new licence.

I need to keep EVERYTHING that is in the OEM package. I need to keep the invoice it was bought on.

The licence is not time limited.

I will get no support from Microsoft for the product.

One thing I don't understand is whether the mobo is in some way uniquely identified. That is to say, without reactivation, if for the sake of argument I built the PC, installed the OS and activated it then replaced the MOBO with an identical one would the policing software know?

Thanks in advance.

I will re-read the licencing agreement that came with my OEM copy but it makes my head spin.

EDIT: After readying the stuff in the sticky in this forum I am a little confused about the implications of being "licenced" vs "able to activate". I am not out to pull a fast one on anybody but if I have bought the licence with my hard earned cash and I only use it on one PC and it activates I am happy. Why should I care whether I am officially licenced according to Microsoft's ever changing and restrictive legal nonsense. No court in the land would ever convict an honest person running one PC satisfying most but not quite all of Microsoft's conditions.

Burnsy2023 · 13 Dec 2006 at 22:26

EffBee said:
Replacement of a faulty motherboard with an identical model does not require a new licence. Replacement of a motheroard with any different model of motherboard requires a new licence.

One thing I don't understand is whether the mobo is in some way uniquely identified. That is to say, without reactivation, if for the sake of argument I built the PC, installed the OS and activated it then replaced the MOBO with an identical one would the policing software know?

As for replacing a MB, it is a grey area. It is supposed to be under a 'warrenty claim' from a manufacturer and therefore any replacement you get will be valid.

And yes, they can generally tell for an onboard NIC mac adress or other ID features.

EffBee said:
EDIT: After readying the stuff in the sticky in this forum I am a little confused about the implications of being "licenced" vs "able to activate". I am not out to pull a fast one on anybody but if I have bought the licence with my hard earned cash and I only use it on one PC and it activates I am happy. Why should I care whether I am officially licenced according to Microsoft's ever changing and restrictive legal nonsense. No court in the land would ever convict an honest person running one PC satisfying most but not quite all of Microsoft's conditions.

My god, someone with initiative, so rare on this here forums (it's unusual for people to read the sticky)

Basically the points I was supposed to get across is that you may be able to activate but this cannot enusre total adherement to the EULA. You are right about legal action being highly unlikely but some people have a very strict moral conscience and I am trying to inform them of what will invalidate theit licence. Also, business users need to be aware of the implications as they may well be sued by MS.

I'll be honest, you have a decent enough understanding of the EULA to know what is and isn't allowed and I wouldn't worry about it

Burnsy

Reality Bites · 15 Dec 2006 at 08:39

didn't think xp pro needed activation?

i've installed my copy of xp pro on several computers (not at once i might add).

zetec452 · 15 Dec 2006 at 09:02

Reality Bites said:
didn't think xp pro needed activation?

i've installed my copy of xp pro on several computers (not at once i might add).

Well done. You've admitted on a public forum you have illegally used your software on other pcs.

XP is generally for ONE pc and should require activation every time unless you have a cracked, pirate copy, or business licensed version.

t31os · 15 Dec 2006 at 09:20

If MS decided to sue every person that broke areas of the EULA, wether it be those using it more then 1 PC (2, 3, 4 or maybe more) or someone who sneakily used the same disk after changing mobo i'd bet we have a lot of court cases daily purely for it.

If your PC fails, ie..... mobo dies and you change it for another model its just tosh to think you should just chuck away your disk and start again, EULA or not.

Anyway as the OP said, lets not turn this thread into an anti-ms or xp debate.

If you have to re-activate, when you ring tell them the HDD failed, they won't know any different...... you could even say the boot sector became corrupted and you had to reinstall... either way, they don't know and have no way to know (until you tell them) what failed (or caused) you to reinstall again. So really the EULA relies on your honesty when re-activating. Its up to you wether you believe you should honor that totally or not.

Reality Bites · 15 Dec 2006 at 11:57

JonRohan said:
Well done. You've admitted on a public forum you have illegally used your software on other pcs.

XP is generally for ONE pc and should require activation every time unless you have a cracked, pirate copy, or business licensed version.

Business provided copy yes....so, i've not admitted anything or done anything illigal?! :rolleyes:

zetec452 · 15 Dec 2006 at 12:15

Reality Bites said:
Business provided copy yes....so, i've not admitted anything or done anything illigal?!

Now that would depend on your agreement with MS.

My statement was rather tounge and cheek hence the

. But yes, lets not turn it into a naughty thread.

.

Burnsy2023 · 15 Dec 2006 at 12:17

JonRohan said:
Now that would depend on your agreement with MS.

My statement was rather tounge and cheek hence the . But yes, lets not turn it into a naughty thread. .

And what you've done with the provided software.

Burnsy

Reality Bites · 15 Dec 2006 at 12:29

ok ok....my agreement with MS is a good and honest one. I've not done anything i shouldn't have with the software.

anyway....back to the OT.