Is this illegal?

digitalwolf · 22 Sep 2008 at 10:36

I have a Windows Media Center PC, with a serial number sticker on the side.

I need to format and re-install but cannot for the life of me find the disc.

Would it be illegal if I downloaded a copy of the OS off the net and then used my CD key?

Mp4 · 22 Sep 2008 at 10:37

i would say NO , as you have a licence for it

Morba · 22 Sep 2008 at 10:43

You pay for the license, not the software for most things these days.

metamorphpwner · 22 Sep 2008 at 10:45

the copy you download can't be an OEM version and needs to be the same service pack. then it should all work. although your ISP mightt not like you downloading it. mine didn't like me getting another copy of vista.

Jest3r · 22 Sep 2008 at 10:45

the licence is the important part, it's the right to install the windows Operating System onto your system....

digitalwolf · 22 Sep 2008 at 10:50

So if the download has SP3 it will not work?

Lamo · 22 Sep 2008 at 10:50

yeah this is cool to do, I did the same thing windows xp last week except mine was an OEM version.

Admiral Huddy · 22 Sep 2008 at 10:55

Yes providing you haven't changed anything that would otherwise constitute as an upgrade.. I have a set of disks I use for when performing re-installs. Providing the customer has they key and the sticker on the side of the case, then that's acceptable.

Ukadder · 22 Sep 2008 at 10:57

I've done it loads of times when restoring PCs for people who don't give me the disks. Just install another copy of WMC and at the time of activating it you'll need to phone up Microsoft and get a proper activation code from them. FYI I've never had problems using different versions (OEM/Retail) than the actual one that the license sticker refers to so I'd not worry to much.

csmager · 22 Sep 2008 at 11:02

metamorphpwner said:
the copy you download can't be an OEM version and needs to be the same service pack. then it should all work. although your ISP mightt not like you downloading it. mine didn't like me getting another copy of vista.

Service Pack should make no difference, and in this case the downloaded copy has to be OEM - firstly, a sticker on the side of the case indicates it's an OEM copy and secondly, MCE was only ever sold as OEM.

BigglesPiP · 22 Sep 2008 at 11:04

All that matters is it's the same edition; Home/Pro/Media centre.

Mr Kingston · 22 Sep 2008 at 11:07

id say its not illegal and go for it

bledd · 22 Sep 2008 at 11:30

BigglesPiP said:
All that matters is it's the same edition; Home/Pro/Media centre.

i think it matters if it's oem/retail too.. (when activating)

Burnsy2023 · 22 Sep 2008 at 11:36

It totally depends on how you download it. If you torrent it and you upload, you are breaking the EULA.

My advice is to get media from a legitimate source. Can you really guarantee that the image isn't riddled with viruses? All media can get replaced direct from MS for a small fee (£7 ish) and then you know you have genuine, safe media to install from.

bledd · 22 Sep 2008 at 11:41

burnsy, quick question

say i have an acer laptop, with xp mce oem on it, no recovery media, hard drive knackered, out of warranty

best action to take?

Tute · 22 Sep 2008 at 11:42

bledd. said:
burnsy, quick question

say i have an acer laptop, with xp mce oem on it, no recovery media, hard drive knackered, out of warranty

best action to take?

Replacement HDD, then get media off Acer or Microsoft.

The HDD should be easy enough to replace if you take off the backplates - i'm pretty sure it will be 2.5" though so watch for that.

Then just get replacement media, it might cost you a small amount but as Burnsy said, it's a better idea than chancing it with a torrent.

Dicehunter · 22 Sep 2008 at 11:43

i would think that you could download it from the microsoft site, send them an email or phone them up, if you provide the serial number im sure theyd send you a replacment disc for a few £

Wiggins · 22 Sep 2008 at 11:46

Burnsy2023 said:
It totally depends on how you download it. If you torrent it and you upload, you are breaking the EULA.

My advice is to get media from a legitimate source. Can you really guarantee that the image isn't riddled with viruses? All media can get replaced direct from MS for a small fee (£7 ish) and then you know you have genuine, safe media to install from.

+1

Many copies of Microsofts OS on torrent sites have had their files modified in some way or another which breaks the EULA.

Safer to get a copy from a reputable dealer or Microsoft themsleves.

Do you not have a Recovery CD or a hidden partition with the recovery console?

Burnsy2023 · 22 Sep 2008 at 11:49

Tute said:
Replacement HDD, then get media off Acer or Microsoft.

The HDD should be easy enough to replace if you take off the backplates - i'm pretty sure it will be 2.5" though so watch for that.

Then just get replacement media, it might cost you a small amount but as Burnsy said, it's a better idea than chancing it with a torrent.

As above or contact Acer and see if they can provide you with any media. It's a bit of a long shot, but I've done similar things with both Dell and Levono and they've always been helpful.

fini · 22 Sep 2008 at 11:53

You guys have no idea what you're talking about. Whether you have a legitimate serial is neither here nor there. When you torrent it you're distributing it and making a copy of it. The question is whether you have authorisation to distribute windows and whether you have authorisation to make copies. Unless Microsoft wrote to you personally and granted you a license to do any of those two then you will have committed copyright infringement and can thus be sued.

I know people are trying to be helpful, but I'm not sure it's that helpful posting your opinion when you don't understand the surrounding law - think how the guy would feel if he got sued because of what you told him?

EDIT: To clarify, it would be the downloading the copy off the internet, which would be unlawful. If you can find a friend who has a copy you can borrow their copy and use your key and that would be completely lawful.