Vista Licencing Terms

Burnsy2023 · 22 Nov 2006 at 21:09

Interesting article on Elreg:

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2006/11/22/vista_eula_worries/

Now, I will say, it is a little sensationalist and it is based on US law not UK, so how much is applicable is not clear. However, it does bring up some interesting points about Microsoft's ability to disable your OS if you fail a Genuine Advantage Validation.

I think MS are pushing their luck with their WGA programme and this may cause some hassle at a later date from impending litigation.

Views?

Burnsy

Ronaldo · 22 Nov 2006 at 22:16

Ok just read this and i dunno *** to say, well i do but i am not allow on this forums.

Now if this is 100% true then more ppl can understand why there is SoOOO many ppl who are ANTI-MS.

VeNT · 22 Nov 2006 at 22:34

thing is, I've seen 100% legit PCs (that I've installed from OEM CDs from reputable retailers) show as "illegal" with WGA software. I've seen dells do it too. its a pain as it is. but imagine if all of a sudden your PCs stopped you using them!
step too far imo and MS arn't going to make any friends with this.
the whole EULA thing is a sham anyway, you've paid for the software, you try taking it back to the shop! they will tell you they won't take it back 99% of the time

Burnsy2023 · 22 Nov 2006 at 22:37

VeNT said:
the whole EULA thing is a sham anyway, you've paid for the software, you try taking it back to the shop! they will tell you they won't take it back 99% of the time

If the product doesn't pass the WGA test, then your issue is purely with MS. If you don't agree with the EULA on install I'd get my money back from the retailer, even if I had to go to the small claims court.

By no means am I anti-MS, but all rights I'm to the contrary, but i just feel like their pushing their luck. XP licencing was strict but I could understand the initiative, but the faith has been lost between customer and MS in the Vista EULA. At the end of the day it won't really affect the pirate that much, just the lagitimate user.

Burnsy

bledd · 22 Nov 2006 at 22:42

burnsy2023 said:
If the product doesn't pass the WGA test, then your issue is purely with MS. If you don't agree with the EULA on install I'd get my money back from the retailer, even if I had to go to the small claims court.

By no means am I anti-MS, but all rights I'm the the contrary, but i just feel like their pushing their luck. XP licencing was strict but I could understand the initiative, but the faith has been lost between customer and MS in the Vista EULA. Ath the end of the day it won't really affect the pirate that much, just the lagitimate user.

Burnsy

couldn't agree more, having to sort out activation each time you format can be a pain, i format a lot so it becomes tempting to just use a corp copy

meths · 25 Nov 2006 at 14:40

This might be a dumb question but would you have to reactivate the software if you took an image of your first clean install and activation and used that when you wanted a fresh start?

Burnsy2023 · 25 Nov 2006 at 15:45

Meths said:
This might be a dumb question but would you have to reactivate the software if you took an image of your first clean install and activation and used that when you wanted a fresh start?

No You wouldn't need to reactivate.

Burnsy

-Mike- · 25 Nov 2006 at 17:19

Burnsy2023 · 25 Nov 2006 at 17:54

-Mike- said:

Burnsy

Macro · 25 Nov 2006 at 19:05

bledd. said:
couldn't agree more, having to sort out activation each time you format can be a pain, i format a lot so it becomes tempting to just use a corp copy

Really? surely it's just a case of hitting the "activate Windows" button once you have internet connectivity and takes all of 20 seconds.

Rebelius · 25 Nov 2006 at 19:38

Athanor said:
Really? surely it's just a case of hitting the "activate Windows" button once you have internet connectivity and takes all of 20 seconds.

only the first 5 times, then you have to phone up and convince them you've got a legal copy or something.

should just say something like "yeah, i keep having to format, i'm testing out my new virus and it's going pretty well"

Macro · 26 Nov 2006 at 21:45

I didn't think that was the case for a simple reformat, only if you made a particular change in combination of hardware.

Burnsy2023 · 26 Nov 2006 at 21:49

Athanor said:
I didn't think that was the case for a simple reformat, only if you made a particular change in combination of hardware.

Formatting requires activation even if the hardware configuration hasn't changed.

Burnsy

Macro · 28 Nov 2006 at 01:56

Yup, I know that, but that just requires the "press the button" activation. I thought having to phone customer services was only needed if you broke the certain amount of changed hardware rule.....

Freakish_05 · 28 Nov 2006 at 07:25

Those of us with OEM copies can only activate it online once

then we have to speak to an "outsourced"

call centre to get our product activated.

I agree that Microsoft has the right to protect its assets by using the WGA initiative but it was cracked so easily on XP which imo is why they've gone and beefed up the EULA in Vista.

Personally, I think they've gone too far this time. Your computer submits loads of information to Microsoft even after activatation. Call me paranoid but I really don't like the 'big brother' feeling that I get from using XP! Vista is going to be like bing part of a massive corportate organisation with Bill Gates as head admin :eek:

Personally, I'm already migrating my server box over to linux. The laptop and gaming rig are to follow within the next couple of weeks. Granted that Linux isn't the easiest O/S to use, but at least no one will turn off my PC after 14 days because my hostname is invalid

My 2 cents.

prescott28 · 28 Nov 2006 at 09:21

Is there any good reason to move to Vista? Currently I can do all I need on XP and see no need to move. If enough people feel the same, M$ might even have to modify its terms.

leaskovski · 28 Nov 2006 at 09:31

I thought once you activate your pc the first time, it creates a 'finger print' of your pcs hardware. Thus if you format and then reinstall and the hardware has not changed, then when when you go to activate online, it works okay. Its only if the finger print (hardware) has changed too much that it tells you to call them up!? :confused:

sja360 · 28 Nov 2006 at 12:15

i tend to find that when it comes to re-activating my xp home oem it sometimes works first time online and other times i have to phone up saying i've re-formatted or changed some hardware ^^

Roland0 · 28 Nov 2006 at 12:55

prescott28 said:
Is there any good reason to move to Vista? Currently I can do all I need on XP and see no need to move. If enough people feel the same, M$ might even have to modify its terms.

Theyll make it so u 'have' to get it with all the new features like D3D10 etc