Why are windows serial stickers always broken?

V4NT0M · 30 Jan 2009 at 13:11

Like this;

Nanobot · 30 Jan 2009 at 13:13

Cant say I have ever noticed. Has someone gone and tested the security foil on yours like a banknote test?

reflux · 30 Jan 2009 at 13:16

Yeah I noticed that as well. The one on my laptop looks like someone's taken a lighter to it.

Flukester · 30 Jan 2009 at 13:23

it's part of the design, Microsoft wear away the paper to expose the foil strip so you can tell it's genuine. (or at least more chance it is)

there are also small cuts on the edges to stop you moving the OEM license to another machine (which is illegal), but they can be moved with a small sharp blade

, not that you should be as OEM licensing states the license is to be fixed to a machine forever

Vertigo · 30 Jan 2009 at 15:51

Yep, it's designed that way to make it harder to remove.

jvowles · 30 Jan 2009 at 16:09

Exactly it will split on removal, and the foil demonstrates its authentic...ish

SB118 · 30 Jan 2009 at 16:27

Can't see what you're on about, have you got a picture with better focus?

ticklemebougy · 30 Jan 2009 at 16:30

its so the foil shows so you can tell its autentic, i think but my college's computers and my laptop stickers aren't broken.

eXor · 30 Jan 2009 at 16:46

Flukester said:
not that you should be as OEM licensing states the license is to be fixed to a machine forever

Fire and brimstone if you don't stick it on?

theheyes · 30 Jan 2009 at 17:00

At least its readable. I get a lot of laptops in where the license code is partially or completely worn away.

tom_e · 30 Jan 2009 at 17:04

The one on the underside of my laptop is going the same way its almost totally worn through

PhillyDee · 30 Jan 2009 at 17:15

I hate these stickers. Purely because you can change cases. They should really be stuck to the motherboard . . . . .

V4NT0M · 30 Jan 2009 at 17:44

SB118 said:
Can't see what you're on about, have you got a picture with better focus?

I'll take another one with my camera in a bit...

:rolleyes:

Fillado · 30 Jan 2009 at 18:54

eXor said:
Fire and brimstone if you don't stick it on?

I'm sure not spoiling my MacBook by putting my Vista OEM sticker on it

Kennysevenfold · 30 Jan 2009 at 21:48

jvowles said:
Exactly it will split on removal, and the foil demonstrates its authentic...ish

+1

yeah something to do with legit copys and crap like that lol

RobH · 30 Jan 2009 at 22:47

Fillado said:
I'm sure not spoiling my MacBook by putting my Vista OEM sticker on it

Same here, I stuck it under the battery.

thecremeegg · 30 Jan 2009 at 22:54

Flukester said:
there are also small cuts on the edges to stop you moving the OEM license to another machine (which is illegal)

Is it actually illegal though, or just against the EULA?

Memphis · 30 Jan 2009 at 23:24

Illegal.

J.B · 31 Jan 2009 at 01:36

thecremeegg said:
Is it actually illegal though, or just against the EULA?

Well technically when you agree to the EULA you are entering a contract, so breaking that contract is illegal.

Ross1234 · 31 Jan 2009 at 01:40

Thats why you keep the sticker not stuck on until the time comes for someone to check it