Fixing a Pirate Computer

[Raizinman]

My son is into computers and has 5 computers in his room (3 desktops and 2 laptops). Unfortunately, he has a non-legal version of XP on all his computers. I told him that this needs to be corrected and I would assist. My question is: What is Microsofts policy on XP for putting it on more than one machine? He mainly uses only 2 machines (1 desktop and 1 laptop). If I purchase one version of XP or Vista, how many machines can that be put on? What is microsofts policy on their license?

 

[lxskllr]

1 machine per license with any version of Windows. Why not get 1 copy of Vista, then run Linux on the other machines. If he's into computers, he should want to try out other O/Ss also.

 

[bsobel]

Originally posted by: Raizinman
My son is into computers and has 5 computers in his room (3 desktops and 2 laptops). Unfortunately, he has a non-legal version of XP on all his computers. I told him that this needs to be corrected and I would assist. My question is: What is Microsofts policy on XP for putting it on more than one machine? He mainly uses only 2 machines (1 desktop and 1 laptop). If I purchase one version of XP or Vista, how many machines can that be put on? What is microsofts policy on their license?

I license per machine is required.

 

[darkrisen2003]

not entirely true. They due sell bulk liceses to users. Not sure if they would sell a bulk license for only 6 machines but I know I have seen them come in 10 user counts.

 

[bsobel]

Originally posted by: darkrisen2003
not entirely true. They due sell bulk liceses to users. Not sure if they would sell a bulk license for only 6 machines but I know I have seen them come in 10 user counts.

:roll: Every response said he needed one license per computer, your pointing out that some people sell 6 and 10 license packs. Great, he still needs one of those licenses per machine.

 

[postmortemIA]

well i don't want to be an ass either, but how do you get laptop without operating system? if it was anything OEM it will have XP/Vista/2000 sticker on it with SN

 

[Cogman]

Originally posted by: postmortemIA
well i don't want to be an ass either, but how do you get laptop without operating system? if it was anything OEM it will have XP/Vista/2000 sticker on it with SN

Kind of my question as well. The only laptops I know of without a windows license attached to them are Mac based, or Linux based. And those are few and far between.

My guess would be that the license was for Win98 or something, in which case we are talking about an old laptop (one which I wouldn't put vista on)

 

[sourceninja]

My solution, ebay 6 computers, use that cash to buy one good computer with vista.

 

[Phynaz]

Look into the family license program.

 

[VirtualLarry]

I'm surprised to hear that the laptops aren't licensed. I didn't think that you could buy a laptop without a legal OS license included. Do they have COA stickers on them?

 

[pcgeek11]

OCZ sells bare bone notebooks.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...0773&SpeTabStoreType=1

 

[silverpig]

Uh, aren't you allowed to have 1 licensed copy for a desktop and laptop? That is, can't you put the same copy on your desktop and laptop and have it covered with 1 key?

edit: seems not... It appears this applies to Office though.

 

[postmortemIA]

Originally posted by: silverpig
Uh, aren't you allowed to have 1 licensed copy for a desktop and laptop? That is, can't you put the same copy on your desktop and laptop and have it covered with 1 key?

edit: seems not... It appears this applies to Office though.

yep., that is only for office and lots of other software.

 

[Blazer]

is your son in school, or attending class's anywhere, check out Dreamspark.

https://www.dreamspark.com/HighSchool/Default.aspx

 

[corkyg]

Think about a subscription to Microsoft Technet. That will cost $350 for the first year, but it allows you to legally download the ISO files for XP, Vista, and all major applications along with the keys to legally install and use them. Each can be installed on up to 10 machines. It really would be a bargain for your son. Example, XP Pro or Vista on 6 machines legally plus Office 2007 Pro x 6 all for #350. Do the math - works out to about #29 and change per program per machine.

Technet

 

[VirtualLarry]

Originally posted by: corkyg
Think about a subscription to Microsoft Technet.
(...)
Example, XP Pro or Vista on 6 machines legally plus Office 2007 Pro x 6 all for #350. Do the math - works out to about #29 and change per program per machine per year.

Fixed.

 

[lxskllr]

Originally posted by: VirtualLarry

Originally posted by: corkyg
Think about a subscription to Microsoft Technet.
(...)
Example, XP Pro or Vista on 6 machines legally plus Office 2007 Pro x 6 all for #350. Do the math - works out to about #29 and change per program per machine per year.

Fixed.

I don't think the licenses expire though. You only need 1 year to get your machines outfitted, then your good thereafter as I understand it.

 

[corkyg]

Originally posted by: lxskllr
I don't think the licenses expire though. You only need 1 year to get your machines outfitted, then your good thereafter as I understand it.

That is exactly correct. All the yearly fee does is entitle you to keep downloading new stuff. The second year renewal is only $250 - but, none of the existing licensed and activated programs expire. Mine are on the end of their second year.

 

[stlcardinals]

I don't think I would recommend Technet to someone asking about fixing some computers with illegal versions of Windows. Technet provides evalutation licenses for evaluation use only. Plus the $350 version is Single-user only, if he and his son were going to use it, they would need the higher priced version.

 

[ayaboy]

all i can advice is it needs a license OS if you want it to be legal or you can take the advice of MR. lxskllr his right your son could try out some other O/ss if he wants it too. ^_^

 

[Fox5]

Microsoft offers discounted OS packs.
Also, unless he built all the computers himself, they should come with Microsoft OSes.

Depending on what he uses them for, he should consider putting Linux on them. Ubuntu is serving very well as a Windows/Mac alternative at this point, and so long as it has drivers for all the hardware (and out of the box it has a larger driver base than windows or osx) will generally set itself up with almost no user interaction.

 

[WT]

Keep in mind the laptops were probably upgraded to XP from its previous OS, probably W2k, so it isn't that the laptops didn't have an OS on them, it was simply updated to an OS that doesn't match the COA sticker.