Is it legal to sell an computer w/ OS preloaded?

[Lmronby]

I see computers for sale that say "Win 9x preloaded" Is it legal to sell a computer with an OS loaded without the original liscence? My guess is most of these people load the OS and keep the disk/liscence for themselves.

 

[spanky]

i think preloaded means the cab files are on the hd. u should still get the license. maybe no media tho. with dell/compaq/etc... now they no longer give out windows cd's along with preloading the OS... they just give restore cd's.

 

[notfred]

You have to sell it with the license, you can't keep the CD and sell the machine with windows on it.

 

[Lmronby]

I'm seeing these for sale from people advertising in the local paper and such. Sometimes on ebay too.

 

[hans007]

the media isnt important. its the license that is.

 

[Frosty3799]

Someone i know picked up a computer that ahd a complete install of win98se, but when you booted you had to tpye in the prduct key. i thought that was pretty cool, cause htat way you dont have to waste your time installing, but on the other hand still need to purchase to get the license

Josh

 

[Evadman]

<< the media isnt important. its the license that is. >>

 

[spanky]

<< Someone i know picked up a computer that ahd a complete install of win98se, but when you booted you had to tpye in the prduct key. i thought that was pretty cool, cause htat way you dont have to waste your time installing, but on the other hand still need to purchase to get the license

Josh >>



oh yeah, i read about that once... u have to put the product key in some inf file... msinfo.inf? msbatch.inf? i forgot. anyone know?

 

[FatMan42]

For it to be legal, they need to comply with their OEM license terms. That includes minor details such as using each CD-key for only the licensed number of times (mostly once only) and that they have to give you both the install media (i.e. CD/DVD-rom or a HD-partition) and the Certificate of Authenticity. If not, then it's "preloading" and is probably illegal.

 

[AzNmAnJLH]

too vague a question....... but i'll assume you meant microsoft or mac

linux is free....

 

[Geekbabe]

no license ? it isn't going out the door with anything besides a format

 

[Smolek]

<< the media isnt important. its the license that is. >>

 

[b0mbrman]

<< Someone i know picked up a computer that ahd a complete install of win98se, but when you booted you had to tpye in the prduct key. i thought that was pretty cool, cause htat way you dont have to waste your time installing, but on the other hand still need to purchase to get the license
Josh >>


Yeah...that's probably the best way