Using someone's else installation disk w/ my own CD-key.

[Patrick Wolf]

First off I don't want to do anything illegal here, I'm just asking a question.

Three years ago I bought an Alienware system that came with a slightly modified version of WinXP Home (OEM). It of course came with a CD-key. This disk doesn't have some things that a normal XP disk has. The only thing I noticed so far is when I boot from this disk, I can't do a Repair install of winXP because the option doesn't even exist. And this disk has the Alienware logo imedded into it at certain areas. Who knows what else they changed...

Since I bought my Alienware PC I have upgraded virtually every component in my PC, even the case. Only thing Alienware I have left is the OS, keyboard, and mousepad. I reformatted my HD many, many, many times in past 3 years and used this same disk and CD-key everytime for the install.

Okay, my question is this:

If someone I know burned a copy of their original [normal] WinXP disk and gave it to me to use with the CD-Key I already have, would this work? Is it legal? Would Bill Gates get pissed?

 

[tiap]

Your key will only work with an oem cd, and not necessarily any oem cd. It must have the full i386 home oem folder. Some xp disks shipped with systems have tailored files and will not work with another brand oem key.

 

[Patrick Wolf]

But it wouldn't hurt to try, would it?

 

[Lepard]

Yeah you should just go ahead and try it.

I've been wondering myself about the same thing, because i've been wanting to format my Toshiba laptop for a while now.

 

[Jeff7]

Worst that'll happen: Either it'll just flat out reject the key during install, or else it'll refuse to activate.

 

[Patrick Wolf]

My dad is the one who I'm asking to make a copy of his XP disk for me. He's afraid MS is spying on everyone and will find out he copied his XP disk and gave it to someone, and his CD-key will be deactivated or something.

I think he's paranoid, it's hard to talk to crazy people.

After all, when you buy an OS, your basically just paying for the CD-Key/license, and I already have a legit CD-Key. And the CD-Key isn't geared to work with the only the disk it came with, I don't think.

Someone say something that I can show him [this thread], stating that it's OK to make a copy and give it to me. Nothing bad will happen to him or his computer.

 

[tiap]

As I mentiond previously, your key should work with another oem xp home i386 folder.

1 You can try using his complete disk with his key to get it installed. Once installed, you will have to change the PID. You can search for that on the Microsoft Knowledge base. They allow it and you will have to activate with your cd key.

2 You can install xp with his i386 folder and your key. You will have to activte it.

In all cases, no matter if xp was preactivated for him, you will have to activate xp on your computer and that is how MS assures it is legal.

 

[elendil850]

Microsoft tracks Windows XP software by CD-Key, not by the CD-Rom disk.

It is not illegal to copy the disk and give it to someone, but it IS illegal to use a single CD-Key on multiple computers.

 

[Patrick Wolf]

Thank You. Maybe this thread will convince my dad he should listen to me more often.

"Hi, dad."

 

[kylef]

Note that the Windows license that came with your Alienware is only good for that PC. OEM licenses are discounted specifically because they are tied to a single PC and cannot be transferred.

IANAL, but I'm sure there is a definition for what constitutes a "new PC". Upgrades are one thing, but if you have replaced every component in your PC except for your keyboard and mouse, you are treading dangerously close to a new computer.

I haven't read the OEM license as it applies to what exactly defines a "new PC" vs. "upgrades", but you should probably go and read that section...

Just FYI. I don't particularly like the OEM license rules, but those are the rules.

 

[Patrick Wolf]

It says on my Alienware XP disk: "For Distripution Only with a New PC" at the bottom, and at the top it says:

ALIENWARE
Product Recovery CD-ROM

When I pop the disk in it comes up with the "Welcome to Microsoft Windows XP". The files and everything on the disk look like a regular XP disk with the exception of the Alienware logo. My system also came with a seperate "Alienware Master Boot Disk" which contains all that special Alienware crap that was loaded onto the computer when they shipped it to me, the disk has since been destroyed and resides at dump somewhere.

When my new HD comes, this computer will finally be built completely by me. I want to break my tie with Alienware, the only way to completely do that is a different installation of XP.

What you mean by IANAL?

BTW, my I386 folder on the XP disk has 6,109 files and 113 folders.

 

[kylef]

IANAL = I am not a lawyer

When PC manufacturers bundle a copy of Windows with hardware, the license is known as an "OEM" license. OEM = "original equipment manufacturer". These licenses nearly always contain the phrase "For distribution only with a new PC."

Microsoft discounts licenses of Windows to OEM vendors dramatically over retail copies because OEM vendors must support that copy of Windows in full. (By contrast, retail versions of Windows come with a predetermined number of free support calls directly to Microsoft.) But these discounted licenses are legally restricted to the lifespan of the computer. If the computer is resold or recycled, the license goes with it.

"Hardware upgrades" however beg the question: what constitutes a "new" PC that would necessitate a new license?

Well, I found this document from the Microsoft site which explains the following:

Generally, you may upgrade or replace all of the hardware components on your computer and maintain the license for the original Microsoft OEM operating system software, with the exception of an upgrade or replacement of the motherboard. An upgrade of the motherboard is considered to result in a "new personal computer." Microsoft OEM operating system software cannot be transferred from one computer to another. Therefore, if the motherboard is upgraded or replaced for reasons other than a defect then a new computer has been created, the original license expires, and a new full operating system license (not upgrade) is required.

So it seems that Microsoft draws the line at motherboard upgrades "for reasons other than a defect."

I hope that answers all your questions. For what it's worth, I sincerely appreciate your attempt to be honest by asking whether your licensing situation is appropriate or not. Most people would not ask.

 

[oldman420]

the CD you are using on the alien ware is a specially designed one with specific drivers for the alien ware box.
I would assume that as such the CD key is licensed to the original setup with the original hardware and would not be legal esp if you have replaced the MB or CPU.

 

[Aarondeep]

If your copy installs but wont activate (could easily happen) You could always call microsoft and explain to them that your previous motherboard had died and you had replaced the components of your computer etc etc.... I have done this with OEM copies of windows that would not activate. (I think there is a limit to the number of times you can activate XP with a new hardware signature)

 

[JSFLY]

Originally posted by: Patrick Wolf


Since I bought my Alienware PC I have upgraded virtually every component in my PC, even the case. Only thing Alienware I have left is the OS, keyboard, and mousepad.

LOL

had to laugh at that one

 

[Patrick Wolf]

Originally posted by: aarondeep
If your copy installs but wont activate (could easily happen) You could always call microsoft and explain to them that your previous motherboard had died and you had replaced the components of your computer etc etc.... I have done this with OEM copies of windows that would not activate. (I think there is a limit to the number of times you can activate XP with a new hardware signature)

I have installed XP using my Alienware disk over 25 times since I first got it. (I messed up computer an awful lot and had to reformat many times) One day when I tried to activate it it says I reached the limit (25 activations) and had to call this number and someone would give me a key to activate windows, I've had to do this about 3-4 times now. I think they only asked me once why I'm installing it again, I just said I reformatted my HD - the truth.

I may have to call everytime now when I try to activate Windows with this same CD-key.

And it didn't matter at all when I changed any of my hardware, even the motherboard, it still let me activate windows everytime. I remember one time I changed a bunch of hardware and started up Windows, I got a message that said significant hardware changes detected, please re-activate windows, and I simply entered my same CD-Key again - no problems.

 

[bsobel]

I may have to call everytime now when I try to activate Windows with this same CD-key.

If you don't reinstall for a couple month (120 days I think) you should be able to go back to doing it online.

Bill

 

[wfox45]

:disgust: Ok Son! This your paranoid Dad OH! and lets not forget Crazy. First off the fine for software piracy can be as much as $100.000 per copy. Thats a far cry from $85.00 for a new full install of Windows XP Home Edition at eWiz, last checked. Also from what I understand from some of the comments here and what I have read elsware. Is that Microsoft is able to connect its product keys to the motherboard specific model and/or serial/manufactures codes or other such hardware configurations, once installed. This technolagy came out with introduction of Windows XP. This helps them track and understand software piracy more closely. Also as a computer builder and reseller I am not about to take chances with a major Microsoft head courters just 45 miles away. Also if you don't think big brother (Microsoft) is watching try using Windows 2000 and product key in differant computers. Windows updates will not support these systems, through there newly developed validation program. My advise to everyone who wants to save a buck ask yourself is it worth the chance?

 

[wfox45]

Hi just a note. I'm reading the writing on my Windows XP Home edition with service pack 2. It reads "Do not lend or make illegal copies of this software".

 

[kylef]

Originally posted by: wfox45
:disgust: Ok Son! This your paranoid Dad OH! and lets not forget Crazy. First off the fine for software piracy can be as much as $100.000 per copy. Thats a far cry from $85.00 for a new full install of Windows XP Home Edition at eWiz, last checked.

I think he means $100,000. Although, I think it is rare that individuals are prosecuted for singular offenses.

It would be possible to track hardware changes when product activation occurs, but to my knowledge Microsoft does not track hardware info at activation. This does not mean this will always be the case.

However, when you sign up for Windows Update downloads later on, Microsoft will ask you to run the "Genuine Advantage" program which may in fact check this type of harware information. In order to download non-critical updates from Windows Update, the Genuine Advantage program must pass from what I understand. (Critical updates, on the other hand, are always available no matter whether the Genuine Advantage program passes.)

It is never a good idea in my opinion to rely on what is *currently* being checked and/or enforced.

 

[mechBgon]

Patrick Wolf since your license is being used on a different motherboard than it was licensed to, it looks like you've busted your license agreement, regardless of whether Microsoft is accepting your reasons for reactivation. If you want to be legally compliant, you could get a new license.

I'd suggest a retail license, not OEM, so that you can re-use it with new motherboards, over and over, without breaking your compliance. Yeah, they cost more... but you said you don't want to do anything illegal, so it might be cheaper in the long run than buying OEM WinXP Home over and over as you get new motherboards.

HTH

 

[Patrick Wolf]

Originally posted by: mechBgon
Patrick Wolf since your license is being used on a different motherboard than it was licensed to, it looks like you've busted your license agreement, regardless of whether Microsoft is accepting your reasons for reactivation. If you want to be legally compliant, you could get a new license.

I'd suggest a retail license, not OEM, so that you can re-use it with new motherboards, over and over, without breaking your compliance. Yeah, they cost more... but you said you don't want to do anything illegal, so it might be cheaper in the long run than buying OEM WinXP Home over and over as you get new motherboards.

HTH

Alienware computers are said to be (says on their website) Fully Upgradably, meaning I can install any new hardware I want, or I could send it in for upgrades.

So they must assume that if you upgraded your motherboard, they would need to give you an XP installation that will be able to be activated with the new hardware. Which mine can, and has many times.

My license is not assigned to my motherboard, the motherboard that came with my Alienware PC, was not a an Alienware motherboard, it was a regular ASUS P4XXX ( can't remember the model).

 

[Patrick Wolf]

Originally posted by: wfox45
Hi just a note. I'm reading the writing on my Windows XP Home edition with service pack 2. It reads "Do not lend or make illegal copies of this software".

Welcome to Anandtech!, Dad.

That's "illegal" copies, "Do not lend illegal copies." "Do not make illegal copies." I don't know if the copy would be considered illegal. If it's not activated in 30 days it won't allow you to continue using Windows, however, I do have my own CD-Key, and if my CD-Key doesn't work you can have the copy back. No reason to keep it if doesn't work.

 

[wfox45]

Who knows but microsoft. Maybe when you installed your original Allienware enhanced operating system it then assigned itself to that motherboard? If anyone knows for sure it would be the techs at microsoft. They provide our operating systems they hold all the cards and are smarter then us and are getting smarter. They are not anyone to mess with.

 

[Patrick Wolf]

So anyone think my dad will get in trouble for giving me a copy? I wouldn't care if it is illegal, because I have my own CD-key, which is what really matters.