Windows OEM licensing..

[zixxer]

Is it legal/possible to transfer an oem vista key to another pc?


For example: You buy a computer from dell that comes with vista, but install linux on it before ever activating windows - can that key be used/activated on a different pc?

I tried this and it allowed me to activate, but after about 5 days it's not prompting me that my windows key is invalid... 🙁

 

[mechBgon]

Nope, you'd want a retail version of Windows for that.

 

[zixxer]

Grr.... wonder if they'll let me activate it if I call.. I'm gonna try and see...

 

[mechBgon]

You're not entitled to use your Dell's license on a different system, regardless of whether they activate it on the phone or not. If you want to run Vista on your other system, you need to buy it a license of its own. Microsoft's Do & Don't for OEM software:

Don't transfer OEM software from one computer system to another.

OEM software licenses cannot be transferred from one computer system to another, even if the computer system on which it was originally installed is no longer in use.

Since you asked whether it would be legal: it isn't.

 

[mlahatte]

? If you install it and it works and key stays valid, so what. What are they going to do? Come to your house to see if you have it on the correct computer? I hate how MS tries to dominate and control.

 

[mechBgon]

Originally posted by: mlahatte
? If you install it and it works and key stays valid, so what. What are they going to do? Come to your house to see if you have it on the correct computer? I hate how MS tries to dominate and control.

If people weren't violating the license agreement, they wouldn't need to "dominate and control."

I looked into the mirror
proud as I could be
and I saw my pointing finger
pointing back at me...

Be aware that encouraging piracy can earn you a quick trip out of here. 'nuf said.

 

[mlahatte]

Originally posted by: mechBgon

Originally posted by: mlahatte
? If you install it and it works and key stays valid, so what. What are they going to do? Come to your house to see if you have it on the correct computer? I hate how MS tries to dominate and control.

If people weren't violating the license agreement, they wouldn't need to "dominate and control."

I looked into the mirror
proud as I could be
and I saw my pointing finger
pointing back at me...

Be aware that encouraging piracy can earn you a quick trip out of here. 'nuf said.

Piracy? I'm not encouraging that at all. I'm just saying that if you bought it then you should be able to use it on any system you own. But I do agree that people have abused MS over the years. I dont condone that at all. It hurts us all when people do that. Makes the prices higher and the rules tougher.

 

[SilentRunning]

Originally posted by: mlahatte

Originally posted by: mechBgon

Originally posted by: mlahatte
? If you install it and it works and key stays valid, so what. What are they going to do? Come to your house to see if you have it on the correct computer? I hate how MS tries to dominate and control.

If people weren't violating the license agreement, they wouldn't need to "dominate and control."

I looked into the mirror
proud as I could be
and I saw my pointing finger
pointing back at me...

Be aware that encouraging piracy can earn you a quick trip out of here. 'nuf said.

Piracy? I'm not encouraging that at all. I'm just saying that if you bought it then you should be able to use it on any system you own. But I do agree that people have abused MS over the years. I dont condone that at all. It hurts us all when people do that. Makes the prices higher and the rules tougher.

No, if you as the OEM system builder purchased an OEM copy of Windows, you knew that you were getting Windows at a discount with the understanding that it was forever married to the original hardware. If you as a customer were not informed by you the OEM system builder why transfer is not allowed then you the OEM system builder failed at providing you the customer the proper answer to your question. 😕 😀

 

[Rottie]

I am thinking...if the OEM is married to motherboard and then it died can't I get another motherboard of different brand if the orignal motherboard is out of stock? I am not looking to buy another OEM if I decided to keep all of devices/ram/hard drives/cpu.

 

[Mark R]

The OEM software is tied to the motherboard, because OEM software is normally sold with hardware. Under the OEM agreement, the OEM (system builder) takes on all responsibility for supporting the system - compare this to the retail package, where Microsoft takes this responsibility.

In order to protect the OEM against inappropriate support claims, MS restrict the use of the OEM software to the system it was supplied with. If the OEM wants to replace a component, e.g. because of failure, then they are free to do so, and are free to have windows reactivated.

If you built your own system, and the mobo dies, you can replace it with a different mobo - but you will have to call MS and carefully explain that you are the OEM and you are reactivating a windows installation following a warranty repair, on behalf of a customer.

 

[bsobel]

Originally posted by: mlahatte
? If you install it and it works and key stays valid, so what. What are they going to do? Come to your house to see if you have it on the correct computer? I hate how MS tries to dominate and control.

You were given a price discount in return for these restrictions. If you dont like it, but a retail copy and do what you like with it.