WinXp activation

[stars]

You can label it as integrity if you choose. I will not debate our different views about this subject because it would be a waste of time for both of us. I legally purchased every Windows operating system I run, not that it matters.

 

[imported_Ned Flanders]

Hey, I'm happy for the guy - I'm just defending (as are others) what we wrote in this thread.

Fact of the matter is, that license was technically void. MS are under no obligation to give you a replacement one. Luckily they did.

 

[SparkyJJO]

The way I see it, OEM is tied to the hardware it is originally licensed to which MS said is the mobo. If that mobo dies technically the key dies as well, but sometimes MS decides to deactivate the key from the old board and reactivate it to the new board. What the OP did is fine, explained what he wanted and they decided to do it. No problems, because MS could have said "sorry, no go" if they wanted but they decided not to.

Saying "I agree" is yes you agree that the OEM license lives and dies with that hardware it was tied to, but it doesn't say that you can't ask if you could get it transferred. No harm in asking, worst they can say is no 🙂

I have a XP Home COA from a long dead emachines sitting here (bad mobo, surprise surprise!) that I may end up seeing if MS will reactivate it on a different system eventually. Not sure if I'll get around to it or if I'll even really have a use for it as my system already has XP Pro.

 

[John]

Steve, technically you violated the OEM license agreement and I'll explain why. I didn't take time to read all of the replies in this thread so bear with me if I am repeating things. 😛

OEM operating systems cannot be transferred. The OEM license is tied to the original machine that it came preinstalled on, but you can replace the mainboard (only if it fails) with a similar item. Since a "pieced together" is technically a new system, and it's using the OEM product key from an old E Machine, you have in fact transferred it to another system. Some of those product keys were bios locked a while back but I think MS stepped away from those due to customer complaints. I service a lot of systems and I haven't seen a failed "phone in" activation in over a year.

Now we all know that Bob in India will give you a new key if you answer his questions correctly. In fact as long as you answer No to "is this copy of windows on more than one computer" you are home free. Technically you aren't lying because they never ask if the OEM copy was installed one another machine and if it is being transferred to a new one.

The fact of the matter is that most people ignore the EULA anyhow, but some of us enjoy being EULA police. 🙂

 

[compuwiz1]

Well, on the upside, I learned some things in this thread. Frankly, I've never cared to read the EULA on any software I've purchased, because if I don't like it, I can't change it anyway. If I click "I don't agree", I won't get my installation completed anyway. Since I'm not a pirate, I'm not going to jail either. 😉

Thanks for all the replies gang. Whether or not I agree with everyone, it has been enlightening.

 

[Tom]

Unless something's changed, Microsoft doesn't decide what is legal in the USA.

Last time I heard, the enforceability of a EULA is not set in stone, legally.

Whatever the EULA says, if Microsoft has a practice of not enforcing this aspect of it, and this thread is full of evidence they don't, they are going to have a hard time convincing a court it should be enforced.

And that is who decides what is legal in this country, not MS.

 

[n0cmonkey]

Originally posted by: Tom
Unless something's changed, Microsoft doesn't decide what is legal in the USA.

Last time I heard, the enforceability of a EULA is not set in stone, legally.

Whatever the EULA says, if Microsoft has a practice of not enforcing this aspect of it, and this thread is full of evidence they don't, they are going to have a hard time convincing a court it should be enforced.

And that is who decides what is legal in this country, not MS.

They have more and better paid lawyers than you. They decide. 🙂

 

[IdaGno]

Q: How many Angels can dance on the head of a M$-owned pin?

A: As many as they allow.