Disclaimer first:
I don't see ANY full Retail versions and do not know if they come with a
COA sticker or not. (I assume they would...)
The Full RETAIL versions are portable to a new machine as long as the software
is removed from the old machine. On older versions with NO activation this
would be hard for MS to know for sure... -- Basically the honor system...
I suppose that since we "have" Windows Activation, we can see how well the
honor system worked... <grin>
What you "might" have been referring to (correctly) are the OEM versions...
They are, (and have always been), locked for life to a particular physical
machine. The "small builders" OEM versions generally/always (YMMV?)
have "OEM" in the PID, (which is different from the Install key...)
The PID is what you see in Control Panel, System, General Tab...
(Path to screen changes with OS version...)
I never bothered looking at the DELLs, (BIG OEMs, etc.), since I know they
are BIOS locked versions, and will only work with an OEM MB of a specific
type... Activation can be "totally invisible" (most times) in a situation like this... :)
All of the above is subject to change depending on which "exact flavor" of OS.
MS has a dozen different "flavors" of OS disks (for the same specific version)
at any given time, and that does not count different languages...
Rick Glazier
----- Original Message -----
From: "Joe Lore" <[log in to unmask]>
> You may be correct, but also, may not be. The unit she purchased could of
> haved the COA attached to the side or back of the unit, and that gives her
> the legallity needed to use the software.
>
> It was kind of a 2 edge sword when MS started this procedure. It stopped
> the blatent stripping and reselling of software in large and small
> organizations, but it also married that OS to the machine for the life of
> the machine.
>
> Thanks,
>
> Joe Lore
>
> I am not an expert on this but believe that you technically do not own the
> right to use Windows on your computer. You purchased the hardware and not
> the software. The person that sold you the computers should have provided
> the original installation software on disk or CD. Now, I believe your best
> choice would be to purchase a version of Windows (98, ME, 2000, or XP -- XP
> would be my choice) and do a new install. Be forwarned, this option would
> erase all other software which you also do not have the installation disk.
> You can try a repair install (which is what the MS tech recommended), but
> this does not always correct system problems.
>
> Do you own any version of Windows? If so, you might qualify for upgrade
> pricing. WinXP Home can be had for about $90. Wish I have better news, but
> in the future, make sure you get the original software if you purchase
> second hand. The person who sold you the hardware "retained" the license for
> the software and might be using it on another system. Using the same OS on
> two systems is against the EULA (licensing agreement between you and
> Microsoft).
>
> Depending upon your needs, Linux might be an alternative, but this is not
> for the faint of heart. But the OS software is free to download and usually
> comes with lots of applications software.
PCBUILD maintains hundreds of useful files for download
visit our download web page at:
http://freepctech.com/downloads.shtml
|
