Actually the situation isn't QUITE as bad as you describe, but it is pretty
bad.
>
> I read in the paper yesterday that Windows XP is going to be
> hardware - licensed.  This means that when the XP is installed
> on your computer, it makes a list of the hardware you have.
> You must validate this license (over the net) with MS within
> thirty days or the OS crashes and burns.  MS keeps a
> copy of the hardware list.


        Mickeysoft has been very careful with this. They say that the information
sent to them pertaining to your hardware could never be traced back to the
actual hardware you have. This has been confirmed by third parties.

> If the hardware changes "significantly"  (???), then the XP
> thinks it is on a new computer and does not work.  So,
> say you upgrade to a new mb and hd.  When you go to
> re-validate, MS says "no, this is an illegal second copy," and
> you need to buy a new copy of XP.  The details were not
> spelled out - and, perhaps, will be kept secret.

        Not at all, as long as you can prove to Mickeysoft that you don't actually
have a different computer they will revalidate your computer. For the record
Mickeysoft says that this sort of thing will only happen if 3 or more major
items are changed. All in all this is an extreme threat to our rights, we
have to call Mickeysoft every time we do a significant upgrade!?!?!?

> This is bad news for PC Builders.  What if you change your
> mb or upgrade your hard drive and video card.  Will you then
> have to buy a new copy of XP??  It looks that way.


        No, you won't, IF you believe Mickeysoft.

> This is MS's way of preventing the use of one licensed copy
> on more than one computer.

        You got it, Mickeysoft wants to tie the OS to the computer, meaning every
time you do something to your computer you have to pay Mickeysoft more
money, and this stuff is getting them pretty close to this goal.

> Personally, if this article is true, I will not be buying XP until
> I absolutely need it to run some piece of software.

        I'll go one step further, I probably  will never buy WinXP, Linux is on
it's way to being better in every way than Windows. And if the time every
comes where I will buy WinXP I'll only do it if there is a crack to disable
this garbage, it is none of Mickeysoft's business of who I am and what I do
with my computer.  Just my opinion. TTYL

PS. For good info on thie whole issue go to http://www.theregister.co.uk,
it's a great site for getting info on things like this. TTYL

                         PCBUILD's List Owners:
                      Bob Wright<[log in to unmask]>
                       Drew Dunn<[log in to unmask]>