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.

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.


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.

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

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

Dean Kukral    [log in to unmask]

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