My brother needs to borrow my copy of WinXP

  • Thread starter Thread starter Mallignamius
  • Start date Start date
Click For Summary
The discussion revolves around the limitations of the OEM version of Windows XP, specifically regarding its licensing agreement, which restricts installation to a single computer. Users express frustration over the inability to transfer the software to a new machine once the original computer fails, despite having paid for the software. The conversation highlights a misunderstanding of the terms of the End-User License Agreement (EULA), with some participants advocating for clearer communication from vendors about these restrictions. There is also a sentiment of discontent towards Microsoft’s licensing practices, with some considering a switch to Linux as an alternative. Ultimately, the consensus is that the OEM license's limitations feel unfair to consumers who expect more flexibility with their purchases.
  • #31
I want to know something, will video games work on linux? Its the only reason I haven't switched over yet, cause I hate microsoft's guts. Bill Gates was a smart dude and made his pile, but his company still stinks.

Will games like NFS/Counterstrike/etc work on Linux?
 
Computer science news on Phys.org
  • #32
The person who created this thread doesn't have an enterprise CD-Key though unless he purchased several licenses. He just bought the standard OEM copy of windows through TigerDirect, so why even mention this?
Because it seems you are confusing OEM and enterprise licensing :smile: You don't ever buy a standard copy OEM on the internet you get it bundled with a PC. That is why I was referring to the "Dell" CD you get with a new laptop.

The enterprise version of windows doesn't need activation. The OEM version you buy online somewhere is not the enterprise version. An enterprise version still mandatorily undergoes the "genuine windows" validation check. I would know, I use the enterprise OEM WinXP Pro on my desktop. ;)
That is sort of my point, it depends where you buy you computer and for who you buy it. If you have a business account with Dell then they will ship the PC with a Business license I guess. Registration and genuine windows checks are not the same thing.
One interesting thing to mention is that if you have a desktop computer with an enterprise license, if you replace the case, you legally invalidate your license for that computer. The reason is because the sticker must be present on the computer and it is against the EULA to remove the sticker (so you cannot transfer it to the new case). Wierd eh? Kind of puts businesses in a crappy situation if they want to upgrade, I think.
Hmmm I don't believe that is true, I have in previous jobs helped companies roll out with Windows 2k, we didnt have to get new stickers. If your enterprise license covers all your desktops, servers, laptops you can install, reinstall upgrade etc until you are blue in the face. The sticker is to do with OEM, not enterprise licensing.
 
  • #33
Anttech said:
Because it seems you are confusing OEM and enterprise licensing :smile: You don't ever buy a standard copy OEM on the internet you get it bundled with a PC. That is why I was referring to the "Dell" CD you get with a new laptop.

That is sort of my point, it depends where you buy you computer and for who you buy it. If you have a business account with Dell then they will ship the PC with a Business license I guess. Registration and genuine windows checks are not the same thing.
Hmmm I don't believe that is true, I have in previous jobs helped companies roll out with Windows 2k, we didnt have to get new stickers. If your enterprise license covers all your desktops, servers, laptops you can install, reinstall upgrade etc until you are blue in the face. The sticker is to do with OEM, not enterprise licensing.

Um.. Yea.. You can buy OEM windows online.. Click http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116207" for an example.. Also, who said that genuine windows checks and registration was the same thing? I didn't. I even explained the effect of failing a genuine windows check. Maybe you're the one confusing things here. ;)

OEM has to do with support issues (hence the name, Original Equipment Manufacturer). If your company had OEM computers and they removed the stickers from the cases or the cases from the computers, then they invalidate their support from whoever they bought the computers from and Microsoft won't give support because it's the seller of the OEM software that is responsible for providing that support. (which is why you call Dell if you are having a problem with your Windows on your Dell computer) If you would like more information, check out the http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Original_equipment_manufacturer" .

Now, if you'd like me to teach you more about OEM, you should've just asked me! I guess it's my fault for just trying to provide the best advice for the person who created this thread. I forgot that you were here too.

Philip

P.S. You shouldn't state "facts," unless you know they are actually true. It's a waste of everyone's time, including your own. I say this for your benefit.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
  • #34
chaoseverlasting said:
I want to know something, will video games work on linux? Its the only reason I haven't switched over yet, cause I hate microsoft's guts. Bill Gates was a smart dude and made his pile, but his company still stinks.

Will games like NFS/Counterstrike/etc work on Linux?
I don't know if they ported those specifically, but here's some that you might like. There are a few good ones in there, and most (or all) are free.


Games for Linux

http://techgage.com/print/top_10_free_linux_games

http://loll.sourceforge.net/linux/links/Games/index.html

http://www.happypenguin.org/

http://www.linux-gamers.net/

http://www.lokigames.com/

http://www.tuxgames.com/

http://absolutist.com/linux/

http://www.linux-games.com/

http://www.phelios.com/linuxgames/

http://www.tucows.com/Linux/Games/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linux_gaming
 
Last edited by a moderator:
  • #35
Yeah, I bought OEM WinXP Pro without a computer. I bought it (separately, from a different company) for this refurbed Gateway. It is my understanding that selling an OEM version requires that they sell it bundled with a nonperipheral component. I didn't get such a component, so it seems that they are sliding under their reseller agreement.
 
Last edited:
  • #36
chaoseverlasting said:
I want to know something, will video games work on linux? Its the only reason I haven't switched over yet, cause I hate microsoft's guts. Bill Gates was a smart dude and made his pile, but his company still stinks.

Will games like NFS/Counterstrike/etc work on Linux?
Short answer is if you have to ask you'll probably not get it working anyway. Most do work & decently too if you have the patience for it.
 
  • #37
m.. Yea.. You can buy OEM windows online.. Click here for an example.. Also, who said that genuine windows checks and registration was the same thing? I didn't. I even explained the effect of failing a genuine windows check. Maybe you're the one confusing things here. ;)
Really?
The End User License Agreement (EULA) for OEM software, including Windows XP, states that the software is licensed as a single integrated product in connection with the hardware. However, it's important to remember that the end user cannot see nor accept the electronic EULA until the software is installed on a fully-assembled computer system. So, even though the original OEM software unit may have been distributed with a component, like a hard drive, it isn't until the software is installed on a fully-assembled computer system that it becomes "married" to the hardware.
http://oem.microsoft.com/downloads/Public/sblicense/English_SB_License.pdf
http://www.microsoft.com/oem/enroll.mspx

Go read more about it at microsoft.com

newegg are selling OEM software with hardware. I know exactly how it works. As I said you don't buy a standard copy of OEM on the internet. Just to clarifty that you can't legally without breaking the Licensing buy a copy of OEM software on the net. There are ways around that which is the exception to the rule. Not the rule its self!
Companies like Newegg are getting around the restriction of selling OEM software by bundling Windows Vista with a small piece of hardware, such as drive cables or other inexpensive accessories. Microsoft warns though, that support becomes the end user's responsibility.
http://techrepublic.com.com/5208-6230-0.html?forumID=102&threadID=210069&start=0
OEM has to do with support issues (hence the name, Original Equipment Manufacturer). If your company had OEM computers and they removed the stickers from the cases or the cases from the computers, then they invalidate their support from whoever they bought the computers from and Microsoft won't give support because it's the seller of the OEM software that is responsible for providing that support.
Its called Original Equipment Manufacturing because it has to be bundled with hardware, yes if you break the license you break your support: From your link:
Original equipment manufacturer, or OEM, is a term that refers to a situation in which one company purchases a manufactured product from another company and resells the product as its own, usually as a part of a larger product the original company is selling
Now, if you'd like me to teach you more about OEM, you should've just asked me! I guess it's my fault for just trying to provide the best advice for the person who created this thread.
:rolleyes:
P.S. You shouldn't state "facts," unless you know they are actually true. It's a waste of everyone's time, including your own. I say this for your benefit.
I never do that, but thanks for your condescending little quip
 
Last edited by a moderator:
  • #38
But Anttech, you wrote, "You don't ever buy a standard copy OEM on the internet you get it bundled with a PC. That is why I was referring to the "Dell" CD you get with a new laptop."

That's just what I did. I didn't buy a new PC. It might be against the license agreement, but that's still what was done.
 
  • #39
If you didnt buy *any* hardware with your OEM copy, and you arent going to assemble a PC with it, yes you broke the license.

Ok perhaps I should have said you can't do it legally
 
  • #40
I broke it?? I thought it was required by the license to sell with hardware. I was expecting the hardware component but didn't get it. How does that mean I broke it? The advertisement stated that it would "ship with a nonperipheral component."
 
Last edited:
  • #41
Mallignamius said:
I broke it?? I thought it was required by the license to sell with hardware. I was expecting the hardware component but didn't get it. How does that mean I broke it? The advertisement stated that it would "ship with a nonperipheral component."
Fair point, I am not a lawyer, all I know is that the OEM license is broken if its not followed, and it seems it hasnt been followed in your case.

Who is actually to blame for that is another thing all together.

Have you demanded in writing the hardware you are referring to?
 
  • #42
In other news, 3.3 is out & I'm a little kid at christmas all over again.
 
  • #43
Should I bother? I'm thinking that they might try to protect their behinds by claiming it was sent, and I loathe the thought of playing "He said She said." I don't know how I could prove otherwise, unless anyone has any ideas.

Anyways, I think I will hang up this thread now. I do appreciate the help you've all given and will consider everything very carefully in the next few months. *hits print button*
 
  • #44
No problemo. Good luck. :)
 
  • #45
Eh, don't mean to start this thread up again, but I have installed (transferred) my XP Pro disc on many computers before. If it didn't activate immediately, all I did was call and tell the person that it was only being put on one PC. They say ok and that's it. I didn't even need to tell them something broke. I simply said I was reformatting or said I got a new PC and that XP wasn't on the previous PC anymore. What exactly is the issue here?
 
  • #46
The issue is helping me to understand the terms of the EULA for an OEM WinXP Pro that was already installed on an old computer, with the intention of later transferring it to a new computer. The differentiation is clarified between a standard version and an OEM version.
 
  • #47
Oh ok. Sorry about that. I thought you were upset because you couldn't transfer it period.
 
  • #48
I am. Or so a strict interpretation of that particular EULA seems to be.
 
  • #49
Oh. Well you can transfer it. Just call Microsoft to help you if it activate on its own. I do it all the time.
 
  • #51
GTdan said:
Oh. Well you can transfer it. Just call Microsoft to help you if it activate on its own. I do it all the time.

The person doesn't want to break his software contract. He knows it won't have any consequences for himself and would be very easy to do so, but he wants to follow the rules here.

Thanks for the comments though. :biggrin:
 
  • #52
BoredNL said:
The person doesn't want to break his software contract. He knows it won't have any consequences for himself and would be very easy to do so, but he wants to follow the rules here.

Thanks for the comments though. :biggrin:

I see. Well...o:)
 
  • #53
If there was no limit to the computers that you could install it on then they wouldn't sell much of their os at all because one person could just host it on the internet and then everyone could install it. Boom, no more profits.
 
  • #54
That's precisely what was happening, but we're talking about OEM software here, which is different than retail.
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 36 ·
2
Replies
36
Views
4K
  • · Replies 19 ·
Replies
19
Views
3K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
5K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
3K
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
5K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
3K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
3K
  • · Replies 12 ·
Replies
12
Views
3K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 12 ·
Replies
12
Views
4K