[jepherz]

i just messed up my aunt's computer. she has no back up disks or anything and its a HP computer, so i tried looking online to order one. it turns out though that its too late cuz after a few years they run out and dont have anymore. so what it recommends is to go and buy windows and install that one. but thats retarded. so my uncle has a legal copy of XP pro and i was able to find out what his CD key is. if i install windows on my aunt's computer using that key, will it work? by work, i mean will i be able to get all the downloads and not get the key blacklisted? or will i just end up screwing both of them over?

[Tipstaff]

Sorry to say it, but you can only use the key on 1 machine at a time unless it's a Corporate or multi-licensed key, which I doubt it is. When you go to activate it the activation will fail. Yes, you could call, and get it activated for that machine, but then your uncles computer would stop working when it tries to do it's Genuine Advantage check (which is something like very 4 weeks) as it's not the machine assigned to the key anymore.

Your cheapest (and legal) solution would be to buy an OEM copy of Windows. You can still find them if you look, but a copy of Windows XP Home (the updated versions with SP3 are now available btw) would run you about $90 on Newegg, and maybe even cheaper if you look around.

Just for reference, there is no cdkey on your Aunt's HP machine? I ask because HP is required to put a sticker on every machine they sell regardless of whether they use that key, or the bulk key they normally use.

[jepherz]

oh man, really? i gotta go check tomorrow to see if there is. i downloaded the magic jelly bean thing to find my uncle's key, his is a HP also. didnt bother to check the case. my aunts cant start so i couldn't do the same for hers. thanks for the advise. =D

[Tipstaff]

Whatever you do, do not use the key that Magic Jellybean finds if it is different than the one on the sticker, and if it is the same, definitely do not use it. In almost all cases you will never be able to activate the bulk license key that manufacturers use. However, if the key on the sticker attached to the system is different than the one MJ finds XP is currently using then you could then use the key on that sticker. Legally you "technically" shouldn't do this, so my advice is that if your Aunt's system has a sticker you should try it first.

[Ascii2]

Originally Posted by Tipstaff

you can only use the key on 1 machine at a time unless it's a Corporate or multi-licensed key

This information is inaccurate.

[Tipstaff]

Originally Posted by Ascii2

This information is inaccurate.

Can you clarify what is inaccurate about it?

[Matth]

Some tips to remake an OEM SLP XP disk from a standard one
Help with Windows XP Home OEM! - TechSpot Troubleshooting

OEMBIOS Repository - you MAY be able to get the OEMBIOS files you need from here, and in general, any OEM SLP key (the key usually reported by keyfinder on "royalty OEM" should work, as the security is not in the key, but in having the appropriate system builder branded motherboard).

Alternatively, extract the required files from a similar system if possible.

Also, the "sticker key" from an OEM is barred from auto-activation, as piracy using the individual key as well as the OEM bulk key was a problem, so using the sticker key requires telephone authentication.

[Ascii2]

Originally Posted by Tipstaff

Can you clarify what is inaccurate about it?

Yes I can.

A key that is not a "Corporate or multi-licensed key" (volume licence key or royalty volume licence OEM key) may be used on more than one machine.

[Customgamer1]

Most if not all computers bought have the Windows sticker posted on the laptop/desktop etc.

All you would need is the disk and type in that key found on the tower,laptop etc and it should work right?

Unless she took that sticker off then you are out of luck

Not 100% however lol.

[Nuke209]

working in a warehouse that repaired notebooks daily
almost all the notebooks used the royal oem key.
they never really had the serial that was on the sticker.
Find the OEM version of your OS (or make one with the help of the oembios files) and install, it should activate it and let you go without any cd keys needed.

[Tipstaff]

Originally Posted by Ascii2

Yes I can.

A key that is not a "Corporate or multi-licensed key" (volume licence key or royalty volume licence OEM key) may be used on more than one machine.

Without bypass, and having it be legal?

Yes, you could use it on more than one machine, but I find it interesting that you haven't said how. There is no way to do it legally. I could tell people how to bypass all the WGA stuff, or how certain situtations keep WGA from reacting or talking, but I can't. Not only is it against Microsofts user agreement, but it is also against this sites forum rules.

'Course, if you know how to install and keep 2 machines running the same XP Home or XP Pro CDKey going, legally, while not breaking the user agreement, as well as staying within the context of this sites forum rules, I would love to here your answer.

[MGaz]

Originally Posted by Tipstaff

Without bypass, and having it be legal?

Yes, you could use it on more than one machine, but I find it interesting that you haven't said how. There is no way to do it legally. I could tell people how to bypass all the WGA stuff, or how certain situtations keep WGA from reacting or talking, but I can't. Not only is it against Microsofts user agreement, but it is also against this sites forum rules.

'Course, if you know how to install and keep 2 machines running the same XP Home or XP Pro CDKey going, legally, while not breaking the user agreement, as well as staying within the context of this sites forum rules, I would love to here your answer.

After i upgraded my PC and reinstalled windows xp, I 'assumed' i'd have to phone up gill bates to activate xp on a new system.

So that's what I did. but they wouldn't help me out... so I went back to using win 2000.

it really did baffle me (not my exact words at the time) , but how you can buy a product from someone, only to then be made to go out and buy it AGAIN a few months later!... How can that be legal?

that's what happened when my brother bought windows VISTA 'before' he upgraded his PC's internals.. HE HAD TO BUY IT TWICE!

How can microsoft (who lets face it, aren't short of a bob or two) make a case for copyright protection, when they, in response, end up stealing money from people who 'have actually' legally bought there slow-ware?

Not to mention the fact that the crap they've been selling us for all these years has been full of bugs and errors that, if it were any other line of industry would have been totally un exceptable! And if anything they would owe 'us' money in 'compensation' for all the hours lost both in buisness & pleasure , just trying to get the damn thing to work properly.



And they certanly shouldn't be allowed to develop GFX APi's that effectively hold us to ransom as to 'what' OS we must upgrade to in order to use the latest features on the the latest hardware with the latest games!

give me one good reason why dx10 couln't run have run of windows XP?

its because, just like Gordan brown.. microsoft want us all to bend over while we pick up the soap.

rant over.

[temeteus82]

Originally Posted by MGaz

it really did baffle me (not my exact words at the time) , but how you can buy a product from someone, only to then be made to go out and buy it AGAIN a few months later!... How can that be legal?

It is since the OEM license agreement says that it's only for that hardware where it's installed. I think there is around 15% change rate allowed, that don't count the mobo and cpu.

that's what happened when my brother bought windows VISTA 'before' he upgraded his PC's internals.. HE HAD TO BUY IT TWICE!

That's why I got the retail version in the first place. Since I know that my rig was going to change around 6 months after I got it.

How can microsoft (who lets face it, aren't short of a bob or two) make a case for copyright protection, when they, in response, end up stealing money from people who 'have actually' legally bought there slow-ware?

Again it comes down the license you have if it's OEM you can only put it on one system when in retail you can move it from system to system.

give me one good reason why dx10 couln't run have run of windows XP?

I don't know all the technical facts how DX10 works but in the end I think it's MS's call what versions of windows they want it to be enabled.

[craig5320]

I upgraded my mobo, cpu, ram with Vista OEM, had to phone up told the guy my mobo had fried and he gave me the code.

Few months later I put in all new hard drives and another CPU, again told them my hard drive had died and they gave me the code.

Only ever paid once. Have probably activated at least ten or more times now.

[MGaz]

Originally Posted by temeteus82

It is since the OEM license agreement says that it's only for that hardware where it's installed. I think there is around 15% change rate allowed, that don't count the mobo and cpu.



That's why I got the retail version in the first place. Since I know that my rig was going to change around 6 months after I got it.

Again it comes down the license you have if it's OEM you can only put it on one system when in retail you can move it from system to system.


I don't know all the technical facts how DX10 works but in the end I think it's MS's call what versions of windows they want it to be enabled.

I'll have to check, but i'm pretty sure my bros win VISTA ultimate dvd is full retail. i don't know for sure, but i DO know he got it from a PC shop, it didn't come with a new PC and nobody mentioned to him that he would have to buy it again once he upgraded.

& if it IS Written in the license agreement or not, how is jane & jo blogs suppose to realize that fact when they pick it up off the shelf?


As for dx10 , my point was that the gfx card & game company's should do us all a big favor and stop working on microsofts terms.



They should all get together and produce there own gfx API, independent of microsoft.. just like back in the day of GLIDE , so that the people once again have a 'choice' as to what OS they run. instead of being held to ransom by bill gates and his cronies and forced to buy pointless window dressed software , and being forced to upgrade all our hardware at the same time because the new OS runs soooo much slower than the last one.

i'm not saying we should all be able to run the latest games on a 286!

But Surly having a wide(er) choice of still viable past OS's for our games, would also open up the potential for game developers to target buyers who will upgrade there system for a 'GAME' but just not for the sake of a pointless operating system, that is only good for knocking a thousand points off our 3D MARK.

[temeteus82]

Originally Posted by MGaz

I'll have to check, but i'm pretty sure my bros win VISTA ultimate dvd is full retail. i don't know for sure, but i DO know he got it from a PC shop, it didn't come with a new PC and nobody mentioned to him that he would have to buy it again once he upgraded.

If it was full retail version of Vista then I'm puzzled since I have home premium and I did upgrade at last xmas and installled Vista fresh, I had to call to the activation number to get it activated for the first time but after that no issues with that feature at all.

[Ascii2]

Originally Posted by Tipstaff

Without bypass, and having it be legal?

Yes--However my comment was legal notwithstanding (as it was irrelevant).

Originally Posted by Tipstaff

Yes, you could use it on more than one machine, but I find it interesting that you haven't said how. There is no way to do it legally.

I could tell people how to bypass all the WGA stuff, or how certain situtations keep WGA from reacting or talking, but I can't. Not only is it against Microsofts user agreement...

The Microsoft OEM and retail license agreements for Windows XP family operating make no reference to the "WGA stuff", the use of product keys or other software enabling feature, nor the bypassing of functions. The agreements allow for an extension of license (otherwise expiration is 30 after first installation of software product) through Windows Activation, which itself is only required to occur once (although the operating system may nag for activation more than once).

[Tipstaff]

Originally Posted by Ascii2

Yes--However my comment was legal notwithstanding (as it was irrelevant).

The Microsoft OEM and retail license agreements for Windows XP family operating make no reference to the "WGA stuff", the use of product keys or other software enabling feature, nor the bypassing of functions. The agreements allow for an extension of license (otherwise expiration is 30 after first installation of software product) through Windows Activation, which itself is only required to occur once (although the operating system may nag for activation more than once).

Microsoft doesn't have to say it as plain as day as it is common sense. Anything you do to circumvent the conditions of the license you agree to in the EULA is a breach of that license. That includes any method to bypass activation, be it by altering the software or another method.

Getting back to the original point, the EULA for both XP Home and XP Pro specifically says that you cannot install the operating system on more than one machine:

"You may install, use, access, display and run one copy of the Software on a single computer, such as a workstation, terminal or other device (“Workstation Computer”). The Software may not be used by more than two (2) processors at any one time on any single Workstation Computer.

How much more plainly can that be said? Along with that, according to the EULA you are required to activate that copy of software you install by supplying the required information to activate your licensed software if you decide to use it after that 30 days. Now, while it doesn't directly mention the use of "keys" it does mention that the software in question uses "technological measures" to prevent unlicensed use of their software, and uses those "measures" to verify that you have a legitimately licensed software. Product keys are one of those "measures" the EULA describes, and is one of the pieces of information required to activate the software. This kind of product activation requiring a "key" as proof has been an industry standard for years now, and again, they don't have to say it as plain as day in the EULA. A key is given with each product disc, each EULA, and each Certificate of Authenticity. It's not there to look cool. It has a function, and Microsoft uses it to protect the product, to verify it is legit. In this case, using a key to install a piece of software ties that key to the machine it is being installed on. If you use the same key you used to install the software on one machine on another machine, it means that you are transferring that key to that other machine, and under the EULA you are required to remove the product from the prior machine. That is not me saying so. That is plainly stated in the EULA. So, according to the EULA you cannot, without breach of license, use the same key, or rather use that same software and the accompanying information to activate that software on more than one machine. Period.

BTW, I never said that WGA was mentioned in the EULA directly. Microsoft does not have to directly mention Windows Genuine Advantage in their EULA as it is inferred to by other means:

"This EULA applies to updates, supplements, add-on components, product support services, or Internet-based services components, of the Software that you may obtain from Microsoft after the date you obtain your initial copy of the Software, unless you accept updated terms or another agreement governs."

If Microsoft were to add every piece of addition, supplement, or other piece of code they wanted to add to their software by name in the EULA it would be miles long, and there would be an endless number of EULA revisions. All they have to do is use a broad brush, and include any possible "updates, supplements, add-on components, product support services, or Internet-based services components" they publish to fall under the EULA. To be even more legally technical, they can also include updated, and/or more expanded EULAs with the various components they supply, which, coincidentally, WGA has. However, just because WGA has it's own EULA doesn't mean that the original EULA, the one that came with the operating system, becomes void or moot. It technically takes precedence over the WGAs EULA as WGA "technically" falls under the section of the EULA described above.

To be frank, the original posters questions were asked and answered a month ago. I haven't the time or energy for this kind of debate, plus this isn't being of any positive help to anyone, so I'm moving on to other things. With that, adieu.

[Ascii2]

Originally Posted by Tipstaff

Anything you do to circumvent the conditions of the license you agree to in the EULA is a breach of that license. That includes any method to bypass activation, be it by altering the software or another method.

These statements are untrue.

Originally Posted by Tipstaff

Getting back to the original point, the EULA for both XP Home and XP Pro specifically says that you cannot install the operating system on more than one machine:

Please specifically state which EULA is being reference when direct quoting. The language of the different version of the EULA (like OEM and Retail (may also differ with service pack)).

Originally Posted by Tipstaff, bolding mine for emphasis

Now, while [EULA] doesn't directly mention the use of "keys" it does mention that the software in question uses "technological measures" to prevent unlicensed use of their software, and uses those "measures" to verify that you have a legitimately licensed software. Product keys are one of those "measures" the EULA describes, and is one of the pieces of information required to activate the software.

The EULAs for Windows XP OEM and Retail versions do not identify product keys as a technological measure nor is there any language to indicate a requirement to be restricted by the "technological measures".

Originally Posted by Tipstaff

BTW, I never said that WGA was mentioned in the EULA directly.

Indeed you had not, nor had I made mention that you had made mention that WGA was mentioned in the EULA directly.

Originally Posted by Tipstaff

I haven't the time or energy for this kind of debate

It was not my intention to start a debate (especially a long one); if I had suspected a debate, I would not have likely posted information (the time required would become to great). This is a point of stoppage for this discussion.