Hi-jacking operating system

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Rickles

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#64027 6-Jul-2010 12:31

Folks, a question about Windows licensing.

When one buys a new (retail) computer, the system comes installed with an operating system plus you get an OEM copy complete with the required 25-character Product Code (also called Licence Code) so that the system can be 'activated' and subsequently verified for updates online via MS sites.

If I upgrade by building a computer or purchasing a 'barebones' system, I can use my OEM disk and Product Code to reinstall the operating system, no problem.

However, say I want to cobble together a second computer, it seems my choices for a Windows operating system lie with either buying a completely new operating system package, or buying an old computer that has the disks and appropriate documentation.

My question is, if one can use the Product Code from, say, a dead computer after using any Win XP disks I have to hand, then presumably the Product Codes from literally any computer will work just as well?
Could a Product Code, which tends to be printed on the Certificate of Authenticity sticker on a computer, be "hi-jacked" and used by someone else to install a seemingly legitimate copy of Win XP?

Thanks,

R.

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#348374 6-Jul-2010 12:42

Officially, OEM licences are "tied" to the computer that they came with. In practice, no idea.

Rickles

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#348383 6-Jul-2010 12:50

Behodar, yes I have read MS's Licensing and Activation Agreemnets that say the same thing, BUT heaps of old computers are being offered on TradeMe with no disks, just the C.O.A with Product Code and a statement that it can be used to install whatever XP disk/s you have on hand.

An odd/illegal/unethical situation?

R.

CYaBro

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#348384 6-Jul-2010 12:54

Yes you could do that.
If you have an OEM copy of XP, Vista, Windows 7 or whatever then you could walk in to any shop selling computers and make a note of a product key from the sticker on the case or laptop.
Then go home and use it to install a copy on your machine :)
I never understood why Microsoft make OEM builders put this sticker, with the product key, on the outside of the case for all to see.

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Rickles

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#348386 6-Jul-2010 13:02

CYaBro, thanks for that, and confirms my suspicions. In fact I have used an OEM copy of XP Pro on three completely different iterations of machines over the past few years, and it's never baulked once.

Yes, those Product Codes tend to be on laptops more so than desktops from observation, but as you say it's quite silly if they can be hi-jacked as I surmised.

On the other hand, if I use the Code from a dead computer, then the Licence has still only been paid for and being used on only one computer .

R.

Nety

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#348427 6-Jul-2010 14:58

Rickles: [snip]
On the other hand, if I use the Code from a dead computer, then the Licence has still only been paid for and being used on only one computer .

R.

However by doing so you are still breaking the license agreement as it is non transferable.

We have had issues at the company I work for with both people literally stealing the OEM stickers off the machines and or using the codes.
This is disappointing as our PC's are given to non profit organisations when they are end of life for us. If they have no OEM license then they cannot be used and have to be destroyed.

Which ever way you cut it it is still theft.

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Rickles

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#348430 6-Jul-2010 15:04

Nety,

>Which ever way you cut it it is still theft.<

You are quite correct, of course.

R.

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u13turbo

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#362563 3-Aug-2010 18:31

So im abit confused. I have a computer that did have a legit copy of windows, it has been in garage for awhile and im rebuilding it with a few new parts. I wanna get a new harddrive, but that would mean i have to buy a new copy of xp? Because i have'nt got the old code from original disc.

Or could i use the code from the bottom of my laptop, and would both computers activate fine? with no problems?

If these suggestions wont work, What is the cheapest way/place to get xp?

Thanks

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#362782 4-Aug-2010 09:29

You cannot buy XP any more. It has gone end of life.

As for using the same key on two machines. No you can't. If you do not have a legit key for the second PC then you have a bit of a problem.

jjnz1

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#362787 4-Aug-2010 09:41

From my experience, I think you'll find that if you 'grab' a key from a retail machine ie, an HP desktop, the cd key will not work when coupled with an OEM CD. I know this was the case with XP Pro licensed from IBM. My machine died, so I built a new one and tried to 'reuse' the key to no success.

I guess if your retail machine comes with proper windows installation CD's then it might work but most retail machines don't provide you with this?

u13turbo

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#363106 4-Aug-2010 16:19

well i really do have a problem then.... My computer is meant to be a cheap build.... But paying $200 for a new code is stupidity..... bugger

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Lias

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#363120 4-Aug-2010 16:48

u13turbo: well i really do have a problem then.... My computer is meant to be a cheap build.... But paying $200 for a new code is stupidity..... bugger

Its a grey area legally, but nothing to stop you doing it beyond that.

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u13turbo

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#363126 4-Aug-2010 16:58

Lias:
u13turbo: well i really do have a problem then.... My computer is meant to be a cheap build.... But paying $200 for a new code is stupidity..... bugger

Its a grey area legally, but nothing to stop you doing it beyond that.

So is it easy enough to get an illegal copy, that will run fine and do everything a legal copy will do, including internet?

If so how? Because the fact is I have paid for a version, and because of upgrades im expected to pay another $200..... Good luck.

Thanks

3.06ghz Celeron(gonna overclock to 3.8ish)

1gb ddr 400

30gb hard drive(upgrading(

Computer made from parts i have lying around.

Lias

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#363154 4-Aug-2010 18:01

u13turbo:
Lias:
u13turbo: well i really do have a problem then.... My computer is meant to be a cheap build.... But paying $200 for a new code is stupidity..... bugger

Its a grey area legally, but nothing to stop you doing it beyond that.

So is it easy enough to get an illegal copy, that will run fine and do everything a legal copy will do, including internet?

If so how? Because the fact is I have paid for a version, and because of upgrades im expected to pay another $200..... Good luck.

Thanks

I wouldnt define a COA from a dead PC as illegal. At worst its a EULA breach, but EULA's have repetedly been struck out in courts. Hence I said grey area. You can use the COA online noproblems, but some OEM coa's will only activate on specific hardware, unless you mod the bios.