[Computerbank] RE: Preinstalled Windows: AARGH! I can't get it off!

[Anthony Symons]

When I used to work as a tech for a hardware company, we were told that
it meant the hard drive, and we could sell a hard disk and an OEM
windows together legally. However, Im not a lawyer and Its kinda
irrelevant to me :)

Ant

On Wed, 2002-05-01 at 11:30, Matthew Moyle-Croft wrote:
> Hmm,
> Does kind of beg the question:
> 
> What exactly defines the "hardware" as THE hardware?
> 
> The CPU?  
> The Harddisk?
> The motherboard?
> The case?
> 
> Does this mean if I upgrade the CPU I'm no longer licensed?  If I use the 
> CPU in another machine is it licensed or not?
> 
> What if I change the MB or Harddisk?  Heck, what if I change the case that 
> the little evil "windows license tag" is attached to?
> 
> What if in fact I install a second harddrive and put linux on that?  
> 
> What if I attach a case badge that says "Linux Inside"?  The hardware 
> changes, is that an issue????
> 
> If I buy a computer without a license (a Naked PC Rated R) and then glue the 
> P133 from a machine that was licensed for Windows onto the top of the case, 
> is it licensed?  Or is it now just a hedgehog?
> 
> Personally, I think Microsoft owe me.  I had countless days of my life 
> wasted by their crap (not as many days as some poor people, but enough
> all the same).
> 
> MMC
> 
> 
> On Wed, 1 May 2002, Michael T. Cheshire wrote:
> 
> > I think you'll find what that is supposed to mean is that if you buy a PC with Windowz then the licence for Windowz must stay with the PC for life ie it cannot be transfered to another machine(s). I beleive they are saying this in the context that a donated PC should have a Windows licence as the pc was most likely sold with Windows. This doesnt mean you cant wipe the PCs and put Linux on - you'd just have a windows licence attatched to that PC which was not being used and could not be transfered.
> > 
> > M.
> > 
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: Romana Challans [mailto:romana at timelady.com]
> > Sent: Wednesday, 1 May 2002 10:46 AM
> > To: Computerbank Australia Inc; LinuxSA
> > Subject: Preinstalled Windows: AARGH! I can't get it off!
> > 
> > 
> > http://www.theregister.co.uk/content/4/25085.html
> > 
> > If a PC shipped with Windows preinstalled, can you remove the OS and install 
> > Linux instead? Well, no, according to Microsoft. A somewhat obscure Microsoft 
> > site aimed at helping schools deal with donated computers flatly states: "It 
> > is a legal requirement that pre-installed operating systems remain with a 
> > machine for the life of the machine." 
> > <snip>
> > 
> > the implications of this are, well, scary!
> > if anyone can't get the rest of the article, let me know, i'll post it...
> > 
> > romana:)
> > ??????????????????????????????????????????????????
> > Romana Challans
> > Computerbank Australia  Incorporated -  SA branch coordinator
> > http://www.linunix.com/cbsa/
> > 
> > "Between the idea and the reality,
> > Between the motion and the act,
> > Falls the Shadow..."
> > (TS Eliot)
> > ??????????????????????????????????????????????????
> > 
> > 
> 
> -- 
> Matthew
> --
> Matthew at Moyle-Croft.com    | mmc at mmc.com.au        |    mmc at 206gti.net
> http://www.Moyle-Croft.com | http://www.mmc.com.au | http://206gti.net
> 
> -- 
> LinuxSA WWW: http://www.linuxsa.org.au/  IRC: #linuxsa on irc.linux.org.au
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-- 
Systems Administrator       
Pracom Ltd.             
+61 8 82029074 -=- +61 402 100 671 
anthony.symons at sa.pracom.com.au

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