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

Fri May 3 11:17:20 UTC 2002

Last time I spoke to someone I was advised that you can legally buy a Hard
Drive or Motherboard and also purchase an OEM version of Windows - Why you
would want to pay good $$ for a M$ O/S is beyond me.

An OEM license has to stay with that PC ( Hard disk / Motherboard ) for its
life, so you cant just wipe the system clean install Windows on another PC
and claim you are still licensed.  There is nothing stopping you from wiping
Windows and installing Linux or whatever - You cant then legally go and sell
your Windows OEM license to someone else.

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Matthew Moyle-Croft [mailto:mmc at mmc.com.au]
> Sent: Wednesday, 1 May 2002 11:42
> To: Anthony Symons
> Cc: Michael T. Cheshire; Romana Challans; Computerbank Australia Inc;
> LinuxSA
> Subject: RE: Preinstalled Windows: AARGH! I can't get it off!
>
>
> (not having a go Ant, just taking this to it's next logical step ..)
>
> So, if it's linked to the HD, then why can I buy HDs without
> a windows tax?
> Heck, blank tapes and CDs come with a pirating tax, why not HDs?
> Why don't they stick the windows license on the HD and on the case?
>
> I can only assume that since most PCs come with the license
> number on the
> case that in fact it's merely sheetmetal that's licensed.
>
> In which case watchout when you sell your filing cabinet
> without it's proper
> licensing details ...
>
> MMC
> (Okay, so it was a really bad morning and M$ has given me
> somewhere to
> channel my anger).
>
>
> On 1 May 2002, Anthony Symons wrote:
>
> > 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
> > To unsubscribe from the LinuxSA list:
> >   mail linuxsa-request at linuxsa.org.au with "unsubscribe" as the subject
> >
>

--
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

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