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View Full Version : BS like this is why the Microsoft OS will always be hacked..


Minacious
02-19-2006, 12:35 AM
Sure, the copy-protection will be bypassed in no time, but it’s the principal behind this nonsense that bothers me. For those like me that are constantly upgrading, changing and tweaking, this is nothing more than a slap in the face. It wouldn’t even make sense for me to by a legit copy of Windows.

The Windows serial number is now tied to the motherboard. Buy a new motherboard? Buy a new copy of Windows.

Link to the story. (http://www.flexbeta.net/main/comments.php?catid=5&shownews=18469)


quote:
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Microsoft recently made a change to the licence agreement saying that a new motherboard is equal to a new computer, hence you need to purchase a new Windows licence.

Here is what Microsoft has to say:

“An upgrade of the motherboard is considered to result in a “new personal computer” to which Microsoft® OEM operating system software cannot be transferred from another computer. If the motherboard is upgraded or replaced for reasons other than a defect, then a new computer has been created and the license of new operating system software is required.”

The reason Microsoft gave for this term is that “Microsoft needed to have one base component “left standing” that would still define that original PC. Since the motherboard contains the CPU and is the “heart and soul” of the PC, when the motherboard is replaced (for reasons other than defect) a new PC is essentially created.”

Microsoft sent a memo to its OEM partners asking them to enforce this new policy, every time they upgrade a computer for a client.

From the Microsoft License FAQ, question 11:
Rather than purchase completely new PCs, my organization performs in-place upgrades to the hardware on many of our computers. We often times only replace the motherboard, processor, and memory. Since the COA is still on the case and the OS is still installed on the hard drive, this computer is still licensed, right?

Generally, you may upgrade or replace all of the hardware components on your computer and maintain the license for the original Microsoft OEM operating system software, with the exception of an upgrade or replacement of the motherboard. An upgrade of the motherboard is considered to result in a "new personal computer." Microsoft OEM operating system software cannot be transferred from one computer to another. Therefore, if the motherboard is upgraded or replaced for reasons other than a defect then a new computer has been created, the original license expires, and a new full operating system license (not upgrade) is required. This is true even if the computer is covered under Software Assurance or other Volume License programs.

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TNT
02-19-2006, 12:38 AM
:? :| hmm what?...

SFDMALEX
02-19-2006, 12:52 AM
I have never purchased or owned a legitimate license for any windows operating system starting with 3.1

Now I have used every windows there is.

Looks like I will continue using pirated versions of 90% of things that MicroWeShaftYourAss has to offer.

Minacious
02-19-2006, 01:02 AM
I have never purchased or owned a legitimate license for any windows operating system starting with 3.1

Now I have used every windows there is.

Looks like I will continue using pirated versions of 90% of things that MicroWeShaftYourAss has to offer.

Exactly!! And BS like this will keep me doing the same.

RC45
02-19-2006, 01:02 AM
Microsoft OEM operating system software cannot be transferred from one computer to another

Yet another reason to not buy a Dell/Compaq etc branded OEM system ;)

Just assemble a PC from spare parts :P

SFDMALEX
02-19-2006, 01:10 AM
Microsoft OEM operating system software cannot be transferred from one computer to another

Yet another reason to not buy a Dell/Compaq etc branded OEM system ;)

Just assemble a PC from spare parts :P

They're still ghey. :)

gigdy
02-19-2006, 01:33 AM
If the motherboard is upgraded or replaced for reasons other than a defect, then a new computer has been created and the license of new operating system software is required.”

who cares? they give you a giant loop hole. i have xp pro installed on 2 computer right now. And when i called microsoft to activate i told them it was on 2 computers. they dont care. its just another way to get money out of stupid people, and if you are replacing your mobo your probably smart enough to get around it.

Minacious
02-19-2006, 03:10 AM
who cares? they give you a giant loop hole. i have xp pro installed on 2 computer right now. And when i called microsoft to activate i told them it was on 2 computers. they dont care. its just another way to get money out of stupid people, and if you are replacing your mobo your probably smart enough to get around it.

Like I said, it's the principal behind it that I think is pitiful. It won't affect or bother my computer building in the slightest.

Shinigami
02-19-2006, 07:11 AM
Oh well, just call those idiots at the activation helpdesk and say that your mainboard died, it'll work.
Exactly, it's as simple as this. They won't ask you for your name, probably just the country you live in, and of course the serial number.

Or just buy a volume license deal where you get 10 Windows XP licenses, as well as 10 Office 2003 licenses, a copy of SBS and some other goodies. Granted, you'll need to renew the licensing every year, but it's only about $200 with reductions to students, and you always get the latest OS with it. In fact, M$ will send you new CD's once a year with the latest versions of the OS' in their pack.

Alternatively, some big companies receive volume license packs where no activation is required. Makes it possible to change bits and pieces of the computer in question without any "blockage". Good thing the company I works for has this deal, I can install anything from SQL to Enterprise Editions of Exchange and Windows Server 2003, on as many computers as I want at home. Legally ;)

Shinigami
02-19-2006, 07:20 AM
I have never purchased or owned a legitimate license for any windows operating system starting with 3.1

Now I have used every windows there is.

Looks like I will continue using pirated versions of 90% of things that MicroWeShaftYourAss has to offer.
If you don't like Windows, nobody is forcing you to use it. There's a lot of alternatives out there, many of them which are free. Whilst most people work for free on Linux based derivatives, Microsoft is a company out to make money. It's normal for the OS to cost a certain amount (too much IMO), but the programmers need to get their pay check from somewhere.

I doubt you'll go ahead and pay for a Microsoft OS even if there was no activation. You said it yourself that you've owned every previous version illegally, and they had no obligatory activation systems ;)

5vz-fe
02-19-2006, 09:38 AM
Atho that doesn't affect me one bit <wink> I think it does make a bit sense especially when only OEM licenses are conerned, that said, I think the defect replacement shouldn't count as a new computer.

mindgam3
02-19-2006, 10:47 AM
If the motherboard is upgraded or replaced for reasons other than a defect, then a new computer has been created and the license of new operating system software is required.”

This dosen't mean anything to PC modders, just chumps who buy their PC's from big name companies. It seems by this statement that there is no actual piece of code/hardware that REQUIRES a copy of windows to be linked to a motherboard.... it's just MS making more money.

I.e you can go buy a motherboard for your computer and you won't need a new copy of windows.

Send it back to the retailer and you will ;)

evoWalo
02-19-2006, 11:58 AM
Windows? people still use that caveman OS? ;)Apparently so.

I dont really see any value to update to Vista (unless it's bundled with a new PC) before Service Pack 2 or later comes out in, maybe, 2010.

thekillingroad
03-14-2006, 03:36 PM
What is changed here?
It was all the same for OEM Windows'..
The way of protection may be developed, but OEM's were always for one PC.