Making XP a Trial Version

[Andrew]

I would like to lock XP after 30 days of use unless they
enter a code I provide them or something. I don't think
this is possible with windows natively but who knows.
Its basically for business' we sell systems too, they have 30 days to
pay the balance of the system, if they do
we would give them a code to unlock windows, if not then
they would get locked out kind of like if windows was not
activated. Does anyone know of any software that will do this?

 

[Carey Frisch [MVP]]

Microsoft does not offer a program to install a trial version
of Windows XP on a computer. You'll have to install
Windows XP as a fully operational operating system and
charge your customers the cost on the front end.

Welcome to the Microsoft System Builder Website
http://www.microsoft.com/oem/default.mspx

Microsoft Licensing 101
http://www.microsoft.com/licensing/resources/default.mspx

--
Carey Frisch
Microsoft MVP
Windows XP - Shell/User

Be Smart! Protect Your PC!
http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/protect/default.aspx

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:

| I would like to lock XP after 30 days of use unless they
| enter a code I provide them or something. I don't think
| this is possible with windows natively but who knows.
| Its basically for business' we sell systems too, they have 30 days to
| pay the balance of the system, if they do
| we would give them a code to unlock windows, if not then
| they would get locked out kind of like if windows was not
| activated. Does anyone know of any software that will do this?

 

[Andrew]

I figured MS doesn't, but there must be some 3rd party software that can
target windows or a specific application?

 

[Mike Brannigan [MSFT]]

I figured MS doesn't, but there must be some 3rd party software that can
target windows or a specific application?

No - you may not resell our product under your own terms.
If you are planning to resell our product as part of a larger bundle then
you must comply with the licensing of that product and our terms as an
OEM/System Builder.

If you choose to not join one of the programs to allow you to redistribute
ad resell our operating systems and just purchase either generic OEM or
retail products and then try and sell them under the kind of scheme you
suggest then you will be in violation of our licensing and may be subject to
action especially since you are doing this as a commercial vendor.
You should take Carey's advice and consult us about becoming an OEM/System
Builder

--

Regards,

Mike
--
Mike Brannigan [Microsoft]

This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no
rights

Please note I cannot respond to e-mailed questions, please use these
newsgroups

 

[Andrew]

Maybe I should have mention I am already an OEM system builder I tried
the OEM forums but the told me to go to a developer forum, I am not a
technet subscriber so I thought I would check here.

 

[Mike H]

If selling to home users, either prepare a credit card sales slip which can
be used after the 30 day period in the event that payment is not made OR
change your policy regarding payment for services rendered..

 

[Mike Brannigan [MSFT]]

Maybe I should have mention I am already an OEM system builder I tried
the OEM forums but the told me to go to a developer forum, I am not a
technet subscriber so I thought I would check here.

OK - So you want to sell PCs to business on terms whereby they must pay you
the balance for the cost within 30 days to receive a code that will let them
continue to use the product. If they do not pay up then you do not give
them the code and they have lumps of metal or at least a PC that they can
rebuild with there own OS to get rid of your locked one and the you still
have a legal case to pursue with them for full payment.
Frankly I am not convinced that this is goer. Why should a company buy a
modified product from you that you are holding some sort of final key over
in the event of non settlement of the bill when they can simply reimage them
to remove your lock and also they could just go elsewhere to another system
builder that sells them clean product with no modifications or time bombs ?
You will also have to get a VERY good lawyer to look at the possible
legalities of this.

As it stands now even if we made available to you our timebombed "trail"
products we do not offer an unlock to the final product you have to do a
repair install with a real retail copy and key.

--

Regards,

Mike
--
Mike Brannigan [Microsoft]

This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no
rights

Please note I cannot respond to e-mailed questions, please use these
newsgroups

 

[Andrew]

its more than the OS. They are running camera software that we need to
install and configure and license. I dont necessarily need to bomb out
windows persay, if I could lock out the app, that would be fine as well

 

[Carey Frisch [MVP]]

You'll have to contact the software company that wrote the
special camera software and ask if they offer a trial version
of their software. No operating system, that I'm aware of,
can limit the usage of a third-party software program
designed and sold as perpetually fully-functional.

--
Carey Frisch
Microsoft MVP
Windows XP - Shell/User

Be Smart! Protect Your PC!
http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/protect/default.aspx

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

:

| its more than the OS. They are running camera software that we need to
| install and configure and license. I dont necessarily need to bomb out
| windows persay, if I could lock out the app, that would be fine as well

 

[Rob]

This doesn't seem too difficult really. While I don't know of any third
party program, it shouldn't be too difficult to write one that does what you
need. A brief outline might go something like:

first run at customer site - record date someplace
run once per day - check to see if valid registration code has been written
somewhere
at day 30 if none is detected - do something... move the camera software or
DLL to a different directory
if at any point a valid key is detected, disable your software

a second application would be run at the time the customer pays the balance
you have them run it and enter a specific key - the key would need to be
unique to that machine, so before you ship the machine
you might want to determine what that key will be (this can be very easy, or
very complex depending on how you want to implement it)

of course if you have smart, computer saavy people on the other end, they'll
be able to easily circumvent this unless you spend a LOT of development
effort.
they also better agree to this up front and sign on the dotted line, or as
pointed out many times, you could be looking at lawsuits. probably not a
good
way to do business if you value your customers.

 

[Andrew]

I mean the other way around. Is there 3rd party software that anyone knows
of that can limit usage of other apps or windows. I know there is software
that you can use when you compile source code that does this, but I need
something I can target a .exe with or something

 

[Carey Frisch [MVP]]

I have no knowledge of any third-party application
that can do what you want to accomplish.

--
Carey Frisch
Microsoft MVP
Windows XP - Shell/User

Be Smart! Protect Your PC!
http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/protect/default.aspx

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

:

| I mean the other way around. Is there 3rd party software that anyone knows
| of that can limit usage of other apps or windows. I know there is software
| that you can use when you compile source code that does this, but I need
| something I can target a .exe with or something

 

[Rob]

My solution works fine for that, but you need to write it yourself.