Truth or Sales Pitch?

[Margie]

I'm about to junk my Gateway with Win98 ... however, the
Gateway sales person said I wouldn't be able to use my
Microsoft Office 2000 on it. He said that XP might allow
it to be loaded but after 30 days would delete it, knowing
that the product key had already been used.

He was, of course, trying to include MS Office 2002 on
it.

I'm looking to get a "bare bones" system and continue
using my application software packages.

Was he telling me the truth or was that so much sales
pitch? I can't believe that I can't use my personal
(legal) copy of MS Office 2000 on the XP machine!

You can also respond directly to me at (e-mail address removed).

 

[Raoul]

Why do you think he's just a salesperson?

 

[Bruce Chambers]

Greetings --

Assuming a retail license for Office 2K, you can use it on the new
PC.

If, however, your version of Office was an OEM (factory installed)
license that came bundled on the old PC, then the Gateway rep was
correct. OEM licenses are permanently bound to the first PC on which
they're installed, and are not transferable to another computer, under
any circumstances.

Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:

 

[Margie]

In researching this issue, I've discovered something about
XP and product activation. What is that and how does it
enforce the licensing to one machine. (I see valid
reasons for doing so, but not sure I understand the
technology or how it works.)

 

[Margie]

I don't follow re SP1 already installed? This was a
version I purchased early in the Office 2000 life cycle ...

 

[Bruce Chambers]

Greetings --

Here are the facts pertaining to activation:

Piracy Basics - Microsoft Product Activation
http://www.microsoft.com/piracy/basics/activation/

Windows Product Activation (WPA)
http://www.aumha.org/a/wpa.htm


Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:

 

[Bruce Chambers]

Greetings --

You're welcome.

Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:

 

[Rick \Nutcase\ Rogers]

Hi,

During the later distribution period of Office 2000, the first Service Pack
was incorporated into the distribution. For copies purchased during the
earlier time, SP1 was available as a separate download. When SP1 was
downloaded into one of the commonly available illegal distributions using a
few select product keys, it deactivated the original illegal installation.

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers aka "Nutcase" MS-MVP - Win9x

Associate Expert - WinXP - Expert Zone

 

[Donald Link]

Sounds like the sales rep was sniffing to much cow manure.