Backup

  • Thread starter Thread starter David Sanders
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David Sanders

I would like to make a backup copy of my hard disk (to recover from
failure) using Ghost. The eula included with my oem copy of Windows
appears to not allow this. Is it legal to backup my computer? Can I
have more than one backup, or do I have to destroy the DVDs each time I
backup?
TIA
 
I would like to make a backup copy of my hard disk (to recover from failure) using Ghost. The eula included with my oem copy of Windows appears to not allow this. Is it legal to backup my computer? Can I have more than one backup, or do I have to destroy the DVDs each time I backup?
TIA
Click to expand...

LOL! This post would be funny, except that I can see why the
poster might believe that it would be illegal to back up his own
computer, based on Microsoft's scare tactics concerning the
limited use of XP.

No, you poor shmuck, it is still legal for you to back up *your*
data and *your* programs on *your* computer. Not even mighty
Microsoft can quite control the minds and wallets of the world
sufficiently to prevent this.

In fact, I encourage you to make multiple copies of your Windows
XP CD, and pass them around to your friends. This also is legal.
If one of your friends chooses to install the CD without paying
for it, that would be another matter. Then Microsoft would send a
SWAT team around to his house at midnight to tear up his closets
and rough up his family.
 
David Sanders said:
I would like to make a backup copy of my hard disk (to recover from
failure) using Ghost. The eula included with my oem copy of Windows
appears to not allow this. Is it legal to backup my computer? Can I
have more than one backup, or do I have to destroy the DVDs each time I
backup?
Click to expand...

This is controversial because the EULA is written in strict legal language,
but I'll give my my personal opinion. Anyone who actually represents
Microsoft may not be able to tell you this in so many words. The EULA and
WPA are intended to enforce the rule of a separate copy of Windows for each
separate computer. It makes absolutely no sense to me to interpert EULA to
mean that you cannot make backup images or copies of your system to be run
*on the same computer*. So in short as long as you use that copy of Windows
only on that computer and no other, in my view you are within your rights
and would be following the spirit of the licensing agreement. Nobody will
come knocking at your door.

Lee
 
David said:
I would like to make a backup copy of my hard disk (to recover from
failure) using Ghost. The eula included with my oem copy of Windows
appears to not allow this. Is it legal to backup my computer? Can I
have more than one backup, or do I have to destroy the DVDs each time
I backup?
TIA
Click to expand...

Of course you may backup your hard disk to a DVD.

You just can't remove the DVD from the drive.
 
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