Certificate of Authenticty

[mm]

A friend was given a computer with XP, through a recycling list. It
has the MS Certificate of Authenticity sticker, with the Product Key,
on the bottom. It seems to me she intended to give him the XP
license also, and he can use that number if, for example, he wants to
upgrade an old computer or assemble a new computer. Do you agree?

OTOH, I was given a computer, an eMachine, but without the harddrive,
and it too has the XP C of A sticker on the bottom with the Product
Key, but my guess is he didn't intend to give me the license, because
he kept the harddrive. Do you agree? (He was moving and that's
why he gave his old junk away, and that's also why I can't reach him.)


OT3H, in a few years, when most people have changed to Vista and 7,
there will be loads of licenses around that no one wants, isn't that
likely?

Or at least that no one uses. Will they be selling them?

If I try to use that license years from now, will it warn me it's
still in use without screwing up the guy who was nice enough to give
me the computer?

Or should I try to track him down now?

Thanks a lot.

 

[Daave]

A friend was given a computer with XP, through a recycling list. It
has the MS Certificate of Authenticity sticker, with the Product Key,
on the bottom. It seems to me she intended to give him the XP
license also, and he can use that number if, for example, he wants to
upgrade an old computer or assemble a new computer. Do you agree?

OTOH, I was given a computer, an eMachine, but without the harddrive,
and it too has the XP C of A sticker on the bottom with the Product
Key, but my guess is he didn't intend to give me the license, because
he kept the harddrive. Do you agree? (He was moving and that's
why he gave his old junk away, and that's also why I can't reach him.)

I don't understand. The COA sticker with the Product Key *is* the
license. Are you talking about insallation CDs perhaps? Retail
installation CDs and Generic OEM (System Builder) CDs also come with
Certificates of Authenticity with Product Keys.

With regard to the first paragraph, assuming it is an OEM license, it is
tied to that computer and the EULA does not permit it to be used on any
other PC.

With regard to the second paragraph, you can install a hard drive if you
wish and install XP on it; the COA sticker is proof you have the right
to do this. I'm not sure which method the manufacturer provided to
reinstall Windows with that particular PC. Perhaps the *old* hard drive
had a hidden recovery partition. If that is the case, you would
obviously need to come up with another method. If eMachine provided
a Recovery CD, that should work. Also, a generic OEM installation CD of
the matching type of XP (e.g., Home or Pro) -- matching the license
indicated on the COA sticker, that is -- will work if you use the COA
sticker's Product Key.

OT3H, in a few years, when most people have changed to Vista and 7,
there will be loads of licenses around that no one wants, isn't that
likely?

Not pertinent if they are OEM licenses that have already been used.
Remember those licenses are not transferrable (per the EULA).

Or at least that no one uses. Will they be selling them?

If I try to use that license years from now, will it warn me it's
still in use without screwing up the guy who was nice enough to give
me the computer?

There won't be any warning if you are still using the same PC the nice
guy was using.

 

[Andrew E.]

Well that certificate is from the mfg,not microsoft,the multi-license is
for that machine only,not transferable.Also,its been registered to another
person (registered at thier home/office,with a specific
name,adress,tele-phone
nos,etc).Same with other pcs that have been pitched,for 1 reason or another.
You'd need alot more verifiable data to simply re-use the license,microsoft
does
keep very good records...

 

[ANONYMOUS]

A friend was given a computer with XP, through a recycling list. It
has the MS Certificate of Authenticity sticker, with the Product Key,
on the bottom. It seems to me she intended to give him the XP
license also, and he can use that number if, for example, he wants to
upgrade an old computer or assemble a new computer. Do you agree?

NO - he was just too lazy to do anything!

OTOH, I was given a computer, an eMachine, but without the harddrive,
and it too has the XP C of A sticker on the bottom with the Product
Key, but my guess is he didn't intend to give me the license, because
he kept the harddrive. Do you agree? (He was moving and that's
why he gave his old junk away, and that's also why I can't reach him.)

NO, he didn't want you to see his bad side like browsing child porn
and
everything. that is why he removed the Hd and destroyed it.

OT3H, in a few years, when most people have changed to Vista and 7,
there will be loads of licenses around that no one wants, isn't that
likely?

Yes but why is this f nterest to you? Don't you think you too should
move
to Win7 unless you have a very old PIII system like mine!

Or at least that no one uses. Will they be selling them?

Yes only if there are nutters and *prostitutes* like Peter Foldes
around
ready to buy clunkers and throw away items. They don't have pride in
themselves.

If I try to use that license years from now, will it warn me it's
still in use without screwing up the guy who was nice enough to give
me the computer?

Unlikely because M$ database may not exist after 2014 ( a patch will
be
issued to REPLACE activation of M$ products) and it is normally wiped
clean
every 120 days anyway. Records older than 120 days are zapped!

Or should I try to track him down now?

You can do anything you want. Peter foldes has already had his d i c
k
removed so he can now sleep other men!

 

[mm]

I don't understand. The COA sticker with the Product Key *is* the
license.

I didn't realize that!

Are you talking about insallation CDs perhaps? Retail
installation CDs and Generic OEM (System Builder) CDs also come with
Certificates of Authenticity with Product Keys.

That's all I'd seen before. I guess I'd seen computers with COA's but
I'd never looked behind one to see the sticker.

With regard to the first paragraph, assuming it is an OEM license, it is
tied to that computer and the EULA does not permit it to be used on any
other PC.

I haven't seen it, but it probably is tied to the PC. This was my
idea, not the guy who got the free computer's.

With regard to the second paragraph, you can install a hard drive if you
wish and install XP on it; the COA sticker is proof you have the right
to do this. I'm not sure which method the manufacturer provided to
reinstall Windows with that particular PC. Perhaps the *old* hard drive
had a hidden recovery partition. If that is the case, you would
obviously need to come up with another method. If eMachine provided
a Recovery CD, that should work. Also, a generic OEM installation CD of
the matching type of XP (e.g., Home or Pro) -- matching the license
indicated on the COA sticker, that is -- will work if you use the COA
sticker's Product Key.

Well, I may try that. It's actually faster than the computer I'm
using now, 800Mhz.

Not pertinent if they are OEM licenses that have already been used.
Remember those licenses are not transferrable (per the EULA).

I forgot. And when I knew, the full meaning of that didn't occur to
me.

There won't be any warning if you are still using the same PC the nice
guy was using.

You've explained that the computer had an OEM license, so he won't be
using it after all, iiuc.

And I can only use it on this one computer, which might work if things
go well.

Thanks a lot.

 

[mm]

Yes but why is this f nterest to you? Don't you think you too should
move
to Win7 unless you have a very old PIII system like mine!

I probably will be. I only moved to winXP 4 months ago, and still
have an 800 Mhz cpu.

Yes only if there are nutters and *prostitutes* like Peter Foldes
around
ready to buy clunkers and throw away items. They don't have pride in
themselves.

I think they already are. After I read what I wrote, I checked ebay
and I see they are already selling such things, like "GATEWAY Laptop
memory cover with XP Home License". From what Daave says, I think
kthat license only went with the laptop they refer to, but they're
selling it anyhow. IIRC, there is some deal that by selling it with
"hardware", they're (less?) illegal.

Unlikely because M$ database may not exist after 2014 ( a patch will
be issued to REPLACE activation of M$ products) and it is normally wiped
clean every 120 days anyway. Records older than 120 days are zapped!
Hmmm.

You can do anything you want. Peter foldes has already had his d i c
k>removed so he can now sleep other men!

Thanks, and thanks to Andrew and Daave also.

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

A friend was given a computer with XP, through a recycling list. It
has the MS Certificate of Authenticity sticker, with the Product Key,
on the bottom. It seems to me she intended to give him the XP
license also, and he can use that number if, for example, he wants to
upgrade an old computer or assemble a new computer. Do you agree?

No. There's only one number, and it's on that MS Certificate of
Authenticity sticker. *That* is the license.

OTOH, I was given a computer, an eMachine, but without the harddrive,
and it too has the XP C of A sticker on the bottom with the Product
Key, but my guess is he didn't intend to give me the license, because
he kept the harddrive. Do you agree?

No. He gave you the license.

(He was moving and that's
why he gave his old junk away, and that's also why I can't reach him.)


OT3H, in a few years, when most people have changed to Vista and 7,

These days, not many people are changing to Vista. They are changing
*from* Vista to Windows 7.

there will be loads of licenses around that no one wants, isn't that
likely?

Or at least that no one uses. Will they be selling them?

If you are talking about licenses that came with the computer (on a
sticker on the computer) be aware that these are OEM licenses. OEM
licenses are permanently tied to the first computer they are installed
on, and they may never legally be moved to another. So they may *not*
be sold.

If I try to use that license years from now, will it warn me it's
still in use without screwing up the guy who was nice enough to give
me the computer?

No. You should be able to use it. The guy probably doesn't.

 

[Daave]

I didn't realize that!


That's all I'd seen before. I guess I'd seen computers with COA's but
I'd never looked behind one to see the sticker.

Behind a PC or CD?

With desktops, I've seen COA stickers on the top or on one of the sides.
With laptops, I've seen them on the bottom or sometimes in the
compartment where the rechargeable battery is located.

I've never seen a Retail installation CD (that I can recall). I've seen
lots of OEM installation CDs. Dell-branded installation CDs don't come
with COAs (the computers themselves do, however). The COAs I have seen
with generic OEM installation CDs are not stickers. But what I usually
do is tape them to the PCs I install them on.

I haven't seen it, but it probably is tied to the PC. This was my
idea, not the guy who got the free computer's.

No "probably" in this case. That is, if that PC does indeed have an OEM
version of Windows XP installed on it, it *is* tied to the computer. So
the Product Key associated with that license may not be used (per the
EULA) on any other PC. This is not to say that others have never tried
to do just that and with success. However, it is not permitted by the
EULA.

Well, I may try that. It's actually faster than the computer I'm
using now, 800Mhz.

Sounds like a plan. You need to determine the method eMachine provided
to reinstall the OS. It is in the documentation that came with the PC.
If you don't have the documentation, you should be able to find it
online if you enter the model and model number in a search engine. If
you can't find it, tell us the model/number, and surely someone here can
help you with that.

I forgot. And when I knew, the full meaning of that didn't occur to
me.

You've explained that the computer had an OEM license, so he won't be
using it after all, iiuc.

And I can only use it on this one computer, which might work if things
go well.

Thanks a lot.

YW.

 

[Bruce Chambers]

A friend was given a computer with XP, through a recycling list. It
has the MS Certificate of Authenticity sticker, with the Product Key,
on the bottom. It seems to me she intended to give him the XP
license also,....

Whether that was intended or not is moot; the license was given to your
friend along with the computer. When the Product Key is affixed to the
computer, it means that it represents an OEM license, which is
permanently bound to the first computer on which it's installed. The
OEM license is an inseparable part of the computer. The Product Key
/is/, for all practical purposes, the license.

..... and he can use that number if, for example, he wants to
upgrade an old computer or assemble a new computer. Do you agree?

No. As stated above, an OEM license is *permanently* bound to the
first computer on which it is installed. It can _never_ be legitimately
transfered to any other computer, under _any_ circumstances.

OTOH, I was given a computer, an eMachine, but without the harddrive,
and it too has the XP C of A sticker on the bottom with the Product
Key, but my guess is he didn't intend to give me the license, because
he kept the harddrive. Do you agree?

Not at all. Remember, the Product Key *is* the license. It might
simply be that the hard drive had failed. Is there any particular
reason you can't just ask?

(He was moving and that's
why he gave his old junk away, and that's also why I can't reach him.)

If you already have the explanation, why ask here?

OT3H, in a few years, when most people have changed to Vista and 7,
there will be loads of licenses around that no one wants, isn't that
likely?

Possibly. Even probably.

Or at least that no one uses. Will they be selling them?

If those available licenses are retail licenses, they can be resold.
Naturally, used OEM licenses cannot legitimately be resold.

If I try to use that license years from now, will it warn me it's
still in use without screwing up the guy who was nice enough to give
me the computer?

Since he gave you the license along with the computer, I don't see how
your using it could possibly be construed as "... screwing up the guy
who was nice enough to give me the computer."

Or should I try to track him down now?

If he's a friend you want to stay in touch with, go ahead and track him
down, if you like. Otherwise, your conscience can be clear.



--

Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:


http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx/kb/555375

They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary
safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. ~Benjamin Franklin

Many people would rather die than think; in fact, most do. ~Bertrand Russell

The philosopher has never killed any priests, whereas the priest has
killed a great many philosophers.
~ Denis Diderot

 

[Bruce Chambers]

Well that certificate is from the mfg,not microsoft,the multi-license is
for that machine only,not transferable.Also,its been registered to another
person (registered at thier home/office,with a specific
name,adress,tele-phone
nos,etc).Same with other pcs that have been pitched,for 1 reason or another.
You'd need alot more verifiable data to simply re-use the license,microsoft
does
keep very good records...

Forgot to take your meds, again? Where /do/ you come up with such
nonsense?

--

Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:


http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx/kb/555375

They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary
safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. ~Benjamin Franklin

Many people would rather die than think; in fact, most do. ~Bertrand Russell

The philosopher has never killed any priests, whereas the priest has
killed a great many philosophers.
~ Denis Diderot

 

[Doum]

"Daave" <[email protected]> écrivait @TK2MSFTNGP04.phx.gbl:

I've never seen a Retail installation CD (that I can recall). I've seen
lots of OEM installation CDs. Dell-branded installation CDs don't come
with COAs (the computers themselves do, however). The COAs I have seen
with generic OEM installation CDs are not stickers. But what I usually
do is tape them to the PCs I install them on.

<snip>

The COAs I have seen with generic OEM installation packages ARE stickers,
you separate them from the package with a thin blade, you can then apply
them on the PC case and they will hold by themselves, no tape needed.

 

[mm]

They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary
safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. ~Benjamin Franklin

I'm sure when Ben Franklin said this, it was appropriate and worth
saying.

But in general, it's not true. Everyone except criminals deserve
both liberty and safety, and if one is forced to choose one over the
other, even if makes what others consider a bad choice, even if he
makes what he later considers a bad choice, he still deserves both.

 

[mm]

Behind a PC or CD?

Behind a PC.

With desktops, I've seen COA stickers on the top or on one of the sides.
With laptops, I've seen them on the bottom or sometimes in the
compartment where the rechargeable battery is located.

I guess I don't really see that many computers, and I don't pay much
attention when I do. ;(

I've never seen a Retail installation CD (that I can recall). I've seen
lots of OEM installation CDs. Dell-branded installation CDs don't come
with COAs (the computers themselves do, however). The COAs I have seen
with generic OEM installation CDs are not stickers. But what I usually
do is tape them to the PCs I install them on.

That's a good idea.

No "probably" in this case. That is, if that PC does indeed have an OEM
version of Windows XP installed on it, it *is* tied to the computer. So

What I meant was it proably has an OEM version of XP on it. It's
probably not a win2000 or 98 computer that was upgraded to XP with a
retail CD. But I haven't seen it an my friend is a recent refugee
from Macintosh.

the Product Key associated with that license may not be used (per the
EULA) on any other PC. This is not to say that others have never tried
to do just that and with success. However, it is not permitted by the
EULA.


Sounds like a plan. You need to determine the method eMachine provided
to reinstall the OS. It is in the documentation that came with the PC.
If you don't have the documentation, you should be able to find it
online if you enter the model and model number in a search engine. If

That sounds like a plan. I'll probably start on that tomorrow.

you can't find it, tell us the model/number, and surely someone here can
help you with that.

Thank you.

BTW, as you could tell maybe from my first questions, this didn't turn
out anything like I thought it would. My friend has less than I
thought he would have (though he's not complaining at all, and doesn't
even know what I incorrectly thought) and I may have more than I
thought I did. Well I do have more and I may be able to make use of
it. (My computer is 800 Mhz and the one without the harddrive is
about 2300.)

Thanks again.

 

[Daave]

BTW, as you could tell maybe from my first questions, this didn't turn
out anything like I thought it would. My friend has less than I
thought he would have (though he's not complaining at all, and doesn't
even know what I incorrectly thought) and I may have more than I
thought I did. Well I do have more and I may be able to make use of
it. (My computer is 800 Mhz and the one without the harddrive is
about 2300.)

Thanks again.

YW.