OEM licensing and hardware failures?

[Matt]

Is there no provision in the OEM product activation policy
for hardware failures? Here's the situation: my dad
purchased an OEM version of XP Pro, installed it on a
Presario laptop, and activated it. After four months the
IDE controller failed on that laptop, and it's out of
warranty. He's purchased a custom-built desktop now to
replace it and would like to put XP Pro on it but, of
course, he has run into the "already installed on another
machine" problem.

We'd like to know if the OEM version one-install-one-
computer policy is going to screw him on this, as it
appears designed to; or if there is any way to transfer
his XP license from the failed, unusable machine to a
working one that is not the same configuration.

Thank you.

 

[Carey Frisch [MVP]]

If you replace the failed hardware with exact replacements,
there should be no problem. If there is significant hardware
differences, then an OEM license is no longer valid.

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

Be Smart! Protect your PC!
http://www.microsoft.com/security/protect/

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


| Is there no provision in the OEM product activation policy
| for hardware failures? Here's the situation: my dad
| purchased an OEM version of XP Pro, installed it on a
| Presario laptop, and activated it. After four months the
| IDE controller failed on that laptop, and it's out of
| warranty. He's purchased a custom-built desktop now to
| replace it and would like to put XP Pro on it but, of
| course, he has run into the "already installed on another
| machine" problem.
|
| We'd like to know if the OEM version one-install-one-
| computer policy is going to screw him on this, as it
| appears designed to; or if there is any way to transfer
| his XP license from the failed, unusable machine to a
| working one that is not the same configuration.
|
| Thank you.
|

 

[Rick \Nutcase\ Rogers]

Hi,

It's one of the limitations of the OEM license that you only get to use it
on the first machine it is activated on. This is one of the (many) reasons
OEM versions are cheaper than retail versions. Sorry.

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers aka "Nutcase" MS-MVP - Windows
Windows isn't rocket science! That's my other hobby!

Associate Expert - WinXP - Expert Zone

 

[Matt]

Thank you very much for your quick responses. It is the
information I expected but unfortunate nonetheless.

Thank you very little, Microsoft, for bending over your
customers in this way. This sitation *cannot* be a rare
occurence; as I look over my 'Teach Yourself Linux' book I
wonder where I can learn more about the differences
between OEM and retail versions of Windows. Vendors
certainly don't make this clear, and these nasty surprises
are most unwelcome.


M.

 

[Wesley]

Just do it...no one will be the wiser....last time i was
here a few months ago people brought up the point that MS
will not ask for personal info on reactivation so they
cant tell the difference

 

[NetNut]

You didn't wonder why it was almost 1/2 the price?

 

[Ron Martell]

Thank you very much for your quick responses. It is the
information I expected but unfortunate nonetheless.

Thank you very little, Microsoft, for bending over your
customers in this way. This sitation *cannot* be a rare
occurence; as I look over my 'Teach Yourself Linux' book I
wonder where I can learn more about the differences
between OEM and retail versions of Windows. Vendors
certainly don't make this clear, and these nasty surprises
are most unwelcome.

See http://onlinehelp.bc.ca/oem_software.htm

Hope this is the information you were looking for.

Good luck


Ron Martell Duncan B.C. Canada
--
Microsoft MVP
On-Line Help Computer Service
http://onlinehelp.bc.ca

"The reason computer chips are so small is computers don't eat much."

 

[Gary R.]

In this case, I think you're blaming the wrong person. Your dad probably,
understandably wanted the cheaper version, but if he was upgrading he should
have bought the upgrade to XP instead of the full OEM. If he got an OS disk
with the dead laptop, he'd be able to install the upgrade on his new machine
and use the old disk for proof of ownership.

I'm not a huge fan of the activation idea, but I did run across an XP-OEM
Gateway computer with a failed motherboard, and I replaced the MB/CPU with
entirely different...Intel to Athlon...models, and there was no problem with
activation except I had to call in and explain what had happened. Very
polite, no hassle.

I hope you have better results with your Linux book than I did. I had one a
few years back, Sam's "learn Linux in 24 hours". I assume they didn't mean
Earth-hours...8^)

Gary

 

[kurttrail]

Is there no provision in the OEM product activation policy
for hardware failures? Here's the situation: my dad
purchased an OEM version of XP Pro, installed it on a
Presario laptop, and activated it. After four months the
IDE controller failed on that laptop, and it's out of
warranty. He's purchased a custom-built desktop now to
replace it and would like to put XP Pro on it but, of
course, he has run into the "already installed on another
machine" problem.

We'd like to know if the OEM version one-install-one-
computer policy is going to screw him on this, as it
appears designed to; or if there is any way to transfer
his XP license from the failed, unusable machine to a
working one that is not the same configuration.

Thank you.

Jut do the phone activation, and don't tell the bastards any information
other that the installation ID.

"The only information required to activate is an installation ID (and, for
Office XP and Office XP family products such as Visio 2002, the name of the
country in which the product is being installed)." -
http://www.microsoft.com/piracy/basics/activation/mpafaq.asp#details

"The installation ID is made up of two components: the software's product ID
and a hardware hash value. The product ID is unique to that software
installation and is generated from the product key used during installation.
(For Windows XP SP1 and Office 2003 installations only, the product key is
also sent as part of activation in order to deter product key cracks). The
hardware hash value is a nonunique representation of the PC on which the
software was installed. It is called a hash value because it has no direct
correlation to the PC and cannot be backward-calculated to the original
value. When displayed to a customer for a telephone activation, the
Installation ID is displayed as a 50-digit code (54 digits for Windows XP
SP1 and Office 2003 activations)." -
http://www.microsoft.com/piracy/basics/activation/mpafaq.asp#details

Even by MS's own policies, it is none of MS's business to know what your dad
does with his copy of software.

"Any individual may reproduce a copyrighted work for a "fair use"; the
copyright owner does not possess the exclusive right to such a use." - US
Supreme Court

And even under the law, MS has no right to limit your dad's "fair use" of
his copy of copyrighted material.

An educated consumer can protect themselves from the greedy abuses of the
corporate copyright elite.

--
Peace!
Kurt
Self-anointed Moderator
microscum.pubic.windowsexp.gonorrhea
http://microscum.com
"Trustworthy Computing" is only another example of an Oxymoron!
"Produkt-Aktivierung macht frei!"

 

[Rick \Nutcase\ Rogers]

Somehow I just knew I'd see you in this thread...<g>

The problem here isn't MS's fair use policy, it's the limitation of the OEM
license. The consumer saved a few $'s by choosing one, and now is facing the
implications of that choice. MS's fair use policy for thier supported retail
versions would certainly allow for activation, it's the "I'm gonna get the
cheaper OEM full version, after all it's the same thing" licensing that has
bit the consumer in the a** here. This isn't an activation issue so much as
it is an OEM licensing issue.

Frankly, I'd just try it anyways, as it may go right through. A phone call
wouldn't hurt either, most times a quick explanation will get an activation
code.

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers aka "Nutcase" MS-MVP - Windows
Windows isn't rocket science! That's my other hobby!

Associate Expert - WinXP - Expert Zone

 

[Rick \Nutcase\ Rogers]

It's not Microsoft that is bending you over, it's the selection of
unsupported OEM versions instead of retail that is. This is a choice that
was made by the consumer, and this is a reality of that choice.

As I mentioned in another response, I would try the activation anyhow, as it
may still go through. At worst, he makes a phone call and gets denied
(though this happens less than you might think) and has to go and get
another copy.

Teach yourself Linux? Good luck, I've been working with and learning it for
more years than you want to know, and I still find Windows (any version)
easier. Until the 'nix people get away from command line for intricate
operations, it will never make it as a mainstream product for the masses.
Great for the geek in all of us, but right now that's as far as it will go.

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers aka "Nutcase" MS-MVP - Windows
Windows isn't rocket science! That's my other hobby!

Associate Expert - WinXP - Expert Zone

 

[kurttrail]

It's not Microsoft that is bending you over, it's the selection of
unsupported OEM versions instead of retail that is. This is a choice
that was made by the consumer, and this is a reality of that choice.

As I mentioned in another response, I would try the activation
anyhow, as it may still go through. At worst, he makes a phone call
and gets denied (though this happens less than you might think) and
has to go and get another copy.

Teach yourself Linux? Good luck, I've been working with and learning
it for more years than you want to know, and I still find Windows
(any version) easier. Until the 'nix people get away from command
line for intricate operations, it will never make it as a mainstream
product for the masses. Great for the geek in all of us, but right
now that's as far as it will go.

To me, it's disingenuous of MS to tell an individual what they can do with
their legally purchase software that MS doesn't even support.

But I generally agree with you on Linux.

--
Peace!
Kurt
Self-anointed Moderator
microscum.pubic.windowsexp.gonorrhea
http://microscum.com
"Trustworthy Computing" is only another example of an Oxymoron!
"Produkt-Aktivierung macht frei!"

 

[kurttrail]

Somehow I just knew I'd see you in this thread...<g>

The problem here isn't MS's fair use policy, it's the limitation of
the OEM license. The consumer saved a few $'s by choosing one, and
now is facing the implications of that choice. MS's fair use policy
for thier supported retail versions would certainly allow for
activation, it's the "I'm gonna get the cheaper OEM full version,
after all it's the same thing" licensing that has bit the consumer in
the a** here. This isn't an activation issue so much as it is an OEM
licensing issue.

Yes, but it has yet to be determined that a post-sale license can limit an
*individual* can so with their copy of copyrighted material, so like SCO's
interpretation of its UNIX license with IBM, it's really the individual
choice unless MS is willing to prove differently.

Frankly, I'd just try it anyways, as it may go right through. A phone
call wouldn't hurt either, most times a quick explanation will get an
activation code.

Practical. I quite willing to agree to disagree over the legal aspects, as
even I admit, it really hasn't been determined one way or another.

I also believe as a matter of practicality, in a real sense, the OP's dad
only wants to use his own OEM XP on his own computer, and what hardware
happens to makes up his computer today really shouldn't be any of MS's
concern.

Thanks Rick, I really appreciate that you that replied to me with your
opinion, instead of the replies I normally receive around here.

--
Peace!
Kurt
Self-anointed Moderator
microscum.pubic.windowsexp.gonorrhea
http://microscum.com
"Trustworthy Computing" is only another example of an Oxymoron!
"Produkt-Aktivierung macht frei!"

 

[Tom]

Teach yourself Linux? Good luck, I've been working with and learning it for
more years than you want to know, and I still find Windows (any version)
easier. Until the 'nix people get away from command line for intricate
operations, it will never make it as a mainstream product for the masses.
Great for the geek in all of us, but right now that's as far as it will go.

That depends on what distro you use. Mandrake's newer versions (especially
9.0, and the newest 10.0) are virtually all GUI based, as is the Suse 8.1
through the newest 9 versions. They run really well, and are rock solid. I
don't use them anymore, because some of the better software's available are
still not written to work with those versions, so it isn't practical for me
to use. But almost all of the latest and greatest hardware devices run on
them perfectly.

I am not happy with the choices of decent office product though, as I have
yet to see anything work as well and do as much for the money as MS Office
products do. Though Suse is free, I wouldn't recommend it for the novice to
download, and install, that can get tricky, and it cost (I think) around $79
for the disk, but you get tech support. Mandrake best version cost about
$380 to the novice version at $50.

 

[Alex Nichol]

Is there no provision in the OEM product activation policy
for hardware failures? Here's the situation: my dad
purchased an OEM version of XP Pro, installed it on a
Presario laptop, and activated it. After four months the
IDE controller failed on that laptop, and it's out of
warranty. He's purchased a custom-built desktop now to
replace it and would like to put XP Pro on it but, of
course, he has run into the "already installed on another
machine" problem.

We'd like to know if the OEM version one-install-one-
computer policy is going to screw him on this,

Yes it is. One reason for OEM versions being substantially cheaper is
this lack of transfer rights. Under any circumstances

 

[Woody]

or say screw that , if the initial activation was more than 120 days ago
your activation will go right through , if less than 120 days just activate
by phone and tell them your harddrive failed and you had to replace it .
thats all there is to it .

 

[Rick \Nutcase\ Rogers]

Hi Tom,

Yep, I've run the Mandrake versions and tried the GUI, and it's not too bad
until you try to do something other than use the programs (add/remove
hardware, change configurations, debug something, software conflicts), then
it becomes a nightmare. A user who has trouble understanding how to use a
EXPAND command from a Win CMD prompt would be utterly and hopelessly lost.

By the way, have you seen how many security patches it takes for Mandrake9
to be "secure" against known exploits? It will boggle your mind, and
updating Linux makes WindowsUpdate look like a picnic.

You really want to have fun? Try Solaris server.

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers aka "Nutcase" MS-MVP - Windows
Windows isn't rocket science! That's my other hobby!

Associate Expert - WinXP - Expert Zone

 

[Bruce Chambers]

Greetings --

The OEM licensing permits repairs to the system on which it's
installed. Simply repair/replace the Compaq laptop' motherboard, and
continue using the WinXP installation.

But no, the OEM license _cannot_ be legally transferred to a new
computer. This limitation is one of the reasons the OEM license costs
significantly less than a retail license.

Bruce Chambers

--
Help us help you:




You can have peace. Or you can have freedom. Don't ever count on
having both at once. -- RAH

 

[Bruce Chambers]

Greetings --

Why blame Microsoft for your father's conscious decision to
purchase the lower-priced OEM license, whose limitations are well
known, and clearly stated within the EULA. OEM licenses are
considerably less expensive than retail licenses, and with the lower
cost comes lower flexibility; with software, as with everything else
in life, you generally get what you pay for, and no more.

Bruce Chambers

--
Help us help you:




You can have peace. Or you can have freedom. Don't ever count on
having both at once. -- RAH