Re-using operating system from a stolen laptop

[ron6a]

I had my 3 week old Toshiba laptop stolen 4 days ago. My fault for
leaving it where it could be got to. No argument there!
My problem is I have the re-istaller disk and feel that as I bought
and paid for it, do I have the right to use it to upgrade my old
desktop pc and if so can it be done? As the Vista OS forms nearly a
quarter of the cost of the laptop and I am the legal purchaser of it,
can I make some use out of the situation or does the right to use it
pass on to the lowlife scumbag that stole it?

 

[Pegasus \(MVP\)]

I had my 3 week old Toshiba laptop stolen 4 days ago. My fault for
leaving it where it could be got to. No argument there!
My problem is I have the re-istaller disk and feel that as I bought
and paid for it, do I have the right to use it to upgrade my old
desktop pc and if so can it be done? As the Vista OS forms nearly a
quarter of the cost of the laptop and I am the legal purchaser of it,
can I make some use out of the situation or does the right to use it
pass on to the lowlife scumbag that stole it?

You would need to discuss the matter with the Microsoft
office in your area. Maybe if you send them a police report
they'll give you a new product code.

 

[Colin Barnhorst]

Unfortunately you did not buy the software. You only bought the license.

Since it is a preinstalled Vista (OEM) the license does not include the
right to transfer the software to another computer. The cost to you of a
retail (and therefore transferrable) copy would have been much higher.

If the dvd is a recovery disk it will not work on your desktop anyway.

There is also a chance that it is a BIOS-locked copy and cannot be installed
on any computer except one matching the laptop model that you lost.

Sorry if this turns out to be the case.

 

[HeyBub]

I had my 3 week old Toshiba laptop stolen 4 days ago. My fault for
leaving it where it could be got to. No argument there!
My problem is I have the re-istaller disk and feel that as I bought
and paid for it, do I have the right to use it to upgrade my old
desktop pc and if so can it be done? As the Vista OS forms nearly a
quarter of the cost of the laptop and I am the legal purchaser of it,
can I make some use out of the situation or does the right to use it
pass on to the lowlife scumbag that stole it?

No, the software goes with the machine.

On your next laptop, you might consider a software package that quietly logs
in to some tracking site. Sort of a low-jack for computers.

 

[Bob I]

You only "bought" the right to use it on that laptop. Nothing more. If
you want a license you can move from PC to PC, then you need to purchase
a retail version rather than a "OEM" as you did. Check with your
insurance agent as to the compensation for the theft.