Which one's illegal?

[Larry LaMere]

I just bought a used laptop (Toshiba Tecra 8100) that's being sent with WinXP Pro (retail)
installed. The seller is sending the product key but not the XP disk. I suspect he's going to
install XP on his computer using the same key. So my question. Which of our installations is
illegal?

 

[Maurice N ~ MVP]

The retail XP disk & product key go together as a package. And a retail Windows is transferable. However, if transferred, the seller cannot keep the XP disk (CD) !!!
Either he sold you the laptop and XP that is on it (in which case seller must give you the CD), or, seller only sold you the laptop hardware, and he or you must wipe this XP from the laptop.

This "seller" has put both of you at risk.

 

[Kerry Brown]

I just bought a used laptop (Toshiba Tecra 8100) that's being sent
with WinXP Pro (retail) installed. The seller is sending the product
key but not the XP disk. I suspect he's going to install XP on his
computer using the same key. So my question. Which of our
installations is illegal?

http://www.microsoft.com/resources/howtotell/en/coa.mspx

Without the disk it sounds like a scam to me. Expect that at some point you
will have to purchase a legitimate copy of Windows. If the laptop is cheap
enough then it's part of the cost. If you are paying extra for XP you are
getting ripped off.

 

[Bruce Chambers]

I just bought a used laptop (Toshiba Tecra 8100) that's being sent with WinXP Pro (retail)
installed. The seller is sending the product key but not the XP disk. I suspect he's going to
install XP on his computer using the same key. So my question. Which of our installations is
illegal?

If he sends the Product Key to you as a hand-scribed (or even
type-written) note, or even a photocopy of the Key, he will not have
sent you a legitimate license. The license is attached to the
Certificate of Authenticity and the official, original Product Key
label, and must accompany the installation CD.


--

Bruce Chambers

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[Guest]

If it's a toshiba laptop, the microsoft product key is probably on a valid
sticker on the bottom of the computer. And toshiba doesn't give you a windows
xp disk with your purchase. They give you a Toshiba recovery CD with all the
software ghosted on to one disk. I'm having trouble reinstalling windows
components because of this issue. The seller isn't necessary trying to pull
a scam. He probably never had a windows cd.

 

[Kerry Brown]

If it's a retail version as specified in the OP then there was a CD at some
point.

 

[Larry LaMere]

If it's a toshiba laptop, the microsoft product key is probably on a valid
sticker on the bottom of the computer. And toshiba doesn't give you a windows
xp disk with your purchase. They give you a Toshiba recovery CD with all the
software ghosted on to one disk. I'm having trouble reinstalling windows
components because of this issue. The seller isn't necessary trying to pull
a scam. He probably never had a windows cd.

OK Leviathan, between you and Bruce I've got it. Since the license is transferable my copy is
illegal. Unless it's OEM in which case I might be able to get a copy of the recovery disk from
Toshiba.

 

[Jupiter Jones [MVP]]

Larry;
"might be able to get..."
But probably not.
You need to ask more questions or assume the laptop comes without Windows
XP.
Do not ASSUME the key is affixed to the bottom of the laptop.
In situations such as this the key is often removed if it has not already
worn off.