Windows Updates????

[Eric]

I purchased a computer from a friend at work about 5
months ago and he installed a copy of Win XP professional
on it. I found out yesterday that he has installed the
same copy of Win XP on multiple computers. I guess he had
some open source copy or something, I dont quite
understand it, but I recently downloaded updates to my
computer from Microsofts website, including the newest
service pack. Now I am afraid Microsoft is going to find
out and fine me. I plan on purchasing Win XP from Best Buy
next month, but in the meantime does anyone know if when
you run windows updates if they have a way of finding out
that my copy is not an original copy or that it was being
used on other computers? I know that if anything happens I
am going to make my friend pay the fine but I dont want to
go thru the hassle. Thanks.

 

[The Unknown P]

There are ways around the product activation. All are of
course illegal. Chances are slim that Microsoft will be
bothered with a single home user. Your friend on the other
hand is another case. Your friend may have a corporate
edition which doesn't have the product activation in it.
He is violating the EULA though. This is a grey area. So
far as I know Microsoft has not tested this in the courts
and with the trillions of dollars they make I doubt they
are concerned about five hundred. I would be sure to get a
legal retail copy and install it just to be safe though.
Noone in their right mind would openly condone such
behaviour. The black market on the other hand is
flourishing. Keep smiling.

 

[Guest]

Thanks for the insight. i am going out next month to
purchase a legal copy of it.

 

[Michael Stevens]

Thanks for the insight. i am going out next month to
purchase a legal copy of it.

When you do, purchase the retail Pro version if you don't want to format and
start over fresh. See the link below on how to change the CD key after you
get a valid one.
Click on the link below, or copy and paste the link into the address box
if using the web based newsgroup.
http://michaelstevenstech.com/xpfaq.html#need2
--

Michael Stevens MS-MVP XP
(e-mail address removed)
http://michaelstevenstech.com
For a better newsgroup experience. Setup a newsreader.
http://michaelstevenstech.com/outlookexpressnewreader.htm