Windows XP Fake/Fraud?

[Guest]

I recently went and ordered windows XP Pro on ebay that wasnt supposed to be
registered. I got a packet that was from a new computer with the sticker
affixed to the side. Is this type of packet legal for usage?

 

[Jupiter Jones [MVP]]

James:
Maybe, maybe not.
How to tell:
http://www.microsoft.com/resources/howtotell/ww/default.mspx

 

[Barry Watzman]

Impossible to tell for sure just from your post, but it might well be legal.

From your description, you got a copy of Windows XP Pro OEM edition.

This ***IS*** legal ***IF*** it's genuine and not counterfeit.

The question is one of authenticity more than legality, because both
legitimate and counterfeit copies of this are sold on E-Bay. But if the
seller had a high rating and has been around for a while, it's probably
a legitimate copy. They are readily available, perfectly legal, and
usually sell for about $135-$140.

At one time, these were required to be sold only with "hardware", but
apparently even this requirement has been dropped within the past 6
months. Before that, although MS apparently intended "hardware" to mean
a functional CPU, motherboard or hard drive, the "letter of the
contract" (if not the spirit of the contract) was sometimes met by
selling it with an IDE cable, a cheap mouse or a DEAD CPU, motherboard
or hard drive.

There are some limitations on this version of Windows relative to a
retail version. Primarily, there are two that are of interest to most
people:

1. This version won't do an upgrade install (e.g. Win9x, 2000 or XP
Home to XP Pro). It's intended only for a clean install on a computer
that has no OS already installed. However, it will do a "repair"
install, and it will also do an install to a blank partition on a
comuter and hard drive that has another OS already installed IN ANOTHER
PARTITION (e.g. to setup dual boot).

2. Officially, unlike retail copies, it can never legally be moved to
another computer. However, it's not clear what this really means; that
is, it's not clear what constitutes the "computer" (the sheet metal with
the sticker on it? The motherboard? The hard drive?). It's also not
clear if or how Product Activation enforces this. It's been suggested
that unlike retail copies, for which the activation database resets
after 4 months with no activity for a given product key, the database
for OEM copies NEVER resets -- but I have not been able to verify that.
It is clear that it's "more" difficult to get MS to either reactivate
an OEM copy or give you a new key when talking with them by phone. But,
again, "more difficult" doesn't mean impossible (motherboards do fail
and get replaced). So this is a big black hole, in fact it's two
separate black holes, one being the "legal" hole (just what is the
"computer") and the other being the "legalities aside" practical black
hole of product activation.

 

[Jupiter Jones [MVP]]

The OP asked if it is legal.
I answered with a reliable source.

You on the other hand feel the need to insult to prove your point.
Instead you show your own insecurities.

Your suggestion also does nothing to answer the OP question of
legality.
Why did you avoid the question?
Why do you feel the truth is irrelevant?
It is better to discover now before opening the package than later.

 

[Dave Senior]

What is legal and what is not is simply a man's concept. I would not listen to that scumbag, Jupitor Jones, who is simply reciting M$'s mantra that everyone should buy MS products avery 6 weeks!!! to be ahead of the game. howtotell will not help you to tell!! Sometimes I just wonder if these MVPs have brains that can think!

I suggest install the package, activate it online and if it is activated without any problems then it should be legal!!! Microsoft website will not activate where it has not made any money for uncle Bill!!.

If online activation fails then you have to try telephone method. I know of instances where people buy brand new products from big stores but online activation still fails but telephone method works.

Hope this helps.

James:
Maybe, maybe not.
How to tell:
http://www.microsoft.com/resources/howtotell/ww/default.mspx

--
I use non Microsoft products wherever possible which requires no activation.

I use Netscape 7.2 as my default browser which has everything I need for my work.

I believe in good Financial Management!! I do not believe in enriching rich jerks!

 

[Rock]

What is legal and what is not is simply a man's concept. I would not listen to that scumbag, Jupitor Jones, who is simply reciting M$'s mantra that everyone should buy MS products avery 6 weeks!!! to be ahead of the game. howtotell will not help you to tell!! Sometimes I just wonder if these MVPs have brains that can think!

I suggest install the package, activate it online and if it is activated without any problems then it should be legal!!! Microsoft website will not activate where it has not made any money for uncle Bill!!.

If online activation fails then you have to try telephone method. I know of instances where people buy brand new products from big stores but online activation still fails but telephone method works.

Hope this helps.






:




--
I use non Microsoft products wherever possible which requires no activation.

I use Netscape 7.2 as my default browser which has everything I need for my work.

I believe in good Financial Management!! I do not believe in enriching rich jerks!

So insulting someone and saying they are a scumbag shows you have brains?

 

[Bruce Chambers]

So insulting someone and saying they are a scumbag shows you have
brains?

Well, after all, name-calling is the only tactic available when
one knows one is wrong, has no rational argument, but doesn't want to
admit it.

--

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

 

[Frank]

One must be licensed to give legal information....PERIOD>>>

 

[Jupiter Jones [MVP]]

Frank;
Are you sure?
Define what you mean by "legal information"?
Did I give "legal information" in this post?
Do I need to be licensed to give someone a law book?
Are you suggesting I need to be licensed to refer someone to a
reliable source?