Re: Installation from pre-loaded Dell Windows ME

On Sun, 30 Oct 2005 13:21:08 -0800, Michael Vilain
<vilain@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:

>In article <1130706870.047413.292270@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>,
> j.williard@xxxxxxxxxxx wrote:
>
>> I've recently converted from a 5-year old Dell PC machine to a iMac G5,
>> and wanted to keep running some of my currently unsupported-in-mac
>> programs. I purchased VPC 7 intending to use the installation disk of
>> windows millennium that came with my Dell PC.
>>
>> I've install VPC 7 (step 1 of 3), but have not been able to get through
>> the Windows ME installation (step 2) - the Windows ME installation
>> stalls after the "Windows Setup Wizard" checks the machine, and then I
>> get a window that pops up and says "This version of Windows Millennium
>> Edition cannot be installed on your computer. Please obtain the
>> correct version from your computer manufacturer. Message SU0173."
>>
>> My question: is it possible to install a version of windows that came
>> pre-loaded with an old PC? The PC is now kaput, but I have every shred
>> of documentation that it came with, including the Millennium
>> installation CD, and product key. Since I then technically own a
>> license of Windows ME, I shouldn't have a problem with the installation
>> disk that I do have. Is there an easy solution to this problem, or do
>> I have to go and purchase a Windows XP upgrade? And, if I were to
>> purchase the upgrade, would that be worthless as well, since I don't
>> have a currently functional version of ME, either on a PC or my new
>> iMac (which is starting to make me feel like trading it in for a ugly
>> PC)?
>>
>> Arrrrgggh.
>>
>> Can anyone help? Anyone go down this road before?
>>
>> Thanks in advance
>
>IANAL, but wouldn't that be a licensing violation?

Yes, OEM versions are only licensed for the hardware they came with.

>You bought the PC
>which had the version of ME licensed to _it_. Buying the Mac VPC
>doesn't have an OS licensed to it, so you're possibly pirating here.
>I'm sure some friendly person from BSA and the FBI will drop by to help
>you get everything in order shortly.
>
>Licensing aside, aren't these OEM packagings of the various flavors of
>windows keyed somehow to the hardware? Could that be what you're seeing
>here? Try buying a copy of XP Home and installing it on the VPC. That
>might work better.

Generally, yes, many of the big OEMs, like Dell, modify the Windows
version included with their hardware to specifically look for Dell
BIOS or similar and will not install on different hardware.

--
Cheers,
Steve Jain, Virtual Machine MVP
http://www.essjae.com/vpc/vpc.htm
"This posting is provided "AS IS" with
no warranties, and confers no rights.
You assume all risk for your use.
I am not am employee of Microsoft."
.

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