Re: replacing Vista with XP/w2k and possible problems with drivers

Tech-Archive recommends: Speed Up your PC by fixing your registry

aa wrote:


That was exactly the source of my worry. They now have a stick on all the
computers Recommended for VISTA or something like that.


I believe the most common sticker actually says "*Designed* for Vista."



Also do you know if it is legally OK to buy, say, on ebay that OEM XP ? Will
MS give support to such an installation?


Assuming that it's an unbranded, generic OEM license that has *NEVER* been installed on any computer, yes. An OEM license, once installed, is not legally transferable to another computer under _any_ circumstances.

However, one should be very careful buying any software on eBay, as eBay makes no prior effort to ensure that such sales are legitimate. The problems stem from two different sources, but have the same results: the buyer gets ripped off. A great many people don't fully understand the terms of the license they own, and don't understand that they cannot legitimately resell it, and - worse still - there are a great many sellers who do know that they're selling bogus licenses. eBay reacts only when someone files a complaint, and then all that really happens, especially in the case of the many deliberate fraudsters, is the seller of the pirated software returns using a different alias, to continue selling illegitimate licenses.


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Bruce Chambers

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Relevant Pages

  • Re: help on how to purchase a license
    ... Getting a legitimate license of any kind from eBay is something of a crap shoot. ... A great many people don't fully understand the terms of the license they own, and don't understand that they cannot legitimately resell it, and - worse still - there are a great many sellers who do know that they're selling bogus licenses. ... states oem and coa I'm not sure what that means. ... This would include such issues as lost a Product Key or replacing damaged installation media. ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.help_and_support)
  • Re: XP Pro w/ Sp2 OEM
    ... One should be very careful buying any software on eBay, as eBay makes no prior effort to ensure that such sales are legitimate. ... A great many people don't fully understand the terms of the license they own, and don't understand that they cannot legitimately resell it, and - worse still - there are a great many sellers who do know that they're selling bogus licenses. ... The only thing is it is an OEM version. ... It can still be used to perform a repair installation of an existing WinXP installation. ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.help_and_support)
  • Re: Buying New Windows XP Professional
    ... This is an unused Genuine OEM copy of Microsoft Windows XP Professional ... keeping with Ebay and Microsoft's OEM policies. ... There are some very important reasons that an OEM license costs so ... replacing damaged installation media. ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.basics)
  • Re: Installing from ultimate 32bit OEM to x64 ultimate?
    ... There'd be no point to backing up the "entire system," unless your goal is to restore the original 32-bit installation. ... You need to purchase a separate Vista license for each computer on which you install it. ... Now, if you purchase a retail license for the 64-bit Vista Ultimate, you're permitted to remove it from the first computer and then install it onto a new machine. ... The philosopher has never killed any priests, whereas the priest has killed a great many philosophers. ...
    (microsoft.public.windows.vista.installation_setup)
  • Re: Installing XP & Key code question
    ... One should be very careful buying any software on eBay, as eBay makes no prior effort to ensure that such sales are legitimate. ... A great many people don't fully understand the terms of the license they own, and don't understand that they cannot legitimately resell it, and - worse still - there are a great many sellers who do know that they're selling bogus licenses. ... It might cost a bit more, but you'd be sure of getting a legitimate license by going to a reputable on-line vendor, such as NewEgg or Amazon. ... The philosopher has never killed any priests, whereas the priest has killed a great many philosophers. ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.general)