Re: 1 XP Pro CD with 2 lic. keys on 2 computers?

From: tiger (tiger_at_discussions.microsoft.com)
Date: 07/23/04 

Date: Fri, 23 Jul 2004 11:08:12 -0700

I just called and spoke with my computer guy and this is
what he said:

1. He says I can reinstall my OEM version of Windows a
reasonable amount of times (a few times) for a hard drive
upgrade (due to a crash or something like that). He said
it will be up to Microsoft to accept the activation and
they usually do because they know that crashes happen. He
said if I try to activate too many times, Microsoft will
not accept it because more than likely I'm trying to
install it into someone else's computer. What do you think?

2. He also said that the way he installs this OEM version
of XP Pro software is more open than Dell or EMachines for
instance in that I can reinstall it to my computer if
something were to happen in the future (see above). He
again said I can install it to my 2nd computer terminal
here at home and then activate it with the new key that I
am going to purchase from him on Monday. Does this sound
right? I asked if there were different OEM versions and he
said, "No, it's all in the way that they are installed
into the computer."

3. I asked about support, and he said that Microsoft does
not technically support OEM versions because that is his
job to do so since he sold me the product. He reiterated
that he'll always support us with any problems.

4. Asked why he doesn't give the Microsoft hologram CD
with the COAs, and he said that he is allowed to burn the
CD because he builds computers and this is a way to save
customer's money. I'm not sure if I believe this since I
saw otherwise on the Microsoft website, but this is all he
would tell me.

At this point my husband and I are confused. I'm not sure
what to believe at this point since some of the answers on
this board are contrary to what he is saying as well as on
the Microsoft website. I wish there was a way I could call
or email Microsoft with my questions. Is this possible?

Any suggestions as to what I should do now? Tiger

>-----Original Message-----
>He's already lied to you a number of times. For instance,
MS doesn't sell
>product directly to computer stores. Second, it's
completely against the MS
>agreement for stores to burn copies of Windows and sell
them with individual
>keys. If he's not getting MSs CDs and selling them with
their original keys,
>he's doing something illegal.
>
>Figure that he's not going to be in business very long.
>
>Your key may be coming up as valid, but that may just
mean that it hasn't
>been filtered out yet. Or he may have a crop of stolen
stickers that are
>good numbers, but still illegal.
>
>I'd worry about doing business with this guy. If he's
willing to blatantly
>steal from Microsoft, what makes you think he'd deal
fairly with you? Or if
>he's being duped by whoever he's buying product from,
then he's not so
>bright.
>
>As far as the fancy MS certificates, don't be so
impressed. It means he's
>been to seminars or whatever; it doesn't really prove
anything.
>
>"tiger" <tiger@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
>news:2f3401c470c6$29a63350$a501280a@phx.gbl...
>> Good suggestion! Actually, the price is the same with or
>> without the CD as he basically burns them for free (he
>> also doesn't automatically preload any of his systems
with
>> XP OEM versions, only sells full versions for new
>> computers or upgrades if needed). We pay full price for
>> each licence key (which is an actual coloured key
>> Microsoft certificate) that he attaches right to the CD
>> case.
>>
>> Just for my own info, I've been reading about OEM
>> versions, retail versions, etc... So what type of
version
>> would this be? Is it only something that certain
computer
>> techs have access to? It's very popular at his store as
>> he is waiting on his 2nd shipment from Microsoft of the
>> week, so I can't even buy my additional key today
anyway.
>>
>> Thanks, Tiger
>>
>> >-----Original Message-----
>> >If I were you, I would insist on getting the Windows
XP CD
>> >along with the Product Key. Otherwise, if you have an
>> issue
>> >installing Windows XP, you'll be out the price you paid
>> for
>> >only purchasing the Product Key.
>> >
>> >Is Your Copy of Windows Legal?
>>
>http://www.microsoft.com/resources/howtotell/ww/windows/de
>> fault.mspx
>> >
>> >--
>> >Carey Frisch
>> >Microsoft MVP
>> >Windows XP - Shell/User
>> >
>> >Be Smart! Protect your PC!
>> >http://www.microsoft.com/security/protect/
>> >
>> >------------------------------------------------------- 

---
>> -----------------
>> >
>> >"Tiger" <tiger@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in
>> message:
>> > news:2dcd01c470c1$fe94f330$a301280a@phx.gbl...
>> >
>> >| As a new XP Pro user, now with 2 home computers, I've
>> >| posted quite a bit over the past week and have been
>> very
>> >| grateful for all of the help that I've recevied.  
That
>> >| being said, I have another question, so here's some
>> info -
>> >| Just purchased new system with XP Pro CD & Key.  Need
>> to
>> >| purchase another XP Pro key today for 2nd system (was
>> >| using Win98).  Called my computer guy and this is 
what
>> he
>> >| does:
>> >|
>> >| He is an official Microsoft agent and so he is able 
to
>> >| sell full version CD and licence keys (I saw the
>> shipment
>> >| arrive from Microsoft) without box that he gets
>> straight
>> >| from Microsoft at a reduced price.  He said I only 
need
>> 1
>> >| CD (the one I already purchased for new computer), 
but
>> I
>> >| will obviously need another licence key.  Does this
>> sound
>> >| right?  I am going today and want to make sure that I
>> get
>> >| everything that I need so that I don't have to go 
back
>> to
>> >| his shop for another CD.
>> >|
>> >| I really do trust him as he is quite knowledgeable 
and
>> >| doesn't hide anything - plus, he has a lot of
>> >| certifications on the walls (Microsoft, etc...) I 
know
>> >| that with XP the licence key and activation are very
>> >| important, so I just want to double-check on the
>> process.
>> >|
>> >| Thanks, Tiger
>> >.
>> >
>
>
>.
>

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