Re: transferring Windows XP onto a rebuild computer

On Tue, 25 Mar 2008 21:32:36 -0400, "Alan" <somewhere@xxxxxxxxxx>
wrote:

Hi Ken,

So, to use Bruce's tongue-in-cheek comment, it looks as if so long as the
computer's case is the same, there's no problem deciding what a 'new'
computer is anymore. :>



My only point here is that Microsoft, who had long been silent on this
issue, has finally spoken up on it recently. Given that statement of
theirs, my interpretation is that the claim that changing the
motherboard means that it is no longer the same computer (which many
people have made in these newsgroups) is false.

Beyond that, I don't claim to know what Microsoft considers to be the
same computer, nor whether any claim of theirs would stand up in
court, if it came to that.

By the way, Bruce's comment about those speaking tongue in cheek about
the motherboard defining the computer refers to several posts I've
made in the past. He's referring to this statement (or a similar one)
that I've made in the newsgroups numbers of times:

"My own view is that you might be able to successfully argue in court
that, silly as it may sound, the computer is defined by the case,
since that's where Microsoft requires that the product key sticker be
affixed. You could therefore change everything inside the case, and it
would still be the same computer."

Note the phrase "might be able" in that quotation. I'm not a lawyer,
and can't guarantee that that's correct.




"Ken Blake, MVP" <kblake@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:0d8ju3pa7pt9a8kopjdj3v5nv4k3sbtrq0@xxxxxxxxxx
On Tue, 25 Mar 2008 20:44:22 -0400, "Alan" <somewhere@xxxxxxxxxx>
wrote:

Hello Bill,

The EULA licensing issue -- and regarding what constitutes a computer, or
a
'new' computer -- has been kicking around for a long time. And the
reality
is that Microsoft has never really defined it, nor have they tried
testing
their vague words in any legal venue.


Not quite true any more. Have you seen
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/windowsvista/buyorupgrade/a...
or http://tinyurl.com/384gx5

which says,

"If you acquired Windows Vista pre-installed on a computer from a
major manufacturer (sometimes referred to as an Original Equipment
Manufacturer or OEM), Windows Vista will require re-activation if you
replace the motherboard with a motherboard not provided by the OEM."

It's about Vista in particular, not XP, but I assume if they say it
about Vista, the same very likely applies to Windows XP. Since
replacing a motherboard requires reactivation, that implies that
replacing the motherboard and using the same OEM copy of Windows *is*
permitted by the EULA.


--
Ken Blake, Microsoft MVP - Windows Desktop Experience
Please Reply to the Newsgroup


--
Ken Blake, Microsoft MVP - Windows Desktop Experience
Please Reply to the Newsgroup
.

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