Re: Do I have to buy this copy of windows?
From: Shenan Stanley (news_helper_at_hushmail.com)
Date: 03/22/04
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Date: Mon, 22 Mar 2004 16:16:08 -0600
Sam wrote:
> After receiving zero cooperation from the vendor, I got hold of a copy
> of Windows XP from a friend (since the vendor's copy was useless, it
> just gave me the option to reformat my hard drive).
>
> I finally gave up the ghost and made a fresh windows install over the
> existing one.
>
> So, now I at least now I can access all of my hard drive data.
> But - I'm now getting a nag prompt to register this version of
> Windows XP within 30 days. What does this mean? I've already paid
> for the OS twice - once when I bought the computer, and again when
> I re-purchased the (useless) start-up disk from the vendor. Do I
> have to pay for XP Home a third time???
Shenan Stanley wrote:
> No. You have to REACTIVATE as it is telling you.
> This is to prevent you from installing the same copy on multiple
> computers. You owe no more money, just activate it. If it has been
> more than 120 days since you activated, you should have no problem
> activating over the Internet.
> If not, you may have to actually activate by phone.
Sam wrote:
> Right, but I "borrowed" this one from a friend in the computer
> business. There is a distinct possibility that it *is* active
> somewhere.
Oh, I misunderstood. I thought when you said you "made a fresh install",
you used your copy. Well then, I am surprised you even have to ask.
Technically, by the terms of the EULA which you agreed to while installing
your "friends" copy - yes, you would have to purchase another copy. The
original CD you got with the machine is an OEM and this CD is not.
If you want a legal loophole, there is not one if you consider the EULA a
legal document which by installing, you agreed to.
If you want a way where you don't have to buy a license for the copy you
have installed now or where you can install your copy over the one you have
now and activate it instead, technically, there is not one.
Your best bet is to (since you can access the data now) burn your data to
CD/DVD or get it off the machine's first hard drive in some way (you have a
computer friend who can loan you a copy of his CD, he must have an extra
hard drive or be able to allow you to use a network for a while or even
(best) allow you to GHOST what you have, reinstall with your copy, and copy
the ghost image file (along with Ghost Explorer) to your machine until you
get all of your files back) and reinstall your copy from scratch. The copy
you have installed now *is* different than your copy "according to the
EULA", and if you have any faith in the EULA as a legal document, you are
bound by it.
All that is a moral issue, however. Technically, you could probably get
away with activating the copy you have on the machine if thta copy has not
been activated in 120+ days or you feel like telling some story to the
people on the other end of the phone conversations if you call to activate.
*shrug*
Up to you.
-- <- Shenan -> --
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