XP The right to distribute ?
Psychophysiological entity
Thread Starter
XP The right to distribute ?
I spent some time looking at OSs and hard-drives yesterday. Costly, for a 'retrograde' step. By chance I came by some copies of XP.
It wasn't quite as simple as that, the vendor was distributing the software with his services...to his clients. It seemed that it was based on a corporate master disc that he has been given rights to. Each copy is recorded back at MS and is kosher...so it is claimed.
Given that XP sales are still very active, I find it hard to believe that this supply could be legal. Any ideas?
It wasn't quite as simple as that, the vendor was distributing the software with his services...to his clients. It seemed that it was based on a corporate master disc that he has been given rights to. Each copy is recorded back at MS and is kosher...so it is claimed.
Given that XP sales are still very active, I find it hard to believe that this supply could be legal. Any ideas?
Spoon PPRuNerist & Mad Inistrator
As XP was withdrawn as a retail package some time ago, perhaps some surplus stock is being given away? But that doesn't accord with the "copies of a corporate master disk" you mentioned.
I must say I am struggling to see how what you describe would otherwise be legit!
I believe that there are 3 kinds of license:
1) Full retail, in which case the disk should not be copied by a 3rd party.
2) OEM, in which case the software is only supposed to be distributed pre-installed on a new PC (although this is sufficiently gray as to be open to "interpretation").
3) a volume license agreement, such as a company or organization would use to license all the software on its PCs and servers.
Only (2) above would perhaps be applicable - if the vendor has acquired multiple licenses from MS for pre-installation, but has elected to give them away at no cost. It is still quite dubious as to the legality of using an OEM license in this way.
Can you provide any further information?
SD
I must say I am struggling to see how what you describe would otherwise be legit!
I believe that there are 3 kinds of license:
1) Full retail, in which case the disk should not be copied by a 3rd party.
2) OEM, in which case the software is only supposed to be distributed pre-installed on a new PC (although this is sufficiently gray as to be open to "interpretation").
3) a volume license agreement, such as a company or organization would use to license all the software on its PCs and servers.
Only (2) above would perhaps be applicable - if the vendor has acquired multiple licenses from MS for pre-installation, but has elected to give them away at no cost. It is still quite dubious as to the legality of using an OEM license in this way.
Can you provide any further information?
SD
Psychophysiological entity
Thread Starter
I'm slowly gleaning information, but I suppose one way would be to get a copy and see if it gets the appropriate upgrades.
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You can buy OEM versions of the software. Microsoft says you must be building a computer, or something along those lines. Most places that sell OEM copies require you to buy a hardware component as well. They claim this meets Microsoft's rules. Whether that is a gray area or not doesn't really matter to me. I buy licensed copies from authorized sales agents, how they comply with Microsoft is between themselves and Microsoft.
Just so you don't get surprised, if you buy an OEM version as a so called builder then if you have a problem don't contact Microsoft. They will refer you to the builder, and you already know him. You will get full access to the upgrades and service packs, just no tech help if you have an issue.
OEM versions of XP Pro run around $140.00 in the States. They are available over here as well for a bit more, but with the dollar in the dumps I prefer to buy over there.
Just so you don't get surprised, if you buy an OEM version as a so called builder then if you have a problem don't contact Microsoft. They will refer you to the builder, and you already know him. You will get full access to the upgrades and service packs, just no tech help if you have an issue.
OEM versions of XP Pro run around $140.00 in the States. They are available over here as well for a bit more, but with the dollar in the dumps I prefer to buy over there.
Psychophysiological entity
Thread Starter
Can I get into the software to see the true code number, and other details?
I got talking to my son last night. His uni has one disc and pays quite a lot for the issue to the faculty of licensed copies. Although he has no need of it, he could bring it home or indeed anywhere, in the course of his work.
I suppose in a way, this gets quite close to what he was saying.
I wonder what MS gets out of the deal. i e I would have thought that each copy would have had either a fee to MS, or the initial cost of his 'license' would have been huge. Which I doubt.
I got talking to my son last night. His uni has one disc and pays quite a lot for the issue to the faculty of licensed copies. Although he has no need of it, he could bring it home or indeed anywhere, in the course of his work.
You can buy OEM versions of the software. Microsoft says you must be building a computer, or something along those lines. Most places that sell OEM copies require you to buy a hardware component as well.
I wonder what MS gets out of the deal. i e I would have thought that each copy would have had either a fee to MS, or the initial cost of his 'license' would have been huge. Which I doubt.
Spoon PPRuNerist & Mad Inistrator
His uni has one disc and pays quite a lot for the issue to the faculty of licensed copies.
This version allows multiple installations to be made using the same license key (simplifying management of a large number of PCs). The installation does not, normally have to be activated.
The organisation then pays MS monthly or annually for the actual number of licenses for each product in use.
How that is calculated and charged for is another discussion entirely - people make a living out of understanding volume license agreements!!
The point is though, that the installation media should not be copied (except for the purpose of backup), given away or sold, and neither should the license keys.
That is quite different to the OEM license, where each license is a separate entity, bought individually (although ostensibly with a PC or component). I am not clear about the relationship between the license and the physical installation media, as it is not always supplied with the license, as you probably know.
It is not possible to use the Volume license to install an OEM or retail version, and vice-versa.
SD
Psychophysiological entity
Thread Starter
One will have a serious talk with this young man...if ever he returns. In the mean time I'll start a new thread about the software itself so that this discussion can be resumed later and stay on topic.
Psychophysiological entity
Thread Starter
Ah, one will sneak a look at that when I've done the yard work. 7m at home and this yard looks like a jungle.
Probably illegal. Possibly counterfeit:
The fake Windows XP problem
Recent counterfeits have cracked WGA and the COAs look very authentic.
The fake Windows XP problem
Recent counterfeits have cracked WGA and the COAs look very authentic.
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In all cases i can think of, you always get a COA sticker...
Even my Uni has a sticker on each and every machine...
The disc you talk of is used by orgs such as Unis and system builders, but doesnt really offer much in the way of a discount from M$
So if someone is "giving" these away, i would stay well clear as it doesnt make economic sense...
Would be ok to put OEM on a new HDD as OEM can be distributer via the means of any new hardware and additions subject to some restrictions...
I know of people who have used fake WIN XP Pro/Home since day one, and they have no issues unless they want to download any new updates direct from M$, in whichcase they turn to the many hacked updates out there
Even my Uni has a sticker on each and every machine...
The disc you talk of is used by orgs such as Unis and system builders, but doesnt really offer much in the way of a discount from M$
So if someone is "giving" these away, i would stay well clear as it doesnt make economic sense...
Would be ok to put OEM on a new HDD as OEM can be distributer via the means of any new hardware and additions subject to some restrictions...
I know of people who have used fake WIN XP Pro/Home since day one, and they have no issues unless they want to download any new updates direct from M$, in whichcase they turn to the many hacked updates out there
Just suppose that the crackers were not merely greedy and lazy but were instead greedy, hard-working and exceptionally bright. Would you really want to chance using such a cracked installation CD for your online banking &c.? I wouldn't even have allowed FCKGW Internet access (though I might have used it on a permanently offline media or gaming PC). But then again a combination of irremediable ignorance and indelible experience has made me a paranoiac.
Psychophysiological entity
Thread Starter
Well, I'm not loading any software on the drive, just looking out of curiosity. I have to say, once the novelty has worn off, the tedium of setting up a new disc is just plain slog.
I had intended sending it to a pal in UK who has a lifetime on mainframes. He loves these little mysteries.
I agree that it wouldn't be a mystery if it wasn't for the registration going normally, well almost, and the updates, seemingly arriving smoothly.
The almost on the registration, is that it went through as promised without entering a code. Then, when I wanted to do a fix on the drive letters, putting it in eventually prompted a demand for the number.
I did a quick format on C: and away it went again.
If nothing else, it has given me an insight to the OS that I want, but some of my ideas about setting out the logical drives are a waste of time. C: for the operating system and a few odds, then D: for programs and E: for me stuff. In this modern world it doesn't seem to work. So much stuff gets thrown at C: without prompting or an Advanced option and anyway, the dives are so quick and large, that reducing capacity for performance is somewhat pointless.
Mind you, putting the old recover disc onto the new drive...my son did it, but had to hail HP for help.
I had intended sending it to a pal in UK who has a lifetime on mainframes. He loves these little mysteries.
I agree that it wouldn't be a mystery if it wasn't for the registration going normally, well almost, and the updates, seemingly arriving smoothly.
The almost on the registration, is that it went through as promised without entering a code. Then, when I wanted to do a fix on the drive letters, putting it in eventually prompted a demand for the number.
I did a quick format on C: and away it went again.
If nothing else, it has given me an insight to the OS that I want, but some of my ideas about setting out the logical drives are a waste of time. C: for the operating system and a few odds, then D: for programs and E: for me stuff. In this modern world it doesn't seem to work. So much stuff gets thrown at C: without prompting or an Advanced option and anyway, the dives are so quick and large, that reducing capacity for performance is somewhat pointless.
Mind you, putting the old recover disc onto the new drive...my son did it, but had to hail HP for help.
Partitioning
I once sat and waited forever while XP forced a surface scan on a mere 160 gigabytes worth of C: drive, so I think your ideas on partitioning still hold good. It also makes backing-up your freshly updated Windows installation with disk imaging software (to another partition or drive) so much quicker and easier (I have System Restore permanently disabled).
Agreed, though, that custom software installations are getting very tedious (but, yes, still worthwhile as so much of a package can be useless bloat). And it's certainly nice to know that user generated data is stored safely on another partitition (or even on a second drive) well away from Windows...mine just gets copied from there en bloc to DVD-RAM whenever I remember to do it or when paranoia strikes.
I wonder whether an Insurer would indemnify a very large online financial loss if their investigator discovered that one was using an 'illegal' copy of Windows; might they not claim contributory negligence (any excuse not to pay out)? Would a hull loss be fully indemnified if counterfeit or stolen spares were found to have been been used? Sorry, thread drift and not my area of expertise anyway.
Agreed, though, that custom software installations are getting very tedious (but, yes, still worthwhile as so much of a package can be useless bloat). And it's certainly nice to know that user generated data is stored safely on another partitition (or even on a second drive) well away from Windows...mine just gets copied from there en bloc to DVD-RAM whenever I remember to do it or when paranoia strikes.
I wonder whether an Insurer would indemnify a very large online financial loss if their investigator discovered that one was using an 'illegal' copy of Windows; might they not claim contributory negligence (any excuse not to pay out)? Would a hull loss be fully indemnified if counterfeit or stolen spares were found to have been been used? Sorry, thread drift and not my area of expertise anyway.
