[namenotfound]

They seem overly paranoid with piracy. To the point that you need a "product key" to active Windows.... which wouldn't be so bad if you could use the key on more than one computer!

That's the part that really bugs me. Let's say I had two WinXP Home computers, and I wanted to upgrade to Pro on both. I'd have to buy TWO copies for two keys. This is total BS!

What do you think? Do you think Microsoft should allow you to install Windows on more than one computer?

What do you think would have been a better solution Microsoft could have taken if it wanted to protect itself from piracy?

[Chicon]

Hi namenotfound,

It is not specific to Microsoft. Other softwares companies do the same thing to protect their products.
BTW, you have the possibility to buy a 'collective' licence for many computers.

[namenotfound]

Well the only other company I tried to run on multiple computers was Adobe, and their products work just fine. It's because they only require a product key that matches the software, they don't require it to be confirmed via their website.

And most of the lower-priced software doesn't even require a product key at all! Like the "webster" dictionary software, that can run on multiple computers without even needing a key. Same thing with PhotoImpact and other "Photoshop alternative" software out there that cost much less.

As far as Windows, I think if I want to run it on multiple computers that I own for personal use, then I should have the right to. A 'collective' license would to ok for a business setting, where they take in a lot of money from using the software, but for personal use where you are probably on a tight budget, I don't think it's right for Microsoft to do that.

[Stoner]

I don't like it either, but Gates doesn't sell his software, he leases it.
And I do have another application that requires internet activation and is limited to one computer at a time.......Dragon Naturally Speaking.

[BlackSpike]

Is Microsoft paranoid?

The number of illegal copies of Windows 98 was staggeringly huge.
The number of illegal copies of Windows XP is huge.
Cracked CD keys were on the net before the official release.

I am not defending Microsoft's actions, but it is understandable when so many people who have not even bought one copy are using several, and handing out more copies to friends and family.

The thing that bugs me is that one day Microsoft will close down its activation servers, and then a re-install of Windows XP will not be able to be activated, and so cannot be used after its 30-day trial period.

[Stoner]

Originally Posted by BlackSpike

Is Microsoft paranoid?

The number of illegal copies of Windows 98 was staggeringly huge.
The number of illegal copies of Windows XP is huge.
Cracked CD keys were on the net before the official release.

I am not defending Microsoft's actions, but it is understandable when so many people who have not even bought one copy are using several, and handing out more copies to friends and family.

The thing that bugs me is that one day Microsoft will close down its activation servers, and then a re-install of Windows XP will not be able to be activated, and so cannot be used after its 30-day trial period.

If the hardware has not been changed, there is a file in the existing installation that designates activation to that specific computer. You can legally copy that file , save it and avoid the above issue. Note, it won't work on an install to a different computer.

I posted the method at TSG several years ago
http://forums.techguy.org/tech-tips-...tml#post703094

Another wise move is to keep a drive image.


As far as installing to a different computer, legally, hopefully MS keeps the activation server open or issues a patch to eliminate the need if the activation process is stopped.
I'm doubtful the problem will arise, though.

[buck52]

I'm not defending Microshaft either ... but ...It's silly of you to think you can buy a piece of software designed to be installed on one computer and then go and install it on another and another and another ...where is your head at...by your logic they would have only needed to make one copy and let the pirates go mad...

You did not clone the second computer into being.... you had to buy it... you want an OS to run on it buy it...period...

This debate has been going on for years on the internet and I don't get...

Why would any semi itelligent person think that they should be able to buy one OS and then put it on more than one computer...

If you want more of something in life you have to go buy it or steal it... Bill Gates is just making sure you don't steal it from him... or he's trying anyway

[Stoner]

Howdy Buck

If the price of XP or Vista is compared to the cost of filling up the average car or truck with fuel, MS really isn't that bad a buy.

While I'd like to only have to buy one instance of XP, it's a bad business model for Microsoft.

Anyway, there are many versions of Linux distros available for free.
So there is a choice.

[Noyb]

I think it's M$ fault (paranoia) that you can only burn one set of recovery DVDs in a new Computer.

Thought I'd start the new year off with a fresh rebuild and a new HD in an older computer.
Put in the recovery DVD and after about 15 minutes .. I got the error ...
"Fatal operation .. Shutting down"

So I email HP and asked for a new set .. They said send them my credit card.
I said "NO WAY" ... If I was allowed to burn more that one set .. I wouldn't have this problem.
Got my Free Set last week and they don't work ... Even though the sofware build number is the same.
It says .. "Not Allowed on this Computer"

HP says I must send the computer back to have the Mobo re-tattoed.
Thanks a lot Bill Gates ... For all the hassle .. Glad I didn't pay for Recovery DVDs that won't work.

Luckilly ...
I had made a copy before the original set of recovery DVDs went bad.
I also still have the original working HD ... Can clone it and can do a total recovery from it's recovery partition.
I also have many Acronis True Image backups.
Do Ya'll have backups ... of your backups .. and your backups backed up ?? ...

Is M$'s Paranoia Contagious ??

[Bastiat]

Originally Posted by buck52

I'm not defending Microshaft either ... but ...It's silly of you to think you can buy a piece of software designed to be installed on one computer and then go and install it on another and another and another ...where is your head at...by your logic they would have only needed to make one copy and let the pirates go mad...

You did not clone the second computer into being.... you had to buy it... you want an OS to run on it buy it...period...

This debate has been going on for years on the internet and I don't get...

Why would any semi itelligent person think that they should be able to buy one OS and then put it on more than one computer...

If you want more of something in life you have to go buy it or steal it... Bill Gates is just making sure you don't steal it from him... or he's trying anyway

I wonder if Bill used a slide rule and chalk?

[Noyb]

As Paul Harvey would say .. "Now for the rest of the story"

When I got my newest computer ..
I immediately Cloned the HD to another one ... and also made an Acronis Recovery Image ...
... Then I burned a set of Recovery DVDs.
Then I installed the cloned HD .. and burned another set ..
I can always recover from my original Acronis backup and burn another set.
I hope this gives Bill Gates nightmares.

I never use the original OEM HD ...
If HP's help doesn't know a quick fix .. They'll tell you to do a total recovery ...
Hoping you'll go away for several days and maybe fix it your self.

Sorry Bout that ... I'm right back at them in the time it takes to install the original HD.

[BlackSpike]

Originally Posted by Noyb

I think it's M$ fault (paranoia) that you can only burn one set of recovery DVDs in a new Computer.

Thought I'd start the new year off with a fresh rebuild and a new HD in an older computer.
Put in the recovery DVD and after about 15 minutes .. I got the error ...
"Fatal operation .. Shutting down"

So I email HP and asked for a new set .. They said send them my credit card.
I said "NO WAY" ... If I was allowed to burn more that one set .. I wouldn't have this problem.
Got my Free Set last week and they don't work ... Even though the sofware build number is the same.
It says .. "Not Allowed on this Computer"

HP says I must send the computer back to have the Mobo re-tattoed.
Thanks a lot Bill Gates ... For all the hassle .. Glad I didn't pay for Recovery DVDs that won't work.

Luckilly ...
I had made a copy before the original set of recovery DVDs went bad.
I also still have the original working HD ... Can clone it and can do a total recovery from it's recovery partition.
I also have many Acronis True Image backups.
Do Ya'll have backups ... of your backups .. and your backups backed up ?? ...

Is M$'s Paranoia Contagious ??

This sounds more like HP than Microsoft.

[Noyb]

Originally Posted by BlackSpike

This sounds more like HP than Microsoft.

This is a restriction in all computers that have a recovery partition and expect you to make your own recovery DVDs.
SO .. This must be a Bill Gates stupid requirement.

Stupid in the sense that OEM software is tattooed to the Mobo .. and can't be used anywhere else.
Have you read all the posts here at TSG about users that can't recover their Computers ??

[Stoner]

I even went to the trouble of using Acronis to image that hidden recovery partition on my Acer

[buck52]

Originally Posted by Bastiat

I wonder if Bill used a slide rule and chalk?

think he knows how........... he probably does