Buying a windows license only

[eko976]

Hi,
Is there any company in USA that sells just the licenses for Windows XP (without CD)

I found at www.9software.com licenses for all versions of Windows OS-s, ecept for Windows XP (They are all very cheap)

Thank you

[Tuf]

Yes, you can get them from Microsoft. If you just want one they may refer you to a retailer though.

In the past I have purchased licenses from CDW also. You should be able to get them from anyone that is an actual Micosoft distributor. A lot of times the smallest quantity they will want to deal with is five. But Microsoft was, probably still is, offering additional licenses for XP Pro and Xp Home for home users. Meaning you could only buy one or the exact number you want.

The discount originally was only about fifteen dollars less than buying a full version retail disc. There maybe some better deals out there now, I haven't checked for some time.

[Statica]

http://shop.microsoft.com/helpdesk/mvlref.asp for volume licenses

[eko976]

Actually, I am going to do a small business, like pc repair and building customized computers.
Can I still use these licenses if I sell the computer to end user?

[Hot Rod]

Myself, I would just purchase the actual disk if it was for a custom build that I was selling so the customer would have the actual OS on disk.

[eko976]

Yes, but still the end user must have a license

[Statica]

Originally posted by eko976
Actually, I am going to do a small business, like pc repair and building customized computers.
Can I still use these licenses if I sell the computer to end user?

I dont know the answer to that, but would you really have an advantage by providing volume licensed Microsoft products through sales. Usually, most such firms pass the cost of the OS/software on to the customer; in addition, most customers (i know I do) require the media.
Volume licenses only work to your advantage when assuming that you (or the people you represent) own the hardware as well as the software.

[eko976]

So, you think like this way:
I build the system until the opearing system and than sell it to customer and he has to buy a OS itself
Or I can install it for him

I thought this way
I build the system, buy just One cD a nd license and than than sell it ti the customer, of course the question is can I make a copy of the CD?

[Statica]

Hi eko976:
Keep in mind that I am not a reseller, but I am the benefiary of volume licenses (XP installed at work)
The first way is what I would think would be the safest route to take; it protects you as well as the end user, and the cost to the end user is not significantly greater.
reason:
- you are allowed to take copies of your media for backups, but not for redistribution - which is what you are attempting to do.
- by providing a volume license to the end user - you are in fact further redistributing your license key to your customer (.. and further on to the customer's friends and family. :))

[glc]

If you are building computers for resale, the BEST thing for you to do is try to find a deal on multi-packs of OEM operating systems. Ethically you owe it to your customers to provide them with an original (NOT burned) CD and a unique license key. You can burn them a recovery disk instead but you still need to provide them with a legal license and unique key.

Note that providing them with a genuine CD is a selling point that you can use to your advantage, most recovery disks reformat the hard drive, but you can use the genuine thing for OS repairs without blowing away the data.

[eko976]

Hi GLC

Yes that is the way what I wanted to do.

I don't know who began to talk about volume licenses.
My question was abot buying a JUST 1 OEM CD and many licenses bought separatelly or in multi-packs

License itself is about $ 50.
So do you think if I buy a license and burn a Recovery CD to the customer, is it legal way for Microsoft
-------------------------------------------------------------------
For the customers:
When I bought my 1st computer at store I got just the Recovery CD and still today most companies give you just the recovery CD.

[Tuf]

There is no legal way to burn any Microsoft software to CD. Microsoft does not give license to make even backup copies. I began the discussion about volume licenses because that is what they are called.

You have three choices in your situation. Buy the retail product and let Microsoft provide your customer with any support they need. Buy OEM and you provide the support. Last strike a deal on your own with Microsoft.

You cannot sell or transfer your volume licemses to some one else. If you want discounted software from Microsoft you'll have to deal directly with them. You will probably have to buy a fair amount at one time.

[eko976]

And what if the customer buys the license and the CD?
Is that legal?
It i sstill cheaper!

[Hot Rod]

I believe what you want to do is buy the multipack OEM like glc mentions. Install the software from the CD and then give the CD to the customer. Have them do the actual activation of the OS. The license for that CD would travel with that CD.

Do not burn copies of XP and give the burned copies to the customer. That is illegal.

[Tuf]

When I build a computer to sell I just try to find the best deal on a retail full version copy. Generally I pay close to three hundred dollars for it and I pass the cost on. I don't do this full time and I can't always help them the same day if they have trouble. They are covered this way bu having support from M$. If they don't want to pay that I'll give them option of providing their own or using their corporate if applicable.

I never install oem copies as the implication is I will support it directly or arrange for support, neither of which I am prepared or willing to do. I help my customers whenever possible but I am sometimes out of town for weeks at a time. I don't feel like that could be considered reasonable support for them.