Windows XP Pro Genuine or is it

[reibow]

Thought I should share this experience with everyone.

Bought Windows XP professional April 2005 on E-bay - a genuine buy. Installed in June 2005 and activated without any problem. Used auto updates since then but in late April 2006 received a message that my copy of Windows XP was pirated and therefore not authentic. After a great deal of research to confirm that I had a genuine product I telephoned Micrsoft Australia to discuss problem. After thirty minutes conversation and much checking and cross checking of information I was advised that I had a genuine Windows XP Professional disc.
I was given what I was told is a Microsoft site which would update my key so that my system would be recgognised as genuine. Followed the instructions on the Microsoft site and received a message that my key had been upgraded. Then asked to fill in a questionnaire about satisfaction with my experience to which I responded positively believing my problem had been solved.
Next screen on the site advised that my new key is xxxxxx . BUT this was my old key!
Next screen was an offer by Microsoft to upgrade me at a cost of $238.

I respect the Moderators of this site and the standards they uphold so I will not say what I am thinking.

Has anyone else had such treatment from Microsoft.

I have installed Mandriva on my latest build and will soon be converting my other three partially completed builds to Linux.

Have a good day.

[EzyStvy]

What happened when you phoned MS back and told them what happened?

[reibow]

Hi EzyStvy

Thanks for reading my whinge.

Microsoft customer service Australia immediately ducked and passed me on to their technical department. There I was informed that although my disc may be genuine I was not entitled to use the licence which came with it. The licence was not an issue when I was originally offered assistance. It was claimed that the registration number indicated that it was a volume licence.
When I pointed out that the EULA is for a single user licence AND that the EULA specifically allows one transfer to a third party after original use the response was that MS had given me a volume licence registration number and the only solution would be to purchase a retail copy. I asked how could I get a volume licence when I registered on the basis of a EULA which is for single users. Refused to answer.

I asked why this operating system had been validated and registered 12 months ago for a single user but now Microsoft decides that it is a volume licence (they could have changed the registration number since without my knowledge such is their spyware). I was refused an answer.

There has been a dispute between Microsoft and a seller of OEM copies on Ebay Australia and although I do not know the details of the dispute it appears that the seller has won and continues to sell on Ebay legally. He sells the version I bought so I can only guess it is the EULA wording which has prevented Microsoft having its own way. But of course that does not stop Microsoft trying to bludgeon the poor punter who gets caught in the middle.

Someone has already paid Microsoft for this software so why can it not be used by a third party in accordance with the agreement forced on everyone by Microsoft. I think Microsoft is trying to change the rules after the result has been declared

And for the record this is not my first run in with Microsoft. I had problems with Win95 a few years ago and Microsoft refused to assist because I had not first sought help from the builder of my computer. The builder had gone out of business so what was I supposed to do. Microsoft said that was my problem.

[pam123]

I see why you're going LINUX.
I'm assuming you don't have the time or cash, even if you had the inclination, to take these morons to court but if you've got a local Consumer Affairs Dept. go file a complaint.
I don't know what computer magazines are widely read in Australia but they usually have their own 'consumer' columns and they do need material.
Send them some.

[reibow]

Hi Pam123

Thanks for your reassuring response but I would disagree with your use of the word moron. I have been around the world many times and met many morons and I cannot remember any of them supporting Microsoft.
Unfortunately in Australia we have a Prime Minister who has an "all the way with LBJ" relationship with George Bush so it is difficult to get our consumer affairs advocates to stick their heads up into the firing line.
The unfortunate outcome of this is - If I knew of someone pirating music cd's for profit I would turn them in. The Microsoft counterfeiters will never be turned in by me.