Selling on

[fatboyjim]

Hi,

If I were to build a PC for selling on, could I legally install my copy of Windows, and then set it up so it asks for a CD Key when it is rebooted, that way it's not my problem how they choose to acquire the CDKey? They may choose to buy a licence from MS for example?

Thanks,

[Confused]

I'm no lawyer and have less knowledge of English law, so therefore have no idea if you, yourself would be breaking the law but you are forcing the person who buys the PC to break the law.

Fo me that is morally wrong if not legally wrong.
Chas

[fatboyjim]

Sorry how are they breaking the law, they could still buy a licence from Microsoft can't they?

Jim

[jamesrpm]

I'm not sure I understand you , you want a system to boot and run without a cd key but ask for one? Why would you want to do that?

[fatboyjim]

Basically, so you could build a PC without buying a copy of Windows, install your own copy, and then remove the CDKey so it needs to be activated when you sell it on. You then tell the user they can buy a licence from Microsoft to get a Key

Jim

[tigstah]

so what you want is a version like dell, gateway has.....they install it for you, you just have to register it with the key that comes with your pc......

[fatboyjim]

Spot on.

But unlike Gateway, I wouldn't be giving them a key unless they paid me the licence fee for me to pay Microsoft

Thanks,


Jim

[Confused]

Originally posted by fatboyjim Hi, that way it's not my problem how they choose to acquire the CDKey? Thanks,

My reply was based upon that statement.
Chas

[fatboyjim]

No worries Chas, I didn't mean to have a go

All I was saying was, I say to them "You'll need to get a licence key from Microsoft"

If they do that, they do. If they decide to get a key from somewhere else, their problem, not mine?

Or is it illegal in the first place to be installing that version of windows on the PC, probably. Perhaps it wasn't such a good idea after all

[kissfan]

Yep it is Illegal.

You may by License only install your copy of XP on one PC.

There are things that you can do, but it is not good etiquette to discuss these on this forum.

As the Mods will tell you, this sort of thing is to be frowned upon. Illegal use of software, cost us all more in the long run or thats the general opinion.

I do not condone the use of Illegal software, but neither do I condemn, those that choose to use it, they have their reasons.

A good example of why legal software is always better came to my attention last month. A somebody who had a pirated copy of XP, from one of the p2p networks I think, has tried to use SP1 and cannot get it to install. This of course leaves him without all security updates and the like.

[Mac Medic]

You would have to do an OEM preinstallation, which prompts the end user to enter the License key register and activate, but you are still required to give them the license and media.

I have instructions if you are interested.

[fatboyjim]

Yes please, if you could email them to me that would be great

You say I am required to give them the licence and media?

[Mac Medic]

http://oemguy.dyndns.org:86/index.htm

I put the instructions here. You'll see that you are better off with a normal install. And yes, if you install windows you have to give them the media and license. The sticker has to be firmly affixed to the outside if the PC. You cannot use your existing XP unless you remove it from your own PC and hand all the stuff over to the new owner.

[reboot]

You can do an OEM install. At first boot, the computer will ask for a product key, and if one is not input correctly, the system will not operate. The only thing you can do, is install drivers and such. As an OEM, I do this all the time, although you need the OEM install kit, found somewhere on the MS site.

[fatboyjim]

So do you mean it's last chance saloon when the product key screen comes up? ie. enter it wrong, it's curtains?

Or do you get infinite chances?

Thanks for the info,

Jim