Thrift store find goes to ####

[67Dart273]

So I'm downtown and find two computers with a hand written note, "Windows 7, bla bal" but the STICKERS both say XP

So I ask the owner, who is not computer literate, and he promises to refund my money if they do NOT have "7" installed

So I get home, boot them up, and cannot seem to determine if they are "activated."

So I download "magic jellybean" and find that BOTH COMPUTERS contain the SAME product key!!!!!

Just got back from returning them, and attempting to explain why I think these are illegal, and how he needs to severely burn the ears of his "computer guy."

The possibilities as I see it:

1--Neither of the machines are activated, both having the same single use product key

2--Both machines have a "corporate" (volume license) key which is NOT legal to sell or transfer under any conditions.

 

[Bad Sport]

I thought you could program up to a certain number of computers with the same program, per year.

I have several single use XP that I have put on more than one machine.

 

[67Dart273]

Nope. I think you can do that with office and some programs but not the OS

Now I HAVE taken XP off an older "dead" machine and used the "key" on another machine, but not two at the same time. Even what I did according to "little Bill" ain't quite legal.

http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/...with-one/c378f553-6dfd-4b8b-b44d-53b84f6b70ec

And "technet" which I knew nothing about

http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/...machines/d0ee68a7-2be2-4931-aa0b-cbee09874c38

and there is something called a "family pack" but that would not apply here either

http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/...ily-pack/dfa0f03c-7dd9-40be-bef7-a089a49c8505

 

[YY1]

microsoft has been steadliy moving towards a "subscription" type licensing model.

I can't wait to see what they come up with next.

Maybe "it doesn't matter what's installed, just enter your credit card info and it's $9.99 to $49.99 per month for whatever os you want.

 

[67Dart273]

............Which is why I keep "preaching" Linux, LOL. I rarely use MS anymore

 

[Princess Valiant]

I thought you could program up to a certain number of computers with the same program, per year.

I have several single use XP that I have put on more than one machine.

Xs2 I have the same OS and key on two machines ....Microsoft will let you do that ....you can call them up and they will tell you.


if the dead puter you took the key off was your puter then its your key that you paid for and you have a right to use it on a functional machine.