On Thu, 2003-06-12 at 17:36, Trevor Lauder wrote: > As long as the CDs, license agreement and everything goes with the > computer. They can't just sell a computer preinstalled with windows and > not give you licensed CDs and manuals, unless they have an agreement with > Microsoft. > > Also, it is illegal to sell just the computer and keep the license for > windows, the software license is tied *forever* to the hardware which is > why computer suppliers have to stick the Microsoft licenses onto the > computer case before they can sell them. This is the same for things like > MS Office too. > This only refers to OEM software sold with the Computer. If you buy retail box software (full version) it is not licensed to the machine. And can be transferred between machines. Though it cannot unless stated otherwise (some software does allow you to install on a limited number of machines) in the license be installed on more than one machine.
BTW it is not illegal to sell a machine that had windows on it without windows. But if you want to transfer your windows from an old computer it is best to upgrade and not just buy a new computer (as that would violate the EULA). As a computer store, I can upgrade a system that is brought in with Windows without selling them a new version of windows but I can't just sell them a completely new computer and install their old version of windows unless it is a full retail version. I also can't take the excess parts and build another system and install the original version of windows on it as well as the upgrade. You would need to either purchase a new version for the upgraded computer or for the computer made of spare parts. -- Mark Lane <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
