"existing" computer, though, is the key. Make one significant change (HDD, CPU, or especially MB+CPU) and the installation of an OEM XP is completely legitimate; they've discussed this at countless TS2 seminars when someone in the audience invariably brings it up.
As far as having system builders status revoked.. I know people who've done incredibly shady things, MS sent them a letter "please cease" and they did, and all went back to normal, never had their system builder status revoked; hell, I know of a major, major distributor that was sued in court and fined by MS, and they still remain a MS "Gold Certified" partner. So, I think the fear of not doing everything down to the brass tacks is a little bit paranoid. Unless you are flagrantly violating the rules and MS is making nothing off you, they have very little incentive to revoke your status. You're too small for them to have their lawyers waste their time on you, and if you're selling the product in decent (matchable) volume, then the "can I install an OEM or do I have to install a full" question is never raised by them. CW -----Original message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Date: Tue, 9 Aug 2005 06:50:01 -0500 To: "The Hardware List" [email protected] Subject: Re: [H] Microsoft's "Genuine Advantage" Cracked Already > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "Ben Ruset" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>; "The Hardware List" > <[email protected]> > Sent: Thursday, August 04, 2005 12:39 AM > Subject: Re: [H] Microsoft's "Genuine Advantage" Cracked Already > > > > You can buy the OEM edition with parts that you buy from Newegg or anybody > > else. As was mentioned, you can buy a screw and get XP OEM... > > > > I should take this into consideration when I make decisions as to the > legality of what I do. Here is why I do not. > > If I were to install XP OEM on an existing computer and get caught, I lose > my membership with Microsoft. Newegg does not. > > If I were to install XP Upgrade on a new build and get caught, I lost my > membership with Microsoft. Newegg does not. > > Any move that is considered off color by Microsoft takes me out of the > Microsoft OEM System Builder Program. Why do I need to be in the program > anyway? I can simply buy my Windows from Newegg and to hell with > credentials. I already have thousands of extra screws. A few more will not > hurt. I remain in the builder program for credibility. I would hope some > people would prefer to do business with me rather than some jerk downtown > who buys from Newegg. > > Ain't working! Seems people do not care and I will go out of business. I > will go out in a blaze of glory with a clear conscience knowing I did my > best to honor the Microsoft BS rules etc. > > Did you know Microsoft was a legislator of law? It seems so when certain > rules of their you violate is considered a violation of the law. When I > worked as a Correctional Officer for the Georgia Department of Corrections > it was noted that their rules etc. were Georgia law. I thought legislators > had to write all law. I did not know that people behind big mahogany desks > in the Georgia Department of Corrections and at Microsoft were writing law > as they wrote their rules. > > Chuck >
