RE: [newbie] The Register: Preinstalled Windows Illegal to Remove ?

[Tibbetts, Ric]

Title: RE: [newbie] The Register: Preinstalled Windows Illegal to Remove?

 

-----Original Message-----
From: Myers, Dennis R NWO [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]]
Sent: Wednesday, May 01, 2002 2:46 PM
To: '[EMAIL PROTECTED]'
Subject: RE: [newbie] The Register: Preinstalled Windows Illegal to Remove ?

-----Original Message-----
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
[mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]]On Behalf Of Miark
Sent: Wednesday, May 01, 2002 1:01 PM
To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Subject: Re: [newbie] The Register: Preinstalled Windows Illegal to
Remove?

> What ms considers to be illegal is the following:
>
> I buy a machine with preinstalled windows
>
> I uninstall windows and install a real os
>
> I sell/give the version of windows that came with the machine to someone
> else
>
> What ms wants is that when I sell or give away the machine, I must
> also hand the original version of windows to whoever gets the machine
> also.

That makes more sense, but not much more. Winblows, even on pre-installed
computers, costs something, and that cost is passed on to the final
consumer. So despite its cost being buried in a sticker price, you pay
for Winsux on a pre-installed computer.

In my way of thinking, if I pay for it, I have the right to sell it--
even separately, if I choose.

Miark

I too agree. If I buy a car and drive it till it is rust, I can remove engine transmission, seats and what ever else is salvageable and sell them individually. They were part of an integral package to begin with, but I still can sell off the pieces. Heck, I could sell of the pieces two days after I bought it brand new, and put some other engine in it. What makes Windows so special? M$ is as arrogant as any company ever in existance. My $.02

Dennis M. 

The difference is: In the case of software, you're not "buying" the software. You purchase a license to "use" the software on (in this case) a single desktop. If you read the EULA you will see that you do not have the right to transfer that license to anyone else.

I don't support M$, but before these tirades get going, people should read the license agreement, and understand it. If you don't like/agree with the EULA, don't agree to it, and don't use the software.

You DO have the option to return the OS to M$ "unused". You'll have to fight for it, but refunds are issued in cases where the OS was removed from new computers "unused". That means, you can't even boot the computer new out of the box. If you do, you've used the software, and cannot return it.

But it clear: You are not buying the software. That would be far more expensive (well into the millions). You're only buying a license to "use" the software.

 

Ric