General EULA Question

  • Thread starter Thread starter Mark D. VandenBerg
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Mark D. VandenBerg

Hypothetically, come January, or June or whenever, and I trundle down to
CompUSA and buy my boxed copy of Vista (insert superlative here), and decide
to continue dual-booting because Vista will not support my favorite
shirt-ironing program, if I install other MSFT products such as Office or
Money on both sides, am I in violation of the EULA for that product even
though they are physically on the same machine?
 
Yes. This is also a common question about installing the same MS products
on a virtual machine in VPC as are installed on the host computer.

Office is the only consumer product that permits the user to install the
product on two computers, one a desktop and one a notebook, on the same
licesnse (on condition that they are not generally used at the same time).

The physical box is not the issue. Each installed OS is an instance of a
computer so you can have many computers on the same box. Even though only
one of them can run at a time.

It would be the same if you used the same license to install XP on your
computer twice (on different partitions of course).
 
I was 80% sure that this was the answer, although I was unaware of the
Office exception. Logically, Streets & Trips should also have the same
stipulations, but what do I know.

So let's see, $350 for Vista Ultimatum, $500 for sundry extras...

May as well buy a new computer in June, huh...


Yes. This is also a common question about installing the same MS products
on a virtual machine in VPC as are installed on the host computer.

Office is the only consumer product that permits the user to install the
product on two computers, one a desktop and one a notebook, on the same
licesnse (on condition that they are not generally used at the same time).

The physical box is not the issue. Each installed OS is an instance of a
computer so you can have many computers on the same box. Even though only
one of them can run at a time.

It would be the same if you used the same license to install XP on your
computer twice (on different partitions of course).
 
I figure to do that also. That way I don't run into device driver issues
and get a cpu and mobo that support virtualization in hardware. You would
have interests of your own that would lead you in that direction. Fighting
these issues in a beta test is one thing but when I am ready to use Vista
for real I want everything professionally set up for me with guarantees and
support.
 
Hypothetically, come January, or June or whenever, and I trundle down to
CompUSA and buy my boxed copy of Vista (insert superlative here), and decide
to continue dual-booting because Vista will not support my favorite
shirt-ironing program, if I install other MSFT products such as Office or
Money on both sides, am I in violation of the EULA for that product even
though they are physically on the same machine?
Click to expand...

Only in violation of an unsigned agreement. No laws were broken.
 
Are you suggesting he said anything about breaking laws? He asked about
violating a EULA.
 
It's the support issue, for me. I dare you to call (insert discount
computer reseller here) and ask them about supporting a different O/S than
what was OE. I don't need the hassle and the warranty issues. Gateway
won't even support XP x64 on a machine with a 64-bit chip!

Alienware and Voodoo are looking good, right about now...


I figure to do that also. That way I don't run into device driver issues
and get a cpu and mobo that support virtualization in hardware. You would
have interests of your own that would lead you in that direction. Fighting
these issues in a beta test is one thing but when I am ready to use Vista
for real I want everything professionally set up for me with guarantees and
support.
 
Consider CyberPower also. That's where I got my XP Pro x64 based computer.
I got pretty good phone support.
 
I am not sure that this is correct.
Colin, when you install something on VPC and on your HOST OS, you most often
will have both OS's running at the same time, whereas in a dual boot
configuration, you will NEVER have them both running at once.

I think it is more like OEM software where it is bios locked to the actual
machine...so you could run as many different installs(since they would never
be running at the same time)
 
Trust me on this. Each instance, running or not, requires licensing. The
only "inherited" license I have seen is in the EULA for Windows 2003 R2
Enterprise Edition where, if 2003 R2 EE is the host, the license also covers
up to four more instances of 2003 R2 EE in virtual machines on the same box.
All on the one license.

The XP EULA does not allow for a second installation and activation on ANY
computer, and that includes the same computer.

SLA (bios locked) is an alternative to activation used by system builders.
I have never seen an SLA copy of Windows on physical media. I don't even
know if they exist.
 
That's kinda where my 20% fell, because of the EULA for Money, as an
example.

"1. USE RIGHTS.
Installation and Use
If you comply with this agreement, you
may, for each license you acquire:
.. Install and use one copy of the software on one personal computer or
other device. You may install multiple copies of the software on one
device, provided that you have a license for each copy. A license for the
software may not be shared or used concurrently on different personal
computers or devices."

If I read this correctly, I can install Money 2005 in multiples on the same
device only if I have multiple licenses or a group license. And this also
does include a provision for a secondary installation and use on a "portable
device," providing I am the main user of said portable device.

So, if I am dual-booting on a laptop, it really gets muddy!

I am not sure that this is correct.
Colin, when you install something on VPC and on your HOST OS, you most often
will have both OS's running at the same time, whereas in a dual boot
configuration, you will NEVER have them both running at once.

I think it is more like OEM software where it is bios locked to the actual
machine...so you could run as many different installs(since they would never
be running at the same time)
 
The laptop? That particular "portable device" happens to qualify as a
computer. I think they have in mind devices that use Windows CE,
smartphones, and such.
 
Oh, so now we're going to get all Clintonian! "What is the definition
of..."

:)

BTW did you read how I fixed the AC'97 sound card issue on the laptop?
Rather ah, creative of me, I thought.


The laptop? That particular "portable device" happens to qualify as a
computer. I think they have in mind devices that use Windows CE,
smartphones, and such.
 
Conexant AC97 Laptop Workaround

If eBay can sell "IT" then Bill can sell "IS".

What is the subject line?
 
It is not practical for Microsoft to prosecute you. Cost them more for
lawyer fees.
 
Actually, the reason is that it is considered "casual copying". They do not
prosecute that. They prosecute cases involving piracy in the sense of
providing copies to others.
 
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