OEM licensing question

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Guest

I searched the archives and could not find an answer to this question.

I purchased a group of used Dell computers, all having a Windows 2000 Pro
OEM product key. Would it be permissable for me to purchase a single copy,
intall it on them all using their dedicated key, and sell each computer with
a backup copy of the 2000 Pro OEM CD?

I want to do this so that everything is proper and that neither my customers
or myself hit any difficulties down the road.
 
SeanV said:
I searched the archives and could not find an answer to this question.

I purchased a group of used Dell computers, all having a Windows 2000 Pro
OEM product key. Would it be permissable for me to purchase a single copy,
intall it on them all using their dedicated key, and sell each computer with
a backup copy of the 2000 Pro OEM CD?

I want to do this so that everything is proper and that neither my customers
or myself hit any difficulties down the road.
Click to expand...
You'd be pirating.
 
SeanV said:
I searched the archives and could not find an answer to this question.
Click to expand...
I purchased a group of used Dell computers, all having a Windows 2000 Pro
OEM product key. Would it be permissable for me to purchase a single copy,
intall it on them all using their dedicated key, and sell each computer with
a backup copy of the 2000 Pro OEM CD?
Click to expand...
I want to do this so that everything is proper and that neither my customers
or myself hit any difficulties down the road.
Click to expand...

I would think that would be legal. Each machine has a valid license, but
the media is lacking. correct? In that case, it should be legal to use a
copied CD since possession of a CD does not in itself confer any rights.
There's a possible snag, though. It may well be that the existing OEM key
will work only with a Dell OEM CD, and an appropriate Dell CD may be hard
to find.
 
I believe you would have to use Dell media with the key, and that media may
be system specific
 
I contacted Dell once due to a lost Dell original OS CD. They supplied not
only that, but all the other CDs this computer was originally sold with for
no charge whatsoever. I didn't even have to pay mailing. I just logged onto
the Dell site, entered their support "chat", and the attendant there took
care of everything. I did however have to provide the asset tag number for
the machine. BTW, this was a client's machine, not mine. I represented
myself as an IT contractor, which I am. No problems. I was impressed.

Just food for thought. Not sure if this would help you or not.

Another poster mentioned that the original Dell OEM key code may not work in
an off-the-shelf retail version of Windows. He is correct. It won't.

-Frank
 
SeanV said:
So the COA is of no value? I have to purchase another CD and COA set?
Click to expand...

Based on the circumstances leading to the re-sale, the Dell
COA is of no value. If you are a legitimate business venture,
you might want to contact Microsoft (maybe too late for Win
2000) or a wholesaler for the Windows 2000 cdroms and COA and
take advantage of the price break.
 
SeanV said:
I searched the archives and could not find an answer to this question.

I purchased a group of used Dell computers, all having a Windows 2000 Pro
OEM product key. Would it be permissable for me to purchase a single copy,
intall it on them all using their dedicated key, and sell each computer with
a backup copy of the 2000 Pro OEM CD?

I want to do this so that everything is proper and that neither my customers
or myself hit any difficulties down the road.
Click to expand...

A VERY grey area.

Physically, yes a generic OEM CD will accept a dell product key. There
is not, at present WGA on Windows 2000 to deal with. (there WAS,
briefly, but not currently)

ALSO, a Dell Windows 2000 operating system cd of more or less the right
generation will work.

On the scale of getting on to piracy trouble with microsoft, it is
MUCH, better to use the product key affixed to the case, then to peel
it off and send out a system loaded with windows2000 without a COA.

As a Microsoft Authorised Refurbisher my company has actual written
permission from Microsoft to use recovered COAs. Then again, we're a
nonprofit, and we went through a LOT of hoops to get it. Also we
puchace MAR licences at a very deep discount from Microsoft.
 
A VERY grey area.

Physically, yes a generic OEM CD will accept a dell product key. There
is not, at present WGA on Windows 2000 to deal with. (there WAS,
briefly, but not currently)
Click to expand...

Sure there is. Windows 2000 systems need to run
GenuineCheck.exe and be given a PIN number.
 
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