'Once only' XP OEM Versions - Why? and How?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Tony Norton
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Tony Norton

Well, O.K., I can probably answer the "Why?" myself, to make more money of
course. With a global recession on us Bill must down his last few $Billion,
but what really puzzles me is the "How?".

In the old days of DOS based programs on 5.25" floppy disks (remember those?
No? Then your probably not old enough) software writers installed on the
floppy a file that got moved to the harddrive on which the software was
installed, effectively making it impossible(?) for the average Joe to install
it on a second PC unless....... it was un-installed from the first PC when
the 'key' file was moved back to the floppy. This I understand and was a
perfectly legal and understandable way of enforcing copyright.

But, assuming the OS (say, XP Pro 64X) is installed from a CD-R, not a
CD-R/W no info can be taken from the Mobo to write to the disk. True a 'key'
file could possibly be erased on installation (but I can't see how on a
CD-R), but if a backup copy is burnt before installation (CD-R to CD-R/W),
then either of the 2 resultant disks could, in theory, be used to do an
installation, or couldn't they? I know this could well constitute software
piracy, but I'm talking practicalities here, not legalities. Why shouldn't I
keep a backup of my OS in case the original gets lost or trodden on?

If it does it by poking it's nose into my BIOS then any info resting therein
would be overwritten by an update of the BIOS. If so I can see it being
possible that my PC would no longer work, raising the question "What right
have Microsoft to mess about with my hardware platform?".

I fully understand the legalities of this 'once only' installation, does
anybody understand the mechanics? If I am prepared to un-install my OS prior
to an upgrade or purchasing a new PC, why shouldn't I be able to re-install
it. If I have purchased it, I have paid for a licence to use the software on
one PC, not a specific PC to be defined and controlled by Microsoft.

'Big Brother' is alive and well and living in the US of A. George Orwell
only got the date wrong!
 
In this case it is not a file that is installed it is the License key utilized.
The key requires an activation code that is transmitted to you via the
internet from MS.
So you can make a copy of the software and install it on a hundred systems
if you like, but each would require a different license key. If this where
not done this way, then in theory you could install Windows on an unlimited
number of systems, which would be illegal.
For businesses there is such a thing as a volume license key. This is a key
that can be utilized repeatedly to install the O/S, and activation is not
necassary as the key acts as the License and the activation code.
 
PassPlay said:
"In this case it is not a file that is installed it is the License key utilized. The key >requires an activation code that is transmitted to you via the internet from MS."
Click to expand...

Yes, I understand how the license key/activation (or authorisation) code
works, and how it has the potential to protect the licenser from piracy. On
the database of all issued License keys, flag them when an activation code
has been issued, then if a request for an activation code comes up again it's
a pirated copy and the code can be witheld.
"So you can make a copy of the software and install it on a hundred systems
if you like, but each would require a different license key".
Click to expand...

That's the bit I don't understand.

How does either the CDROM know it has already been used or how does the new
mobo know that the CDROM has been used on another mobo? Why cannot the
originally issued activation code be used again?

Not that I want to install it on more than 1 system, I just want to be able
to re-install it on my own system if (a) I update the BIOS - highly likely or
(b) I upgrade my motherboard - quite likely or (c) my motherboard fails -
unlikely - I hope.

The software is actually installed on the harddrive, so I would expect a
change of harddrive to more grief than a change of motherboard.
 
There is the rub, in order to activate you must connect to the internet, once
connected to the internet MS will detect that the code has already been
utilized.
Take the CD out of the equation, this has nothing to do with it.
Connectivity, to the internet, must be there in order for the activation to
be validated by MS.
 
The way activation works is that the O/S looks at the original configuration
of your system and takes that as its baseline.
When a hardware change occurs the code looks at the baseline to verify that
this is the same system. If it thinks it is not the same system the previous
code becomes null and void and a new one is required.
In your case it thinks you are installing on another box, therefore it wants
to reactivate and that means connection to the internet and a possible chat
with your friendly neighborhood MS tech, who will grant you another
activation.
 
PassPlay said:
The way activation works is that the O/S looks at the original configuration
of your system and takes that as its baseline.
When a hardware change occurs the code looks at the baseline to verify that
this is the same system. If it thinks it is not the same system the previous
code becomes null and void and a new one is required.
Click to expand...

So am I right in thinking that, similar to system analysis software, it
interrogates the mobo (and other hardware) noting the make, model and serial
number and as long as that remains the same for the mobo the original
activation code would re-activate the OS if a re-installation, say due to a
harddrive malfunction, becomes necessary?

Or would it be necessary to obtain a new activation code which would
automatically be granted via the internet as the 'baseline' hasn't changed?
In your case it thinks you are installing on another box, therefore it wants
to reactivate and that means connection to the internet and a possible chat
with your friendly neighborhood MS tech, who will grant you another
activation.
Click to expand...

If the mobo has been changed in what circumstances would a new code be
issued?

If you could convince you friendly(?) MS tech that your original mobo had
malfunctioned and needed to be replaced?

Or would one be issued for an upgraded mobo if other hardware items remained
the same?

Tony N
 
Tony,

90% of the time the MS tech doesnt even get involved as the computer
recording tells you why it failed activation and then asks you if it isonly
installed on 1 computer.
Even when the tech gets involved you jus state that you had to reformat
your computer or you upgraded your computer etc and are transferring the
license to it and that the OS is only installed on one computer and they will
give you your new activation code.

Cyrien
 
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