Just picked up a new laptop today, turned it on and it appears the place i got it from have already gone and activated the copy of windows on it. In the past I've had to deal with a number of computers and laptops that have come with XP preinstalled and they've never had the copy of windows activated. I was actually planning on formatting this thing and putting Ubuntu on it and using the copy of windows on one of my PC's.

So my question is, should this company have gone and activated windows before giving me the laptop without my knowledge? Are they allowed to? Do I have grounds for asking for a replacement copy of windows? I'm aware that you can make hardware changes to a system after a copy of windows has been activated but I've never been aware of how many. I'm sure once the copy is installed on the PC I'll no doubt make a number of changes to hardware configuration over it's lifetime (as i have several computers and am often swapping hardware around between them, especially when i add new hardware to the pool) and I don't really want to run out of changes I can make a couple years down the track.

Where did you get it from? Most places you go to usually include the OS in the price of the system,especially lap tops.Did they supply you with the OS cd?If so just wipe and reinstall/

It was a company called Trilynx, probably one of the dodgiest computer companies i've have to deal with but unfortunately I had no choice in getting the laptop from these ppl as my previous laptop was stolen and the insurance company chose this place for some reason.... it took them over 2 months to get the laptop to me after they were paid which imo is a company i wouldn't want to get anything from again. Anyway they did supply the cd but that shouldn't matter, isn't that copy of windows (the key) now tied to the hardware in that laptop through the activation key? it makes no difference if i changed some hardware in the laptop or completely change the box the OS is on. I'm not sure if completely moving the OS from one computer to another only counts as 1 change to the activation key or many changes from the fact that all the hardware has changed.

last edited by Nailbomb at 00:31:46 15/Feb/05

Nah, from what your saying. you own the license for XP.

Doesn't matter what system(s) plural you wown, you are entitled to install it on any one machine of your choice. If it has been activated previously on a diff system, all you need do is contact MS an get a new activation code

Actually, I seem to recall a MS rep telling me once that if its an OEM copy (as it usually is with systems, hence the cheaper price), the lisense actually dies with the PC, though MS seem pretty lax on this point. When I rang them to get a copy reactivated (after replacing a dead mobo) they just asked if I was using it on more then one PC, and when I said no they gave me the code. Regardless of that, I would be of the belief that its illegal for them to activate it on your behalf, as that requires them to accept the EULA on your behalf.

Providing that they've given you a legit copy of Windows CD, then it shouldn't matter when you refomat and reactivate. I've done this with my Dell PCs and Notebooks and never got a rejected activation - mind you I only had to do this a couple of times on a separate systems with different CDs. That said, if your activation didn't work you can call MS and get them to give you the code -- iif the Windows CD is legit ;).

Personally, I don't see a problem since Windows will allow you to change 4-5 (can't remember the exact number) pieces of hardware before it thinks that you've cheated and install it on a "new" PC. Otherwise you can reformat and reinstall to your heart's content.

and people wonder why there is piracy. a little over a year ago i replaced everything, except the hard drive, and sound card, accoring to windows rule i am a pirate because theres too many hardware changes.

Depends which version of XP you got.. if you have the OEM version which i suspect you have, then after you change x number of components you will be required to ring microsoft and ask for a rego number. This is easy to do and I have had to do it for a workmate, MS dont ask any questions, as long as its legit.

If you have the retail version of XP and you change x number of components then you will just have to reactivate over the net, i have had to do this also and is not a hassle.

In my opinion the company should not have activated windows, because usually laptops come installed but you must go through the user setup stage. did you have to do this? or was a user already created?

Cheers

I would be of the belief that its illegal for them to activate it on your behalf, as that requires them to accept the EULA on your behalf.

Yeah it's not up to them to activate or register this product for you.

/Bill Gates slaps them on the wrist...

Just contact MS support, explain the situation and get a new code.

Don't bother with xp... Longhorn will be here soon!

you have grounds to take it back and demand a replacement copy. they have no grounds to accept the EULA on your behalf. they cannot legally do it.

also, guys, it's an OEM copy, so no, he doesn't own the license. he owns the machine and the license is tied to that machine only. you cannot legally shift an OEM copy from one computer to another. that's why the OEM copy is 1/3 the price of the retail, which you can shift between systems.

Perhaps the PC shop shouldn't have activated the liscence, but realy what does it matter, you cannot move the windows onto another pc becuase it is oem, which is why he didnt want it activated.

As for asking for another copy of windows, i would be very suprised if the PC company would do this, they would probably just reformat the pc and say there ya go, now you can click accept, and yes you may have to call microsoft to tell them why you are activating it again, but if i was the pc company i would just call microsoft myself and then give you the re-activation codes.

last edited by `ViPER` at 14:37:58 15/Feb/05

also, guys, it's an OEM copy, so no, he doesn't own the license. he owns the machine and the license is tied to that machine only. you cannot legally shift an OEM copy from one computer to another. that's why the OEM copy is 1/3 the price of the retail, which you can shift between systems.

How does this work when you can get a copy of XP OEM with as small a hardware buy as a mouse purchase? Are people who sell OEM licenses like that being dodgy?

hmm, i think it would just be easier to give microsoft a call if i decide to go down that track, failing that i've got a copy of xp home ive never used (legit of course). I wasn't aware about not being about to move an OEM about systems but the reasoning makes sense though i can't ultimately see why it would really matter to microsoft as long as you only had it installed on one box at a time. I always just figured oem was the product without all the packaging.

btw, to the ppl doubting the legitimacy of this copy of windows, if it wasn't a legit copy then i'd be reporting the company i got the copy from to microsoft. If i was wanting to use a pirated copy of windows then i wouldn't have even started this thread as i would have just used a copy that didn't require activation :) having said that if i dont have a legit copy of windows to run on a box at home i just run linux.

last edited by Nailbomb at 15:27:35 15/Feb/05