Vista Related

Okay... I'm upgrading soon to Vista. As MSFT's stock rises, so does the buying power for the upgrade for me at least.


Now I have been reading a lot, but I can't find it in simple terms.

If I buy one copy of let's say Home Premium and install it on my desktop, can I also install it in my mom's computer? Without any crippling of the system or extra hidden fees?

 

I don't think so.

 

Nope, you'll need another copy of Vista. Its one license per computer.

 

i dont see why microsoft is doing that, i mean, they are already rich enough as it stands and tehy are just doing it to make more money. at least make vista like 3 installs per copy, jeez that rly ticks me off! >:|

 

Heh, when I saw the title of this thread I thought it had something to do with homicides... you know, like a "gang related homicide".

 

Gosh yes, a company charging you to use their product. How rude.
Shocking, I can just see the headlines. "Corporation tries to make money!"
"Software Corporation is profitable! Read all about the scandal here"

 

Hey you don't need dessert, you already had dinner. Desserts should be banned until everyone has had an equal dinner.

Really though. If MS or any other company didn't charge for their products, what incentive is there for them to R&D and make new and better products?

 

Gosh yes, a company charging you to use their product. How rude.
Shocking, I can just see the headlines. "Corporation tries to make money!"
"Software Corporation is profitable! Read all about the scandal here" /quote

Well, it sounds like DRM to me. Couldn't you install Windows on multiple computer back in the day? Because now, the idea of one license per computer is outrageous to me and tempts me towards the torrents.

 

Well, Microsoft got a bit of a "heads-up" on the costliness of installing Windows on several computers as people become more technology/computer-reliant (I mean, I have five computers at home), so they launched a new promotion for North American customers on Vista.

Buy one Vista Ultimate license and get 2 Vista Home Premium licenses for $50 each. That's a pretty good deal.

 

I don't see the problem here... Vista's new technology (from what I understand) makes it harder for you to do something that's already illegal. And you have a problem with this. EVERY commercial OS I've ever used has had similar restrictions, unless you buy a multi-seat license.

If you've got a problem with that, then find a warez site or try linux.

 

Welcome to the real world!

 

Aside from this, I've been meaning to ask, what is the difference between retail vista and oem?

I think I may go oem. It's cheaper.

 

that may be a good deal (which it sorta is in a way) but you still have to buy vista ultimate, which is sooo **** expensive, its gonna be the most expensive one isnt it?

well i guess when you basically control almost the whole computer population like microsoft does, you can do whatever you want and get away with it

 

Technically, OEM versions are bound to the original purchased hardware. This doesn't however restrict you from making upgrades.

 

what do u mean?

 

OEM “marriage” and license restrictions

OEM licensing has certain restrictions as to what you can and cannot do according to the terms of the EULA that you accept during installation.

Q. What computer component ties the OEM license to the computer?

A. Short answer – the first motherboard the OS was installed on. In the case of your purchase of an OEM license with a new computer, this license is tied to the motherboard of that system. In the case of a purchase of OEM software from a retail seller, this would be the first motherboard you install the software on, *not* the “hardware” that was bundled with your OEM purchase.

Quoted from Microsoft's OEM Builder FAQs:

Q. Can a PC with OEM Windows XP have its motherboard upgraded and keep the same license? What if it was replaced because it was defective?

A. Generally, you may upgrade or replace all of the hardware components on your customer's computer and the end user may maintain the license for the original Microsoft® OEM operating system software, with the exception of an upgrade or replacement of the motherboard. An upgrade of the motherboard is considered to result in a "new personal computer" to which Microsoft® OEM operating system software cannot be transferred from another computer. If the motherboard is upgraded or replaced for reasons other than a defect, then a new computer has been created and the license of new operating system software is required. If the motherboard is replaced because it is defective, you do NOT need to acquire a new operating system license for the PC.

The reason for this licensing rule primarily relates to the end-user license agreement (EULA) and the support of the software covered by that EULA. The EULA is a set of usage rights granted to the end-user by the PC manufacturer and relates only to rights for that software as installed on for that particular PC. The System Builder is required to support that license the software on that individual PC. Understanding that end users, over time, upgrade their PC with different components, Microsoft needed to have one base component "left standing" that would still define that original PC. Since the motherboard contains the CPU and is the "heart and soul" of the PC, when the motherboard is replaced (for reasons other than defect) a new PC is essentially created. The original System Builder, therefore, can not be expected to support this new PC that they in effect, did not manufacture.

Transfer of an OEM License

The next restriction comes with transferring the license. OEM software that has already been used, installed, activated, etc is not transferable unless you transfer the entire computer along with the software to another party.

Quoted from Microsoft's OEM Builder FAQs:

Q. Can my customers transfer or sell their OEM software licenses?

A. After an OEM software license has been installed on a PC, the license may not be installed on or transferred to another PC. However, the entire PC may be transferred to another end user along with the software license rights. When transferring the PC to the new end user the software media, manuals (if applicable) and certificate of authenticity label must be included. It is also advisable to include the original purchase invoice or receipt. The original end user cannot keep any copies of the software.

The end user license agreement (EULA) is granted to the end user by the System Builder and relates to the license on the PC with which it was originally distributed. Because the System Builder is required to support the license on that original PC, a System Builder can not support a license that has been moved from a PC they manufactured to one that they did not. This is one of the key reasons why an OEM System Builder license can’t be transferred.

Quoted from Microsoft's OEM Builder FAQs:

Q. My customer bought a new PC and wants to move their OEM software from the old PC to the new one. Can't they do whatever they want with the software?

A. The software is licensed with the computer system on which it was originally installed and is tied to that original machine. OEM licenses are single-use licenses that cannot be installed on more than one computer system even if the original machine is no longer in use. The end user license agreement (EULA) accepted by the customer before they use the software, states that the license may not be shared, transferred to or used concurrently on different computers. The System Builder is required to provide end-user support for the Windows license. A System Builder can not support a license that has been moved from a PC they manufactured to one that they did not — this is a fundamental reason why OEM System Builder licenses can't be transferred.

 

Why can't they charge Apple prices for their OS?

 

Because there's a lot of Project Managers at Microsoft that needs to travel to the Bahamas for their business meetings, First and Business Class.

 

Every OS they've made has had that restriction. Yes, you could always pirate it, and you can still do that with Vista. But that doesn't make it any more legal. And it wasn't any more legal with Windows 95 or 3.1 either.

Because they can get away with not doing it. That's (lack of) competition for you...

 

And because typically new os's from microsoft have more new stuff than one from apple, and they are further between. Apple charges less per upgrade, but upgrades are closer in time than microsofts, and new features aren't always available on the old os. That rolling pricing scheme allows them to get more money while the users think they pay less.

Which IMHO is absolutly brilliant.

Say you started with os x 10.1 preinstalled on your mac. If you upgraded every time up until tiger you would have payed the sum of $390 unless you found a bargain or something. And you might in some cases be forced to upgrade your OS for new apps to work. The question is, would you want to buy an operative system for a lot of money and then have not have to pay for major updates, or pay on a per update basis?

But still, it's brilliant marketing