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  • #2160279

    Microsoft busybodies

    Locked

    by jardinier ·

    Some years ago I acquired (with a second-hand laptop) a bulk licence copy of XP Pro which I have installed on a number of computers over a period of time. No hitches — no warning that the licence was no longer valid — it seemed to have no time limit.

    I have just downloaded a piece of software: SKWID-Radio which required Windows Media Player 10. As the version on my computer was 9, I thought I might as well upgrade to MP 11 as this is designed for XP with SP 2.

    So I installed it and was required to “Validate” it. I was informed that my licence key was not a valid MS Licence Key and I should purchase a genuine copy for $200 plus.

    As the program I had installed only required MS MP 10, I downloaded and installed that without any hassles.

    No doubt I am not the first person who has been barred from installing a Windows accessory because of an “unvalid licence key.” Or perhaps MS have come up with a new gimmick to con people into paying for a new licence.

    Any comments welcome.

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    • #2748548

      Mistaken assumption.

      by charliespencer ·

      In reply to Microsoft busybodies

      “…I acquired (with a second-hand laptop) a bulk licence copy of XP Pro which I have installed on a number of computers over a period of time. No hitches — no warning that the licence was no longer valid — it seemed to have no time limit.”

      “seemed” is the key word. That license was legit only for the company that paid for it. They paid to use that non-transferable license on a specified number of systems. They shouldn’t have given you that number, but that isn’t your fault.

      I suggest you contact the manufacturer of the laptop and ask if they’ll send you as set of restore disks. That will include a single-license version of the OS. Restore disks usually run $15 – $20 US. Installing that should take care of your WGA problems.

      • #2754905

        Way too late

        by jardinier ·

        In reply to Mistaken assumption.

        This was several years ago and I doubt if the guy still works for the same company. What is significant about my copy of XP Pro is that it apparently does not have a “use by” date. I found this out when I installed a copy which Col gave me. On boot-up there was an annoying notice on the screen to the effect that it was not a valid copy of XP. So I installed my own copy and have never had this notice.

        I had a new computer built for me about one year ago and that was when I learned the difference between the two bulk-licence copies. All critical updates at that time were installed and I have been advised NOT to install any further updates just in case.

        What I find interesting is that the computer which I am using right now does do some minor updates to XP from time to time and again, no hassles.

        Everything is fine. I have two machines using my bulk-licence and a new laptop with a legitimate licence. Life goes on. Not a problem.

    • #2748543

      MS licensing fun

      by jamesrl ·

      In reply to Microsoft busybodies

      Microsoft doesn’t sell you an OS, they sell a license to use an OS. The bulk licenses are sold to individual businesses under strict conditions, and are in no way shape or form transferrable. The ones sold to OEMs like Dell and HP are transferrable.

      So the company that bought the bulk copy had no right to give it to you – they broke their licensing agreement, and Microsoft could take action against them.

      MS has through service packs, updates etc. put in checks to make sure that people are running legit copies.

      I may not like them, but they have the right to do so.

      James

    • #2754828

      Message has been deleted.

      by jardinier ·

      In reply to Microsoft busybodies

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