[SOLVED] Using the same Windows CD and key several times

[Ebuntor]

Hi everyone,

I've got a question regarding the legality of using the same Windows CD and key several times. I often help people with their virus and spyware infested Windows machines. Problem is they have often lost their Windows CD so I just use mine. I saw no real harm since I was doing it to help them and I didn't get payed.

Now I'm planning on making a job out of it and start helping people part-time apart from my studies. So of course my question is it legal to use the same CD and key for commercial use on someone's PC if the person in question already payed for a Windows license?

It seems hardly fair to force someone to pay for a new 150 euro XP CD just because they lost it.
Of course there are ways to circumvent the activation process

Thanks in advance :)

[munkyeetr]

As I understand it, you can use an OEM copy of their particular OS (XP Pro, XP Home, ME) and install it on their machine if they have an attached COA (Certificate of Authenticity). Basically you can use your disk and their key code.

But using the same key code again and again is not legal. And they must have a COA attached to their machine.

[Midwest-Linux]

Hi everyone,

I've got a question regarding the legality of using the same Windows CD and key several times. I often help people with their virus and spyware infested Windows machines. Problem is they have often lost their Windows CD so I just use mine. I saw no real harm since I was doing it to help them and I didn't get payed.

Now I'm planning on making a job out of it and start helping people part-time apart from my studies. So of course my question is it legal to use the same CD and key for commercial use on someone's PC if the person in question already payed for a Windows license?

It seems hardly fair to force someone to pay for a new 150 euro XP CD just because they lost it.
Of course there are ways to circumvent the activation process

Thanks in advance :)

Talking about ways to circumvent is illegal on these forums and will result in the thread being locked... or worse...

However.... It is legal to use one disc for installing Windows IF you have a different serial number for each computers. Say if you have a XP Pro disc and you have three different XP Pro machines.

Each of those machines has a different serial number. You can reinstall XP Pro on those three machines using the disc, but you have to use the serial/key that was assigned originally for those computer.

So in effect, if the person you are helping wants you to reinstall Windows on their computer WITH the serial number assigned to that computer you legally can. If they want to buy a serial from MSFT and have you install it on their computer, thats legal too.

Remember that a XP Home disc is different from a XP Pro disc. If all you have is a XP Pro disc and they want to buy or re-install XP Home then a XP Home Home disc is required. Then there are full install, upgrade versions and OEM versions to deal with.

Having said that....

Stay out of legal trouble, why not offer to install Ubuntu on peoples computers? Why not offer to sell computers with Ubuntu/Linux already installed by you.

[Ebuntor]

As I understand it, you can use an OEM copy of their particular OS (XP Pro, XP Home, ME) and install it on their machine if they have an attached COA (Certificate of Authenticity). Basically you can use your disk and their key code.

But using the same key code again and again is not legal. And they must have a COA attached to their machine.

I see. I did a bit of searching and if I understand correctly buying an OEM version means you have to agree with the "System Builder license" (whatever that may be) and you can only install it on that single PC since it will be linked to the motherboard.

Hardly sounds like a solution when it can only be used on one PC.

[Ebuntor]

Talking about ways to circumvent is illegal on these forums and will result in the thread being locked... or worse...

I know, thanks for reminding me. I wouldn't do that that is why I was keeping it vague.


However.... It is legal to use one disc for installing Windows IF you have a different serial number for each computers. Say if you have a XP Pro disc and you have three different XP Pro machines.

Each of those machines has a different serial number. You can reinstall XP Pro on those three machines using the disc, but you have to use the serial/key that was assigned originally for those computer.

So in effect, if the person you are helping wants you to reinstall Windows on their computer WITH the serial number assigned to that computer you legally can. If they want to buy a serial from MSFT and have you install it on their computer, thats legal too.

Remember that a XP Home disc is different from a XP Pro disc. If all you have is a XP Pro disc and they want to buy or re-install XP Home then a XP Home Home disc is required.
That's great, I was hoping that was possilbe, thank you. :) I've got cd's for every version so that wouldn't be problem.


Stay out of legal trouble, why not offer to install Ubuntu on peoples computers? Why not offer to sell computers with Ubuntu/Linux already installed by you.Oh I agree, that would be the perfect solution. In fact I'm planning on offering that however that would only work with people who have only basic needs like browsing, email, chatting, a word processor etc.
For example if someone is dependent on certain Windows software that can't run in Wine and they're not technical enough to dual boot or run Windows virtually (which is often the case no matter how simple you make it) I can't force people to switch. Heck some people panic simply because they only can/want to use a start button (once again doesn't matter if you can make Gnome look the same).

So you have to be very careful with helping non technical people make the switch.

[Midwest-Linux]

So you have to be very careful with helping non technical people make the switch.

Agree 100%, just give them a Ubuntu/Linux and a Puppy Linux discs as a part of your services. Show them the fun they could have with Linux. Explain to them all they have to do is to insert it into the CD drive and run it as a live disc without needing to install anything.

If they panic or think they screwed up something just tell them to simply take the disc out and go back to Windows without tweaking anything. Also tell them that they might want to use the Live CDs with Linux running when surfing the 'net to make their computing experience more safer and secure.


Good Luck

[Ebuntor]

Agree 100%, just give them a Ubuntu/Linux and a Puppy Linux discs as a part of your services. Show them the fun they could have with Linux. Explain to them all they have to do is to insert it into the CD drive and run it as a live disc without needing to install anything.

If they panic or think they screwed up something just tell them to simply take the disc out and go back to Windows without tweaking anything. Also tell them that they might want to use the Live CDs with Linux running when surfing the 'net to make their computing experience more safer and secure.


Good Luck

My thoughts exactly. Of course that would only work with people who have some reasonable experience. I mean most of the people I help are 60 year old and place the mouse on the screen to move the cursor. :lolflag: