VirtualBox Question?

[forrestcupp]

The problem is it takes out 3 of my 4 primary partitions, and I don't use it enough, to warrant it manipulating my computer to such a degree, so saving the recovery partition (just in case) and then installing it through virtualbox would have been ideal.
But if it can't be done i'll leave alone.

Well, you could always use GParted to get rid of all of your unused Windows partitions, including the recovery partition, and move things around to where you can absorb the space into your Ubuntu partition. If you ever need to reinstall Win7, you can always legally download the OEM version of the ISO and reinstall it straight to your hardware, which will work with your license and be legal.

If you do that, make sure to back up all of your important software first. Also, be aware that moving partitions around may cause you to have to restore GRUB.

[Cheesemill]

I am not sure of the licensing details here, but I would have thought you could run the recovered disc in a VM ON THE SAME MACHINE without violating any license terms. It is after all still running on the same hardware. I don't know whether it will work but it's worth a try.

You would think so, but that isn't the case. An OEM copy of Windows is licensed to the physical hardware, which isn't the same as running it on a VM as a VM isn't physical hardware (it's virtual hardware).

Try dealing with the Microsoft licensing terms on a daily basis like I do for some of my clients and you will soon realise how convoluted the terms are

[traditionalist]

You would think so, but that isn't the case. An OEM copy of Windows is licensed to the physical hardware, which isn't the same as running it on a VM as a VM isn't physical hardware (it's virtual hardware).

It is still running on the same physical machine, which is what it is licensed for. I can't find anything that specifies it must run on physical hardware. Only on the same physical machine.

If it runs in a VM on the original machine for which it was licensed then I don't see a problem.

But I'm not a lawyer!

[traditionalist]

Since I was curious, I dug out one of my old OEM licences for one of the older XT boxes where I am now running Ubuntu 12.04. It runs perfectly and it accepted the licence without a problem. I have not yet activated it. I will try that and see what happens. If it is acceptable to Microsoft then that's fair enough I would imagine?



It's my licence purchased with that machine, and it is running on that machine, albeit in a VM on that machine. So where might the problem be?

[matt_symes]

Hi

Image your current Windows partitions before you wipe Windows in case you need it again. Then you can recreate the partitions...just in case. Hard drive space is cheap.

If your going to consider this, use clonezilla or somesuch.

That's what i would do anyway.

Kind regards

[Cheesemill]

It is still running on the same physical machine, which is what it is licensed for. I can't find anything that specifies it must run on physical hardware. Only on the same physical machine.

If it runs in a VM on the original machine for which it was licensed then I don't see a problem.

But I'm not a lawyer!

An OEM copy is only licensed for the first machine it is installed on (which is defined by the manufacturer/model of the motherboard). As a VM presents the Windows OS with a different motherboard than the physical hardware then you are breaking the EULA.
I know it sounds crazy but that's just the way it is.

[traditionalist]

An OEM copy is only licensed for the first machine it is installed on (which is defined by the manufacturer/model of the motherboard). As a VM presents the Windows OS with a different motherboard than the physical hardware then you are breaking the EULA.
I know it sounds crazy but that's just the way it is.

It is running on the same machine it was originally licensed for, with all the same hardware. The only difference is that it is running in a VM. I can't find anything prohibiting that. If you use that licence on some other machine in a VM you would be breaking the EULA.

In this case you quite obviously are not.

Extract from EULA;

BEGIN EXTRACT

SOFTWARE PRODUCT LICENSE
The term "COMPUTER" as used herein shall mean the HARDWARE, if the HARDWARE is a single computer system, or
shall mean the computer system with which the HARDWARE operates, if the HARDWARE is a computer system
component.
1. GRANT OF LICENSE. Manufacturer grants you the following rights, provided you comply with all of the terms and
conditions of this EULA:
• Installation and Use. Except as otherwise expressly provided in this EULA, you may install, use, access,
display and run only one (1) copy of the SOFTWARE on the COMPUTER. The SOFTWARE may not be used
by more than two (2) processors at any one time on the COMPUTER, unless a higher number is indicated on
the Certificate of Authenticity. You may permit a maximum of ten (10) ("Connection Maximum") computers
or other electronic devices (each a “Device”) to connect to the COMPUTER to utilize the services of the
SOFTWARE solely for File and Print services, Internet Information services, and remote access (including
connection sharing and telephony services). The ten (10) Connection Maximum includes any indirect
connections made through “multiplexing” or other software or hardware which pools or aggregates connections.
Except as otherwise permitted below, you may not use the Device to use, access, display or run the
SOFTWARE, the SOFTWARE’s User Interface or other executable software residing on the COMPUTER.
• Software as a Component of the Computer - Transfer. THIS LICENSE MAY NOT BE SHARED,
TRANSFERRED TO OR USED CONCURRENTLY ON DIFFERENT COMPUTERS. The SOFTWARE is
licensed with the HARDWARE as a single integrated product and may only be used with the HARDWARE. If the
SOFTWARE is not accompanied by new HARDWARE, you may not use the SOFTWARE. You may permanently
transfer all of your rights under this EULA only as part of a permanent sale or transfer of the HARDWARE, provided
you retain no copies, if you transfer all of the SOFTWARE (including all component parts, the media and printed
materials, any upgrades, this EULA and the Certificate of Authenticity), and the recipient agrees to the terms of this
EULA. If the SOFTWARE is an upgrade, any transfer must also include all prior versions of the SOFTWARE.
• Mandatory Activation. THIS SOFTWARE CONTAINS TECHNOLOGICAL MEASURES THAT ARE
DESIGNED TO PREVENT UNLICENSED OR ILLEGAL USE OF THE SOFTWARE. The license rights granted
under this EULA are limited to the first thirty (30) days after you first run the SOFTWARE unless you supply
information required to activate your licensed copy in the manner described during the setup sequence (unless
Manufacturer has activated for you). You can activate the SOFTWARE through the use of the Internet or telephone;
toll charges may apply. You may also need to reactivate the SOFTWARE if you modify your HARDWARE or alter
the SOFTWARE.
• Security Updates. Content providers are using the digital rights management technology (“Microsoft DRM”)
contained in this SOFTWARE to protect the integrity of their content (“Secure Content”) so that their


END EXTRACT

[linux653]

No, it's not possible I'm afraid. Even if it was you would be breaking the terms of your Windows license agreement.

An OEM copy of Windows (like the one your recovery partition contains) is only licensed to run on the actual hardware. To install a Windows VM you need a full retail copy of Windows and the installation CD that comes with it.

What is the difference. You are running it on the same physical machine. I've done this with a Win XP and 7 CD from Dell. It works perfectly fine and I had no problems with activation.

[forrestcupp]

Since I was curious, I dug out one of my old OEM licences for one of the older XT boxes where I am now running Ubuntu 12.04. It runs perfectly and it accepted the licence without a problem. I have not yet activated it. I will try that and see what happens. If it is acceptable to Microsoft then that's fair enough I would imagine?



It's my licence purchased with that machine, and it is running on that machine, albeit in a VM on that machine. So where might the problem be?

XP was a lot more lenient than later versions. It can be done with Win7, too, but it's just about where your conscience is.

[traditionalist]

XP was a lot more lenient than later versions. It can be done with Win7, too, but it's just about where your conscience is.

Doubtless, I have a full retail version of Windows 7 x64 BIT Ultimate running in a VM on this machine, and I have no doubt that an OEM version would run as well. I don't know about licencing that, but I can install my full retail version on any machine I like, as long as I stick to the licence agreement.