How does Windows licensing works in the US?

[nothing]

Could you, computer repair shop owners, explain to me what you do when you need to reformat a customer's computer? Here are the scenarios:
1- there's a sticker on the side of the computer with the cd key on it but you don't have that version of Windows.

2- customer's current operating system is Windows 98 SE but after telling them that the computer needs to be reformated, they ask you to install Windows XP

Thanks.

[Midknyte]

they need to purchase winxp. you can't carry over a win98 license for xp. they would have to at least purchase the winxp upgrade.

[nothing]

What about the first scenario?

[G Ray88]

Originally posted by nothing
What about the first scenario?
If the CD that came with the computer is lost or damaged, the owner of the computer should be able to a replacement from the manufacture. I had worked on a computer recently and the restore CD that they gave me with all the correct paper work CD-key was there but the CD looked like it had been used for a coaster.
The owner of the computer contacted the manufacture and got a replacement CD for very little $. Then had it sent to me next day got it a day latter, had everything going in just a little bit. Good Luck:t

[Midknyte]

from what you said, the sticker is for a win98 OS. clarify that.

if it's a win98 code, then they have to buy winxp. they'll have to scrounge up the cds or you'll have to order a set as previously mentioned.

[dajogejr]

Not sure if this is borderline wrong to say or not here, MK...

But, what most here do...Nothing, is buy the OEM copy for Windows. MOST purchase new hardware with it, so in theory...it's 100% legal to get an OEM copy with purchased hardware.

However...many websites will allow the purchase of OEM Windows with NO hardware purchased...or a 2 to 3 dollar piece of hardware that supposedly meets MS's requirements for "hardware needing to be purchased" for an OEM copy.

OEM copies are in a plain packet, whereas Retail comes in a nice...big, box...and costs considerably more money, usually 20 to 40% more.

OEM XP home over here is available easily for 80 to 95 bucks...and Pro available usually for around 120.

So..not a huge investment. Whereas I've seen XP Pro retail in local stores for 250 on up, home for 210 or so on up.

Point being...Nothing, when I'm going to build and/or upgrade a PC...I get my customer to buy OEM XP...HOME in almost every case...

[intimidator]

dajogejr is 100% correct.

We purchase only OEM copies of windows.

A customer can only by windows from us if they buy a piece of hardware.........otherwise they are out of luck.

I reload Dell, Compaq, HP, IBM, Sony, & every other manufacturer you can think of day in & day out.

90% of customers have no idea where their discs are.........the KEYCODE is their license.......the discs mean SQUAT!

As long as the keycode is stuck to the side of the machine it is 100% legal to pop in an OEM CD & reload.

If it is XP 9 times out of 10 it will activate with no problems at all.........Except for the people who are in every 6 months due to virus.........then you just make a 5-10 min phone call to M$.

[Midknyte]

looks to me like he was asking if it was ok to install winxp on a system that only has a win98 key on it. why would their current OS be win98 if they had a winxp key on the side of their computer? it doesn't add up. that's why i asked for clarification. of course, installing xp from another cd if you have an xp cd code is ok. I'm not a dope.

[intimidator]

looks to me like you are correct. :D

My mind kinda wandered with the OEM/Retail thing.

maybe I should get some sleep. :x

my wife is making fun of me right now. :(

you & dope did not ever cross my mind, I enjoy picking your brain.

Later.

[Midknyte]

I'm not insulted or anything. maybe I misread the question, which is why i asked for clarification. this is a forum and is by definition a public arena to voice opinions. you have every right to say what is on your mind or what is off of mine. :)

[Crashman]

You DON'T have a copy of 98SE? Wow, that's very irresponsible, it was the BEST of the 9x OS's. XP won't even run properly on most older machines, but 98SE runs PERFECTLY on most of the ones that still exist.

First of all go over what he has for hardware. For XP, he should have at LEAST 256MB of RAM and a 500MHz processor. To get it to run WELL, he'll need MORE RAM, preferably 512MB on older systems (more than that seems a waste of money for an older system). You'll find that systems with less than 256MB will run EXTREMELY SLOW with XP. Your customers need to know this in advance if you want them to know you're a reliable seller. Otherwise their neighbor will prove it to them, and you'll look like a slop. This is how I stole most of my customers away from local retailers!

If you see a problem that would prevent his system from operating well with XP, bring that to his attention, tell him exactly what needs to be upgraded, exactly how much it will cost, and if he insist on XP without the upgrade, do as he ask. He'll have to buy the new OS.

[nothing]

Ok, so let's go over everything again now:

- It is legal to install whatever Windows version from other cd as long as a sticker with the cd key for that specific Windows version is stuck on the side of the computer (or the customer has it at home).

- If the customer wants to upgrade from Windows 98, ME, 2000 to XP but they don't have a Windows XP cd key, they are required to buy a license (or I could buy it myself and sell it to them making a little money out of it. Do you guys do that?)

- What if the computer has Windows 98, ME, 2000 or XP on it and customers wants you to reformat their computer and install the same OS they had before but they lost their cd key?

Once again, thanks.

[dajogejr]

Regarding points 2 and 3....my take:

2. They need to buy it. Sure...you can buy OEM and make a few bucks off it...but, unless you're a licensed reseller, that's probably illegal...
3. If they lost their CD Key...they have two options. Call the manufacturer of the PC and request a new CD...as said earlier. Or...bite the bullet and buy a new copy of the OS, and hold onto the CD and affix the CD Key sticker to the PC somewhere.

When I do a build, I normally put the CD KEY sticker inside the case, on the bottom...or inside the door if it has a door to cover drivers. I don't like them on the outside of the case in plain view...but, I feel better knowing they're much, much less likely to lose it that way...vs. handing them the CDS and the Key sticker in a packet...