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Acer Windows Vista Licence - Rip-off?
Comments
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If the user had changed the motherboard for an Acer motherboard he wouldn't need a new licence as a replacement Acer mobo would have a valid OEM activation code in its BIOS.
He's bought a cheap generic motherboard which is definitely not covered by the existing OEM licence agreement as I said and as anewhope has pointed out with his reference to the MS Licensing FAQ.
As others have said this obviously isn't what the original poster wanted to hear but sadly it's the truth.
PC Builders get OEM licences very cheaply but the downside is that it's locked to the motherboard.
The world is awash with pirated copies of Windows and if the OP uses his OEM copy he's adding one more. This is a money saving forum, not a pirates forum where you can find out how to circumvent Microsoft's Licensing protection.
All the advice about telephone activation is, I'm sure, given in good faith. Unfortunately it's given by people who do not understand the intricacies of MS OEM Licencing.
If you really try you can get round it but just because you can doesn't make it legal.
All I would say to the OP is don't shoot the messenger.
This isn't Acer's fault, despite what it says on the case of the PC it is no longer an Acer and therefore not their problem hence the 'tough' response.
You don't own the OS, you are only licensed to use it under strict conditions which a change of motherboard to a non Acer brand has broken.
How many people actually read and understand the EULA and how many just click agree without a second glance?
You are quite wrong. We understand it. As I wrote, the COA key should be valid for a single telephone activation(as they are blocked from online activation). In practice, the COA key will have never been utilised, as a Royalty key would have been used for activation.
The problem is that the OP cannot enter it at all.0 -
I believe that you are correct for SLP 2.0. The original SLP was readily bypassed. Possibly the reason why on XP machines it hasn't really been a problem - it will be on SLP 2.0 (introduced with Vista) but again can be be bypassed with Linux (by that I mean using Linux to obtain the code)
Bypass? Using Linux to obtain which code??
SLP 1.0, 2.0 & 2.1 work in much the same way.
They is little need to 'bypass' SLP if you are using it legitimately(and even if you are not). You just need to match the constituent parts. One of those being the Motherboard 'signature'.
Don't see any benefit to bypassing SLP.0 -
You are quite wrong. We understand it. As I wrote, the COA key should be valid for a single telephone activation(as they are blocked from online activation). In practice, the COA key will have never been utilised, as a Royalty key would have been used for activation.
The problem is that the OP cannot enter it at all.
And the reason for that is there is no activation, telephone or on-line with this kind of OEM licence!
The point of the BIOS keys used by OEM manufacturers is that they remove the need for activation. When you get the PC it is pre-activated at the factory.
If an Acer motherboard had been installed the BIOS key in the new motherboard would have worked with the copy of windows already installed on the hard drive, no activation required, telephone or otherwise.
If you have to re-install the OS following the replacement of the motherboard then during the installation it will check the BIOS code against the product key and install without any errors and no activation would be required either on-line or by telephone.
This is the OPs problem. He replaced the motherboard with a non acer one and when he tried to install Windows the installation program prompted him for the product key, which he entered. It then tried to read the code from the BIOS on the motherboard and match this to the product key. It didn't find a BIOS code because there isn't one and therefore rejected the product key as invalid.One by one the penguins are slowly stealing my sanity.0 -
And the reason for that is there is no activation, telephone or on-line with this kind of OEM licence!
The point of the BIOS keys used by OEM manufacturers is that they remove the need for activation. When you get the PC it is pre-activated at the factory.
If an Acer motherboard had been installed the BIOS key in the new motherboard would have worked with the copy of windows already installed on the hard drive, no activation required, telephone or otherwise.
If you have to re-install the OS following the replacement of the motherboard then during the installation it will check the BIOS code against the product key and install without any errors and no activation would be required either on-line or by telephone.
This is the OPs problem. He replaced the motherboard with a non acer one and when he tried to install Windows the installation program prompted him for the product key, which he entered. It then tried to read the code from the BIOS on the motherboard and match this to the product key. It didn't find a BIOS code because there isn't one and therefore rejected the product key as invalid.
Close, but not the whole story.
You write of only SLP, but the OP was not trying to utilise SLP.
He told of trying to install using a full DVD, therefore none of the elements of SLP were present.
Since the COA product key was not used in the process of SLP, it is still valid and can be used for a single telephone activation.
Have you tried it?0 -
And the reason for that is there is no activation, telephone or on-line with this kind of OEM licence!
The point of the BIOS keys used by OEM manufacturers is that they remove the need for activation. When you get the PC it is pre-activated at the factory.
If an Acer motherboard had been installed the BIOS key in the new motherboard would have worked with the copy of windows already installed on the hard drive, no activation required, telephone or otherwise.
If you have to re-install the OS following the replacement of the motherboard then during the installation it will check the BIOS code against the product key and install without any errors and no activation would be required either on-line or by telephone.
This is the OPs problem. He replaced the motherboard with a non acer one and when he tried to install Windows the installation program prompted him for the product key, which he entered. It then tried to read the code from the BIOS on the motherboard and match this to the product key. It didn't find a BIOS code because there isn't one and therefore rejected the product key as invalid.
You are wrong, that is not how OEM keys work. The OEM key on the side of the machine should be a valid OEM key the same as you would purchase if you were building yourself a system as a none royalty OEM and should allow installation to proceed and then require telephone activation. The key entry screen never checks the BIOS to see if the key is correct, the BIOS does not contain that information. Hence the OP's problem shouldn't exist if he has entered the key correctly.0 -
Close, but not the whole story.
You write of only SLP, but the OP was not trying to utilise SLP.
He told of trying to install using a full DVD, therefore none of the elements of SLP were present.
Since the COA product key was not used in the process of SLP, it is still valid and can be used for a single telephone activation.
Have you tried it?
Yes I have.
And as the OP put in his original post;
No offer of an apology just a small note explaining that their OEM windows licences dont use the key and instead activate from the BIOS of the motherboard, as I now have a different motherboard, tough luck.
Once I filled out their contact form I got a list of suggested knowledge base articles, one of which explained to me that if I changed the motherboard on my Acer PC I wouldnt be able to use the Windows licence any more and that they wouldnt be able to support me either.
Obviously you know better than Acer what their OEM licensing terms are.One by one the penguins are slowly stealing my sanity.0 -
Bypass? Using Linux to obtain which code??
SLP 1.0, 2.0 & 2.1 work in much the same way.
They is little need to 'bypass' SLP if you are using it legitimately(and even if you are not). You just need to match the constituent parts. One of those being the Motherboard 'signature'.
Don't see any benefit to bypassing SLP.
Take This: I'll have to be very careful when chosing my words where you are concerned.
1. COA/activation has not been a problem with XP - Microsoft - if you read my previous statement - has never refused me activation with a change of mobo's (having the COA of course).
2. Bypass - I'm not recommending it, just know its possible, okay?
Shall we leave it at that?0 -
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I was trying to make a small bit of money on the side but obviously if I have to spend out on another Windows licence that will negate any profits (The PC is probably worth less than £100 and i've already spent £35 on a new motherboard). I will have to just stick with a free OS or use my old retail XP licence that im no longer using.
I certainly hope you can sell it once you've installed the OS. I have a handful of lovely PC's that just won't sell even at giveaway prices. Just put a couple of them on Freecycle and they're going to local charities. I won't be building or restoring any more PC's again unless somebody pays me first. Whether it's the area I live in or the recession I'm not sure. Happy days...0
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