Microsoft XP

Sukie_2

Hi, new to the forum, but wonder if anybody has encoutered this with Microsoft?
We purchased the XP Home edition and have put it onto my computor, my husband has tried to load it on his also, only to be asked for another $184 for a new license:mad: . On calling Microsoft he was told the disc has been installed too many times and can only be used on one computor! Nothing was told to us about this at PC World and there is no info. in the package, can they get away with this, or is there something we can do?
Thanks for any advice

superscaper

Sukie wrote:

Hi, new to the forum, but wonder if anybody has encoutered this with Microsoft?
We purchased the XP Home edition and have put it onto my computor, my husband has tried to load it on his also, only to be asked for another $184 for a new license:mad: . On calling Microsoft he was told the disc has been installed too many times and can only be used on one computor! Nothing was told to us about this at PC World and there is no info. in the package, can they get away with this, or is there something we can do?
Thanks for any advice

I'm surprised you thought you could install it on more than one pc and I'm sure (as much as I dislike pcworld customer service) that they simply took for granted you were only going to install it on one pc. It's pretty ,uch the same for ALL software unless specifically stated otherwise. You're not really paying for the software, you're paying for the licence. I believe that if you were allowed multiple licences then it would say so rather than saying you aren't allowed but I'm sure there will be somewhere on the packaging about single user or 1 PC.

RalphTBooker

That's pretty much standard software licensing, not just microsoft.

All 'off the shelf' software is normally for one machine\install only, unless it specifically said somewhere that multiple installs were allowed.

Apple for example sell a family pack which allows up to 5 installs. Not sure if Microsoft do this yet..!

In some cases you will be able to install the software on multiple machines, but this is classed as illegal. You would only be able to register one copy as well.

If its installed, just don't register it. However, you may be stuck when wanting to download updates. Most MS updates now require your copy to be authenticated. Again, you can download the updates from the legal copy, but you would still be illegal.

ormus

take MS to court.
im sure youve got a good case.
i cant see how a company can enforce its T/C,s when those terms are inside a shrink wrapped item!!!

ps. it states on the outside that by opening the wrapper you accept the T/C,s!!!
im sure a uk court will see the flaw in that particular term?

johnmc

It states on the OUTSIDE that it's for installation on one machine.

It's the PRODUCT KEY that you are purchasing, the software is incidental.

If you could find a PC down your local tip with a spare "key" sticker then get it. That is perfectly legal.

There might even be someone on Ebay with a machine they have scrapped and no longer need the "XP HOME KEY" sticker, note; NOT a "cracker" as that would be illegal. ;-)

marleyboy

My version of XP pro came from the University, this version has a licence that has no limitations. Indeed I have installed it onto numerous computers with no problem.

HoofeHearted

That is because they use a Volume License Key (VLK). Most Companies/Institutes use this type of licensing.

Take a look here

C_Ronaldo

marleyboy wrote:

My version of XP pro came from the University, this version has a licence that has no limitations. Indeed I have installed it onto numerous computers with no problem.

our college is the same, its because they have a licence to install it as many times as they want

dickibobboy

Yes this is tied down to one pc. True that you didnt know as they dont tell you! You could allways ring ms and tell them that you had to install after windows became corrupt after installing the first time and when you register it says you cant because it has been used so many times.

They should give you another key

xio

dickibobboy wrote:

Yes this is tied down to one pc. True that you didnt know as they dont tell you! You could allways ring ms and tell them that you had to install after windows became corrupt after installing the first time and when you register it says you cant because it has been used so many times.

They should give you another key

Yes, you could, but the activation code would be different due to different hardware.

If you're going to ring MS and get a 2nd auth key by lying, yes they may on the offchance give you one, but you might as well pirate the software in the first place - its no more legitimate.