Microsoft Licensing

[ukmedia]

Hey All,

I need some advice on microsoft lincencing. I have a mate that runs a pc repair workshop in a busy shop. He has had a few PC's come in recently that software wise are beyond repair unless a complete re-install is preformed. Now at present he buys the the cd's from a website and then charges this to the customer and gives the customer the CD with the repaired computer.

What he wants to do is get a software license that allows him to re-build a computer and give the computer to the user without having to buy a OEM license and sell this with the repaired computer.

Any advice or information will help me out.

cheers

[Ideas Man]

Questions like this are better directed to Microsoft, because they are the only ones who can give you an accurate (and legal) answer.

[si_the_geek]

As Ideas Man said, it would be best to ask Microsoft directly (you may also find useful info on their web site, as they have a large licensing section).

My view is that if the customer has their original licences (but not necesarily the CD's) you can simply re-install them, but otherwise you must purchase the software again. I'm not sure that OEM versions are acceptable though, as you are not selling them with new hardware.

[Ideas Man]

Actually, I don't think you're actually allowed to do that now. After seeing what Microsoft has introduced with the Windows Genuine Advantage tool, it only allows keys that they actually issue. If they had an illegal key and you install with your legit key, then they get a free copy of Windows.

Also, there would be other issues involved with installing your version instead of their version such as using a corporate version for a consumer etc. To be absolutely sure, consult with Microsoft.

[si_the_geek]

I meant using install it using a proper Key (which I'm pretty sure is part of the licence), and certainly their own rather than yours. Of course, as you mentioned, the changes in MS licencing may have changed this.

Good point on the different versions, as they must be the same as have been licenced, or an officially allowed equivalent (eg: a "Windows XP Professional" licence allows you to exchange for "Windows XP Professional x64", under the right conditions).

[capsulecorpjx]

Hey All,

I need some advice on microsoft lincencing. I have a mate that runs a pc repair workshop in a busy shop. He has had a few PC's come in recently that software wise are beyond repair unless a complete re-install is preformed. Now at present he buys the the cd's from a website and then charges this to the customer and gives the customer the CD with the repaired computer.

What he wants to do is get a software license that allows him to re-build a computer and give the computer to the user without having to buy a OEM license and sell this with the repaired computer.

Any advice or information will help me out.

cheers

Its not possible to buy a generic License you buy so you can install Windows on your customer's PC.

If the customer doesn't provide your friend with a licensed copy of Windows OS, then the customer has to pay for the reformat and reinstall of the OS.

But unless the customer pirated Windows OS, then I don't see how this is a problem.

Most users should have a legiment CD of the OS.

[VBdynamic]

Even if they have a set of restore disks and not a true XP CD, as long as the product key sticker is on the case, you are good to go. If you have a corporate CD, you can only use corporate keys. OEM and regular retail keys can be interchanged and will work.