The price of Windows XP...

[Jonny M]

Can we please stop writing Microsoft with dollar signs all over the place? It's not funny, never was, and just makes me disregard all posts where it appears.

[d3vil]

If you buy an OEM version of Windows you need to buy it with a peice of "acceptable" hardware.
Something your PC cant live with out, so it is of course total legal to buy Windows XP OEM & the cheapest mouse you can find ~£1.50

[Jonny M]

No it's not. It's changed, OEM can only be bought as part of a complete system, and then it stays with that system.

[directhex]

No it's not. It's changed, OEM can only be bought as part of a complete system, and then it stays with that system.

OEM windows can still be bought with any "non-peripheral" hardware, as specified by the OEM EULA - however you're correct in that it's legally tied to a system (motherboard), and changing that system (motherboard) for anything other than a direct hardware failure replacement is prohibited and against the license - at which point you're basically using warezed widnows

[Kumagoro]

I thought I read that Microsofts EULA about only ever allowing you to install it on one PC is nulified by some euro law and if your PC breaks you can install it on another one..

No solid evidence about that though.

[chudley]

Just got Office professional 2003 home use program for less than £20. its a pity they cannot sell it for normal use at this price as everyone would buy it and not try and get a knock off version. I have yet to install it as I am due a few changes to my system anyway and have managed without it so far. Also was stopping me from working at home (until now)

[jackvdbuk]

its funny, microsfot charge another 50 quid for windows XP, when you chnage a piece of your pc, and they get angry when so many people use pirate windows, perhaps if it was more reasonable for such a outdated piece of software to buy then more people wouldnt rely on pirate... well thats my opinion and i do have real windows

[ajbrun]

The thing is, the main "feature" of office is that it's ubiquitousness, not so much the quality of the software being much better than the competition - I have to use office to insure that all my document formatting etc is correctly preserved when taking files between uni (where most PCs only use M$ office) and at home.

Then what's wrong with open office? It's legally free.

[Mike Fishcake]

Can we please stop writing Microsoft with dollar signs all over the place? It's not funny, never was, and just makes me disregard all posts where it appears.

GIVE THIS MAN A MEDAL.

I'm glad I'm not the only person that wants to eat his keyboard in frustration when he sees "M$" typed up.

Caged - together we will put an end to M$.

[Xaneden]

Can we please stop writing Microsoft with dollar signs all over the place? It's not funny, never was, and just makes me disregard all posts where it appears.

Sure thing.

So anyway guys, how do you think Microsoft will deal with the latest lawsuit from $ymantec?

[Jonny M]

its funny, microsfot charge another 50 quid for windows XP, when you chnage a piece of your pc

When did they charge you £50 for replacing a component? I've swapped graphics cards and not paid this 'tax'. Oh, wait. It's because you made it up.

[Mike Fishcake]

When did they charge you £50 for replacing a component? I've swapped graphics cards and not paid this 'tax'. Oh, wait. It's because you made it up.

Apparently, Microsoft's official stance is that the OEM license agreement applies to the motherboard of the PC - so you can legally change anything else - vid card, HD, RAM etc and not have to change it, however, if you change the mobo, then technically you're supposed to get a replacement license.

However, this has happened several times: When we've repaired other people's PCs that have had faulty motherboards, and they've had a different type put in (possibly upgraded), after the obligatory XP re-load, they've gone on to activate their new install over the phone, explained to the call centre person that their MB has been replaced as faulty, and they have been given an activation code no problem at all. They seem to be reasonably lenient.

(the lesson here kids is to say that you've replaced a faulty MB if you need to reactivate )

[jackvdbuk]

aaah, thoguth it was a few mroe components that just the mobo, my mistake caged