Are Vista product keys 32 bit specific?

[Koolpc]

As i have said, i have never heard of a Joe Bloggs being taken to court for having re-activated an OEM copy of XP etc.

Well, my mate did ring them up and told the lady on the phone that he had changed his Motherboard as the old one was not compatable with the new hardware he had bought and they re-activated it no problem! If MS re-activate it who are we to argue?

My mates Son-In-Law has only stated what he know (He works for a Marketing Dept in MS).

You usually find that people who moan about guys re-activating OEM versions of an OS are the ones that bought a full retail copy!! MS always re-activate an OEM version. Lots of my mates / family have re-activated with no problems at all.

I can't see anyone knocking on their door with a summons!!

[Agent]

As i have said, i have never heard of a Joe Bloggs being taken to court for having re-activated an OEM copy of XP etc.

Well, my mate did ring them up and told the lady on the phone that he had changed his Motherboard as the old one was not compatable with the new hardware he had bought and they re-activated it no problem! If MS re-activate it who are we to argue?

Was it because his motherboard broke? If so, then yes, it didn't break the EULA.
If he simply brought a new system and replaced the motherboard as an upgrade, he didn't even have the right to request reactivation.

You usually find that people who moan about guys re-activating OEM versions of an OS are the ones that bought a full retail copy!!

And do you wonder why that is? Perhaps its got something to do with them abiding by the EULA and paying several times the cost of those that don't.

MS always re-activate an OEM version. Lots of my mates / family have re-activated with no problems at all.

No they don't always reactivate. Your mates and family are not a big enough sample size to make a statement like that.
I know from experience that MS do not always reactivate.

http://arstechnica.com/hardware/news/2007/01/8730.ars

I can't see anyone knocking on their door with a summons!!

So as far as you're concerned, if you don't get caught it doesn't matter

Stop using the excuse "but MS Don't care" as a reason for people not paying for their software.

[Splash]

How many of the people that breach the EULA by transferring an OEM license to a new machine also complain that the retail license is too expensive? Ever thought that the cost of the retail license might be an attempt to claw back income lost to those people?

I'm not saying that this *is* the case, as I don't work for Microsoft but I'd say it would be a reasonable business practise in much the same way that shoplifters drive up the cost of everyday goods.

[Koolpc]

Not paying for software and Reactivating an OEM is not quite the same. I don't know of anyone who has actually gone out and bought another copy of XP / Vista to use in an upgrade when they have a OEM version sitting in a cupboard!! Come on for goodness sake, why should they when (A) they bought the software (B) MS activate it no problem at all

98% of people probably reactivate OEM
1% say they would never do that but more than likely do anyway!
1% probably abide by the sacred, EULA!

[Agent]

Not paying for software and Reactivating an OEM is not quite the same.

Come on Koolpc, this isn't hard to understand:

While you have paid for the OEM software, you have paid for it to work on one machine.

If you use it on any other machine, unless it is explicitly covered by the EULA, you have not paid for it.

It is exactly the same.

[Leggie]

This is somewhat off-topic, but does anyone know if the same applies to 64-bit retail versions of Windows XP Pro? That is to say, can I switch to 64-bit XP Professional with the same product key?

Thanks,

Leggie

[Koolpc]

I am not on about using it for more than one PC. I am on about using it for one PC when it is upgraded. The same PC. I know you will argue that changing components etc makes it a 'New' PC but why buy OEM after OEM when MS will happily activate it for you no problem at all?

The EULA is a stupid so called 'law' to make sure that MS keep lining their pockets! How many people actually abide by the EULA is very much debatable. I certainly don't know anyone who does so.

Some people may say they do when in fact in private, they don't!!

People should do what they feel fit anyway.

I am dead against people using 'Pirate' copies. People who definitely have not 'Paid' in the first place! At least when you buy an OEM version you have 'paid' for it.

I don't think MS loose any sleep over the fact that the average Joe public get away with reactivating the OEM version again and again. If that was the case they would be more strict in the matter. They are not as i know from experience etc.

[Sputnik]

MS will happily activate it for you no problem at all?

I updated the BIOS on a motherboard and when the machine was re-started it needed to be re-activated.
MS were not very helpful as they was saying it is not the same motherboard and the OEM license is locked to the motherboard.

They did eventually but, Reluctantly sort it for me.

[PeterStoba]

I bet you Agent didn't buy his windows, is running pirated software and regularly downloads music and films (joke btw)

I see where you're both coming from, and I know Agent is right, but I get KoolPC's point

[Koolpc]

I bet you Agent didn't buy his windows, is running pirated software and regularly downloads music and films (joke btw)

I see where you're both coming from, and I know Agent is right, but I get KoolPC's point

Yea, i agree, Agent is right. I am not disputing that. I am just saying that most people, myself included, opt to re-activate an OEM rather than go out and buy another copy when upgrading.

[Will404]

It's one of the copies of Vista that Microsoft gave away at the launch - I assume it's the retail version (Microsoft had a web site competition on the day of Vista's launch and the first 1000 or so people to answer a couple of questions correctly got a copy of Vista Ultimate).

Out of topic

Do you think they will do this on the day w7 comes out??

[Splash]

The EULA is a stupid so called 'law' to make sure that MS keep lining their pockets

Actually it's exactly what it says it is - an End User License Agreement. Something that you (as the End User) Agree to when you install the software.

If you don't agree to it, then don't use the software. How would you feel if Microsoft were to subpoena Hexus.net to provide them with your ip adresss to pursue a piracy suit? Again, I'm not saying that they would, merely pointing out that you're admitting on a public forum that you have breached the EULA, and that they *could* decide to take action over that.

[Koolpc]

Actually it's exactly what it says it is - an End User License Agreement. Something that you (as the End User) Agree to when you install the software.

If you don't agree to it, then don't use the software. How would you feel if Microsoft were to subpoena Hexus.net to provide them with your ip adresss to pursue a piracy suit? Again, I'm not saying that they would, merely pointing out that you're admitting on a public forum that you have breached the EULA, and that they *could* decide to take action over that.

No problem. I can't honestly see MS coming after one guy on a forum!! lol Bit like David V Goliath.

My software is legal!!

[Splash]

Unfortunately Koolpc if you have (as you say you have) reactivated your OEM license outside of the EULA then it's *not* legal. As for David vs Goliath - have you seen what the **AA have been doing all over the world? Just because you think it's acceptable to use software outside of the license doesn't mean it is.

EDIT - since some people seem to be struggling with the concept I've emailed Microsoft Licensing in the UK for the official line. Let's see what they come back with.

[Blastuk]

wow, this is pointless.. microsoft activated his copy for him.. don't lose any sleep now ok?

[Splash]

wow, this is pointless.. microsoft activated his copy for him.. don't lose any sleep now ok?

So the tack you're taking is that it's ok so long as you don't get caught?