Genuine Software

[Tiddle]

I'm trying to buy the windows OS.
Vista. Xp.
but im a bit confused on how the whole serial activation works

I go and buy the software and install it put serial but that serial is for the computer only correct?

So do i buy them in bundles?

do some come with more keys per cd...etc.

Whats usually the pricing on them?

I can easily find a pirated boot disk online, but i dont want to do that anymore.

Im trying to go legit.

 

[ithinkyou5.0]

you can get keys that will work on mutliple pc's like what big companys use to install an OS on every pc in there network i recently got one for 80 pcs off ebay for reasonably cheap just hunt around.

 

[seedubya]

What you just bought off ebay is probably illegal. It amazes me the number of so-called professionals who can't manage to figure out just the very basics of licencing for the most common PC OS there has ever been.

 

[Tiddle]

What you just bought off ebay is probably illegal. It amazes me the number of so-called professionals who can't manage to figure out just the very basics of licencing for the most common PC OS there has ever been.

This is exactly why im asking...i dont wanna get ripped off.
Id rather pay the extra dollars to know i have genuine stuff.
And the discs also work as repair disc right? I can use the customers old key if i need to do a reinstall?
Im an amateur im learning as i go so please bare with me.
A link in the right direction would be greatly appreciated.
Or somewhere i can read up on this in detail.

I dont want the professional techies to feel that im just bumming for free information.
Ill read and figure it out if i have to


Thx

 

[seedubya]

Tiddle, I wasn't referring to you. You can legally buy and re-sell OEM Windows XP and Vista (soon W7 too). I'm not sure how it's done in the States (assuming you're in the States) but over here you buy them from Authorised Microsoft Resellers either in singles or in 3-packs. If you're a bigger operator you can even get your own OEM ID. Anyway a good basic guide is http://www.networkclue.com/os/Windows/licensing/index.aspx

The rules are pretty simple. OEM licences belong to one machine, are non-transferrable and die with that machine. Retail licences CAN be moved to another machine but may only be on one machine at a time. Volume licences are unknown below 25 systems and very unusual below 50. They may only be bought from an Authorised Reseller and if bought outside of the channel are considered by MS to be invalid EVEN if they were originally valid and unused. They may never be resold by an end-user company except as part of an overall sale of the company. They don't require activation.

Whether or not a Windows installation is repairable is dependent on a number of factors only one of which is which installation media was used. SCMIIR; in order for a repair install to work, the original media must allow a repair install (some OEM specific media don't), you must use the same type of media that was used to originally install and the installer must be able to recognise the existing installation.

 

[Tiddle]

Thanks C.W.

Where do you all purchase your Os From?
A site? Best Buy..? Etc..

 

[seedubya]

I buy all mine from Authorised Resellers, trade-only guys. They're not much (or any) cheaper but I get terms and next day delivery. You'll have to ask the US guys for their recommendations as my guys are IE only.

 

[Romaniac]

Tiddle,

It sounds like you need to get down with a few major know-how's and know-what's in the PC world.

Assuming you're in the states, www dot newegg dot com has some of the best prices around (but not all the time; always search with a couple of other sellers for comparison), for anything computers.

 

[Tiddle]

Tiddle,

It sounds like you need to get down with a few major know-how's and know-what's in the PC world.

Assuming you're in the states, www dot newegg dot com has some of the best prices around (but not all the time; always search with a couple of other sellers for comparison), for anything computers.

Yeah i know newegg
but i asked because there may be someone who knows a better site with cheaper prices...you feel?

What do you mean by know hows and know whats?

I dont know all the legal aspects of this business. Ive been working from home, i learned on my own like most of us did. The only times I've had genuine software was when i bought a PC and it came with it. All the other software Ive had have been from torrents and not exactly legal. I'm trying to expand and do things the right(legal) way.

So Romaniac if you could please educate me on the legal "know whats and hows" of this pc world I would really appreciate it.

 

[Romaniac]

Oh, sorry if it came out wrong. It just looked like you just wanted basic info....so I threw newegg around.

I was referring to sites like newegg, and other e-tailers like zipzoomfly.com, tigerdirect.com etc.

Hey, you found this forum - so that's a good step. This community is pretty cool.

I will add that google is your friend, and I would say most if not the majority of issues can be found like that. I think you knew this, but just in case.
And another redundant thing that is always a good reminder, is to sue the 'search' function before making a new post; though don't stress too hard.


This site has a few suggestions, like the PC Technician's "Bible" How to Upgrade and Repair Computers book (Left side banner) as a recommendation, or the Technician's quick reference guide, offered by technibble.

Again, sorry if my words came out a bit pretentious.

 

[Tiddle]

Oh, sorry if it came out wrong. It just looked like you just wanted basic info....so I threw newegg around.

I was referring to sites like newegg, and other e-tailers like zipzoomfly.com, tigerdirect.com etc.

Hey, you found this forum - so that's a good step. This community is pretty cool.

I will add that google is your friend, and I would say most if not the majority of issues can be found like that. I think you knew this, but just in case.
And another redundant thing that is always a good reminder, is to sue the 'search' function before making a new post; though don't stress too hard.


This site has a few suggestions, like the PC Technician's "Bible" How to Upgrade and Repair Computers book (Left side banner) as a recommendation, or the Technician's quick reference guide, offered by technibble.

Again, sorry if my words came out a bit pretentious.

Lol Nah Its cool and im sorry if i snapped.
I just really thought there was like some uber super website or something that others might know. I guess ill just shop around...but at least i know how the how the whole windows licensing works.