Licensing (Yes I know...

[rwslippey]

Yes I know, I'm sorry, I've read the sticky and I'm just trying to clear something up in my mind.

After reading the sticky, I've got a much better understanding of windows licensing than I did (Thanks Microsoft)

My situation... For the most part I don't do a lot of work in the repair world but occasionally I get asked to look at a computer (friend, family, client for other services)...

My problem is always the same, nobody EVER keeps their CDs. For instance today I'm working on a system that I've concluded (after much deliberation and honetly I HATE reinstalling, but it's the only solution...)

It's running Windows XP Pro with a referbished COA on the box, Old sticker was covered saying use referbished COA.

How in the world can once reinstall the OS without buying a new license . Has Microsoft Completly abandoned their users ability to reinstall. Do they provide an install medium for repair shops that will work with other exisiting licenses.

I did read in the sticky that an OEM install needs an OEM cd, if you don't have it call the OEM, but this can be a real pain in the you know what.

I also didn't see anything regarding refurbished systems and reinstallation.

Has anyone come up with a simple solution to keep the customer happy? I'm pretty sure that if I ever told a client that they had to call dell and get a new copy of their OEM disk that they'd probably scratch their head and wounder why they're trusting me to fix their system, if I'm teling them to call Dell. That doesn't even go into them having to pay for it.


Again I'm sorry I'm just trying to clear a few things up that I didnt get out of the sticky. Has anyone come up with a simpler solution, since Microsoft seems to be amandoning users after initial issue of the license?

Thanks

Rob

 

[Kitten Kong]

Hi Rob

Re this particular issue, and the refurb'd coa. You would need to reinstall windows, using the refurb'd cd's which come direct from MS. (you get them after ordering x no of licence coa's). If the COA is unreadable, then I personally can't see another way round it i'm afraid.

Either that, or use another form of recovery media, (note not directly from the manu), ie genner sales, or similar.

There is another sticky re refurbished systems, and reinstalls, also in the MS sub forum.

 

[rwslippey]

Thanks for the reply. Again I'm sorry, I did read the refurbed stickey. But what I think your suggesting that I can just gain the refurbed CD from Micorosoft and use it to reinstall with the original refurbed license. It just seems like Microsoft is trying to double their sales by reselling licenses to computers that already have them.

How does this play into an older system being refurbed. Aka I have a customer with a computer, no install cd, and it needs a reinstall, is the best solution to reinstall using the refurb program


Thanks agian

Rob

 

[nlinecomputers]

I've never dealt with an "official" referb PC. But is not the media the same disk as your standard DSP OEM Microsoft Windows Xp Pro disk. It's not like Retail COA that only work on Retail Xp disks? Or is that not the case here.


***** And before someone jumps down my throat about it. Yes TECHNICALLY/STICK UP A LAWYERS BACKSIDE it is not legal to use your disk to reinstall. The real world as even said to me by a onstage Microsoft rep at a System Builder event. "You can use your media to get a client back online so long as your not selling them the media nor providing them with a copy of windows they didn't already own. Microsoft has already got their money and you are not taking any away from us so we don't care. Mass produce PCs with fake or stolen Product Keys and Microsoft will sue you and even possibly arrest you. Getting the poor slob back on line who lost his CD. M$ couldn't give a rat's b-hind about." /rant

 

[nlinecomputers]

Thanks for the reply. Again I'm sorry, I did read the refurbed stickey. But what I think your suggesting that I can just gain the refurbed CD from Micorosoft and use it to reinstall with the original refurbed license. It just seems like Microsoft is trying to double their sales by reselling licenses to computers that already have them.

How does this play into an older system being refurbed. Aka I have a customer with a computer, no install cd, and it needs a reinstall, is the best solution to reinstall using the refurb program


Thanks agian

Rob

Yes and no. There is a difference in returning a system to it's purchased state for a client that already owns it, a repair, and altering the system for a new sale. Repairs are not refurbs.

Now if you own a used PC and plan to resell it: If you format the HDD on an old 4 year old PC use the recovery CDs and sell it then you've not done a refurbishment. It is in the exact same condition as it was when it was sold 4 years ago. If you install Windows on the PC and update all the software to the newest state then it is arguably a refurbishment. Especially if you are not using the recovery CDs.