New Mobo? New OS License says Microsoft

[Knightshade Dragon]

http://www.aviransplace.com/index.php/archives/2006/02/15/microsoft-upgraded-motherboard-new-licence/

“An upgrade of the motherboard is considered to result in a “new personal computer” to which Microsoft® OEM operating system software cannot be transferred from another computer. If the motherboard is upgraded or replaced for reasons other than a defect, then a new computer has been created and the license of new operating system software is required.”

The reason Microsoft gave for this term is that “Microsoft needed to have one base component “left standing” that would still define that original PC. Since the motherboard contains the CPU and is the “heart and soul” of the PC, when the motherboard is replaced (for reasons other than defect) a new PC is essentially created.”

I've not seen it anywhere else, but that sounds pretty MS-ish.

[Farscry]

Granted, we knew something like this was coming, but still... here's a big "screw you" from the monopolistic OS corp to the computer world.   :evil:   This is another reason why the laws should be changed so that companies can't just keep changing the license agreement on software you've already legally purchased.
 
This won't hurt the pirates, this will just hurt the people like me who (even though I could've easily cheated and gotten pirated software) legitimately bought my Windows XP package.  As long as I only have it installed on one PC at a time, I should be allowed to migrate it whenever I upgrade or change that computer.  I'm sure you guys will agree that's only reasonable.

[Knightshade Dragon]

They are doing their best to ensure people pirate.  Its the reverse of what they want.  Fools.

[wonderpug]

This won't hurt the pirates, this will just hurt the people like me who (even though I could've easily cheated and gotten pirated software) legitimately bought my Windows XP package.

If this news is true, and accurate, you wouldn't be affected since you have the retail version of Windows.  The article only mentions OEM versions being restricted.

Still,

[Laner]

Many OEM versions of Windows are already  tied to a particular machine... I had an IBM NetVista X40 several years ago that came with a version of Windows 98 that wouldn't install on anything other than that particular model of computer.

[Darren8r]

They are doing their best to ensure people pirate.  Its the reverse of what they want.  Fools.

I think they already accomplished that.

[unbreakable]

I can see this being very problematic for laptops.  Most of the hardware problems they have involve a mobo replacement.  I don't see that adding an OS reinstall to the fold is going to simplify things.

Anyway, I ignore early statements from MS.  They usually just throw out stuff to see how it plays, and then scale back to something reasonable.

[Sarkus]

I can see their point given the number of people who share OS software, but it sure will make the price of upgrading go up.   I wonder if we'll see bundling to make the deal more attractive, i.e. mobo/OS bundling.

[unbreakable]

You already have the option of getting an OEM version of the OS if you purchase hardware.

I think so much leeway was given in the past that you could purchase, for example, a game controller and they would allow you to purchase at the OEM price.  This may have not been entirely within the OEM agreement, so I think MS is taking their own steps to enforce this within the OS.

Anyway, what has me even more pissed off than this is the blue-ray/video card issue Firing Squad reported on.

[-Lord Ebonstone-]

...for reasons other than a defect...

Hello loophole!

I'd consider a PC that was running unacceptably slow in modern games 'defective.'  Wouldn't you?

[Goldchamp]

I can tell you firsthand this is FALSE. I installed a new mb and processor in my rig last weekend. Had to call MS. I even TOLD THEM it was a mb and processor upgrade. They promptly gave me a activation code. No questions asked.

[whiteboyskim]

I can tell you firsthand this is FALSE. I installed a new mb and processor in my rig last weekend. Had to call MS. I even TOLD THEM it was a mb and processor upgrade. They promptly gave me a activation code. No questions asked.

Exactly. Having to reactivate your copy of Windows is never a problem, though it is annoying to call them up and waste 10 minutes. But if you've swapped motherboards out they're cool with reactivating it. Or you can just tell them you had to reformat your system thanks to a virus and they'll reactivate it too. Thank you outsourcing to India.

[-Lord Ebonstone-]

Of course, I had to buy WinXP Pro again just a day ago because the jerks at ACER had to go and protect the XP install disc with some frontend bullshit that make sure XP Pro can't be installed on anything other than an ACER laptop.

What the fuck ever happened to OWNING WHAT YOU BUY?

[unbreakable]

What the fuck ever happened to OWNING WHAT YOU BUY?

That costs extra  

[Goldchamp]

Thank you outsourcing to India.  

You're right there, he had to repeat everything three times. I am not fluent in arabic.

[drifter]

You dont own software you only license it.

[Purge]

You dont own software you only license it.

It can be argued that the act of sale overrides any agreements contained within the sealed box; you can't even read the license included until you install the product. Since the license then CHANGES AFTERWARDS based on their discretion, you could not have possibly agreed to it at the register.

This has yet to be tested in a licensing case, but the sale of transaction should override the software licence. At least, I heard that from a friend of mine who used to be into patents and licenses and all that jazz. I'm not proficient in law.

If this is true, then they could see themselves facing class action as more and more people get burned by it and since a PC is completely modular, the license should be valid for any ONE PC at a time.

[drifter]

The problem you run into is with OEM software which is tied to a piece of hardware.  There is no issue in moving a license of a non-OEM to a new machine provided the software is de-installed from any prior machine.

Do I think its right?  No I sure do not.  Software companies in general get away with things no other industry can by only licensing the product.  You can buy a complete buggy mess of software and are basically stuck with it if you cant force a refund.  Imagine buying a six cylinder car but you can only use 3 cylinders until the manufacturer mails you a "plug-in" part that enables the other 3 cylinders six months down the road.