Microsoft: Upgraded Motherboard = New Windows Licence

[SUBMAN1]

I'm in the mood to create some hot debates today, so I am sure this will tick off a lot of people like it ticks me off. This has nothing to do with anything other than greed to me:

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

Microsoft: Upgraded Motherboard = New Windows Licence

Microsoft recently made a change to the licence agreement saying that a new motherboard is equal to a new computer, hence you need to purchase a new Windows licence.

Here is what Microsoft has to say:

“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.”

Microsoft sent a memo to its OEM partners asking them to enforce this new policy, every time they upgrade a computer for a client.

[Takeda Shingen]

Ah, Micro$haft strikes again. Let loose the flames.

[TteFAboB]

Computer parts recyclers, get ready, you'll receive plenty of defective motherboards in the following months.

[Takeda Shingen]

Computer parts recyclers, get ready, you'll receive plenty of defective motherboards in the following months.

:rotfl:

[SUBMAN1]

I think that people should start to take a hard look at the Linux side of things. Aside from playing video games (Even though it is possible to make 90% of them work), there is nothing holding anyone back from doing any of the other work one would want to do on Linux. Besides, even OpenOffice 2.0 is free.

I run Gentoo linux currently on my main box as my main OS and dual boot it with Windows XP MCE 2005 so that I can get the best of both worlds. All my other boxes however are running XP, + both of my latops run XP, but I can bet you that I am not paying to upgrade them all to Vista when Vista arrives on the scene. They will either stay with XP, or be migrated to Linux.

-S

[STEED]

Microsoft wants you to buy a new Windows licence every time you upgrade your motherboard. Microsoft changed its licence agreement to reflect this policy change.

WHAT :huh: COME ON :hulk:

[Spoon 11th]

I don't understand the anger about this. OEM license is binded to the hardware you bought it with.

Current prices in Finland:
1. Win XP Pro OEM is 137 euros
2. Win XP Pro normal is 358 euros

If you want to build your own computer and upgrade it later you need to buy the more expensive normal edition of the operating system. Simple as that.

[SUBMAN1]

I don't understand the anger about this. OEM license is binded to the hardware you bought it with.

Current prices in Finland:
1. Win XP Pro OEM is 137 euros
2. Win XP Pro normal is 358 euros

If you want to build your own computer and upgrade it later you need to buy the more expensive normal edition of the operating system. Simple as that.

Huh? What this is saying is that if you upgrade your MB, even in the same manufacturer (which wouldn't require a new OEM copy), you have to pay for it all over again. That is not right to pay for software that you already paid for again.

-S

[Wim Libaers]

Huh? What this is saying is that if you upgrade your MB, even in the same manufacturer (which wouldn't require a new OEM copy), you have to pay for it all over again. That is not right to pay for software that you already paid for again.

-S

Well, that's their business model. Anything that brings in money is defined as "right".

[Ramius]

..... but I can bet you that I am not paying to upgrade them all to Vista when Vista arrives on the scene. They will either stay with XP, or be migrated to Linux....

Unless you wish to be able to play Halo 2. From what ive read you'll need Vista to be able to play it :nope: :nope:


Linux does seem to be something to seriously think about now-a-days.
The only thing that is putting me off at the moment is making sure that all my current devices will work with it. ie wireless and TV cards.

Games wise, i noticed something the otherday that seems to all most windows games to be installed on a Linux box :up:
Its not open source though :shifty:
But from the site, it does list Sub Command and SH 1,2 and 3 as all playable :sunny: :sunny: and hopefully DW will also work.

[GT182]

Linux will be included. All motherboards sold in the future will contain the Fritz-Chip. Or you will need to buy an addon card that has it for your existing motherboard. No joke.

Check the links here in my post..... http://www.subsim.com/phpBB/viewtopic.php?t=48382&start=175

[sonar732]

Another question is how will they know if the Mainboard was returned for defect or not when you reactivate the OS?

[bradclark1]

Linux will be included. All motherboards sold in the future will contain the Fritz-Chip. Or you will need to buy an addon card that has it for your existing motherboard. No joke.

Check the links here in my post..... http://www.subsim.com/phpBB/viewtopic.php?t=48382&start=175

I don't know if this is on the up and up. It seems kind of unbeliveable to me. The Linux, Opensource community and civil liberties people would go bonkers and we would be hearing about it everywhere.
I say it's a gag.

[AG124]

It is real, and is starting to spread over tech sites.

Apparently though, it only applies to OEM versions of Windows, and not to retail copies which you purchase independently of your computer.

http://www.osnews.com/story.php?news_id=13705

Still Microsoft is pushing things way too far - if there weren't so many programs which are not compatible with Linux, I'd have switched over long ago. I've already replaced IE with Firefox, and only use IE when I absolutely have no choice (Panda online anti-spyware scanner, Windows Update, etc).

[GT182]

Is it possible to use the retail copy on more than one computer? I have a second older pc that I've thought of using the retail copy of XP I have on it, instead of the OEM that came with it. I don't like all the garbage included with the OEM.

[bradclark1]

Is it possible to use the retail copy on more than one computer? I have a second older pc that I've thought of using the retail copy of XP I have on it, instead of the OEM that came with it. I don't like all the garbage included with the OEM.

No. Microsoft won't let you register more than one computer with XP's serial number. That means that after 30 days you wont get past the sign-in screen.
What you can do is uninstall most of the OEM add-on garbage without affecting your computer.

[GT182]

Ok BC, thanks.

I did that on the old pc's last reformat with the OEM.

[Iceman]

Piss and moan everyone wants something for free....go build an O.S. yourself or pony up,pay up, and stfu. :)

[Letum]

:down: damm right wing free market monopolys :down:

[TteFAboB]

If it's a monopoly, where's the free-market?