jaclaz

Look at the bright side: if you have to test your 100'' new display, form factor 1/279 and a video card with resolution 768 x zillions pixels, it can come handy, also good to add some miles to your "frequent mouse wheeler" bonus program jaclaz

Let's try and separate the three questions: 1) Is it possible to boot from a USB stick if there is no BIOS support on the motherboard? Short Answer: YES. Long Answer: There are two possible approaches: a. (easy if it works on your hardware) PLOP: http://www.plop.at/ http://www.plop.at/en/bootmanager.html http://www.plop.at/en/bootmngrusblog.html b. XP Kansas City Shuffle: http://www.911cd.net/forums//index.php?showtopic=21242 guaranteed to work, but still experimental, not fully documented, needs some technical knowlwdge to be implemented 2) Is it possible to pre-assign a drive letter to a given partition? Short Answer: YES. Long Answer: Setting a drive letter for Windows Setup it is possible using mkmigrate.inf, or setupreg.hiv, read here: http://www.911cd.net/forums//index.php?showtopic=19663 http://www.911cd.net/forums//index.php?showtopic=21682 Again, a bit technical. 3) Is it possible to change the default location for "Documents and Settings". Short Answer: YES. Long Answer: It's a setting in txtsetup.sif if I recall correctly , that can be overridden with unattended text, search the board in the Unattended section. But the general question is another one, from what I can get from your post you re-install Windows every week or so because your accounting software gets updated? This is - to say the least - peculiar. Could you describe with more detail what you do (or think you have to do) and why you cannot simply install the update or restore a previously disk image? In other words, maybe there is a simpler solution to solve your problem through a different approach. jaclaz

Yep, that was the point on which since the beginning: http://www.911cd.net/forums//index.php?sho...181&st=1572 I was (and still am ): http://www.911cd.net/forums//index.php?sho...=21895&st=7 in disagreement with ...Tim... , but it is his work, if he likes to count everyone using his app, he has FULL rights to do so . However, don't think it's as easy as it can seem to put together a working batch or .script to replicate Dietmar's successes, as there is a huge number of variables involved, and from experience feedback from users of automated scripts - no offence intended - tends to be scarce or very difficult to troubleshoot. I mean, we have a CATCH22 kind of thingy: 1) If you do not know how to do something "by hand" you use a script written by someone who knows 2) If ANY problem arises with the script you have to know how to do that thing "by hand" to find the problem ... and of course: http://quotations.about.com/od/douglasadam...ouglas_adam.htm Cheers, jaclaz

So, after all was a malfunctioning device? For the record, checking the device with ChipGenius or similar utility should: 1) check how the device is seen by windows, or more properly how windows receives the data the device sends, it's ID, etc. which indirectly also: 2) checks that the device is not underpowered or failed (an underpowered device or a defective cable/connection or device itself will possibly send "garbage" instead of a proper Vid, Pid and Manufacturer/Model ID string) jaclaz

The tutorial at ngine.de was derived by 911CD member tubo from the original tutorials by Dietmar Stoelting, which you can find in the original megathread in Dietmar's signature: http://www.911cd.net/forums//index.php?showtopic=14181 Another 911cd member ...Tim... created an app to FULLY automate XP install on USB device, no matter if "stick" or "HD", here: http://www.usboot.org/tiki-index.php Which is strongly advised as first attempt. There are reports that copying and pasting files from ngine.de creates problems. Though I recommend to read, if not the entire thread (around 100 pages) at least Dietmar's Tutorials, to have a clear idea of WHY and HOW it works, the USBoot.org method is an already working automated method that works in the vast majority of cases. If doing it manually, try folowing the ngine.de tutorial but use the files posted here: http://www.msfn.org/board/USB-Booting-issues-t119963.html http://www.msfn.org/board/USB-Booting-issu....html&st=23 jaclaz

Quite frankly I do not understand your approach, you ask for ideas, then continue going on your path, disregarding them. I will try again, maybe I was too brief: NO MATTER whether a driver is installed or not, one of the linked to program should detect the USB device and it's Vid and Pid. I don't care whether there are conflicts, I want to know how the floppy drive "identifies" itself. If you cannot get the above, it is possible that the device or the USB bus are malfunctioning. Once you get them, you can "tweak" an .inf file to "assign" the found that particular Vid & Pid to a given driver. Also check the Registry for "Upper Filter" and "Lower Filter" drivers (usually installed by some Virtual Drive program, as they can mess up the USB device recognising. .pnf files are just .inf files pre-compressed. You should delete the related .pnf files, in order to make Windows XP re-create them from the correspondent .inf ones. What I would do AFTER having checked the Vid & Pid and the ID string of the device: 1) disconnect ANY USB connected device 2) go in device manager and REMOVE everything related to USB, including Hub(s) drivers 3) delete all USB*.PNF files 4) delete all OEM*.PNF files 5) Reboot 6) let windows re-install the various USB related drivers 7) try connecting the floppy again jaclaz

Some ideas (not necessarily good ones ) 1. determine the USB Vid & Pid of the device, use any of the software linked to in this thread: http://www.boot-land.net/forums/?showtopic=4661 2. read this thread: http://www.msfn.org/board/F6_Driver_USB_Fl...11.html&hl= Post if something does not make sense to you, if you used Chipgenius, post also the additional information it may give. jaclaz

Sorry for the first four *'s I didn't think that word filter on MSFN was that strict.... jaclaz

FYI, my comments on the DBRL helper: http://gparted.sourceforge.net/liveusb.php http://www.clonezilla.org/download/nchc/live-usb-helper/ http://www.boot-land.net/forums/?showtopic=4902&st=47 jaclaz

Sure. Good comments? Maybe. My personal take on the matter, not necessarily legally sound and definitely NOT in every country. The Microsoft (as most software Licenses) EULA's is a contract where: 1) You pay an amount of money to be authorized to USE a software within a number of "set rules" 2) The Vendor grants you this right in exchange for money Besides the fact that in my personal opinion, at least in Italy and possibly in all EU, this contract is hardly enforceable as it is NOT signed by the two parts, thus being potentially void of all effects, often it is worded in such a way that, expecially for consumer market, it violates basic rights of information, as a recent sentence has stated regarding OEM XP: http://www.msfn.org/board/Not-sure-why-thi...ng-t115968.html the actual media containing the software may or may not be part of the deal, see the old U.S. class action against HP: http://www.911cd.net/forums//index.php?showtopic=16343 http://web.archive.org/web/*/http://www.co...settlement.com/ The "standard" Win98SE Eula: MICROSOFT WINDOWS 98 SECOND EDITION END-USER LICENSE AGREEMENT FOR MICROSOFT SOFTWARE IMPORTANT-READ CAREFULLY: This Microsoft End-User License Agreement ("EULA") is a legal agreement between you (either an individual or a single entity) and Microsoft Corporation for the Microsoft software product identified above, which includes computer software and may include associated media, printed materials, and "online" or electronic documentation ("SOFTWARE PRODUCT"). The SOFTWARE PRODUCT also includes any updates and supplements to the original SOFTWARE PRODUCT provided to you by Microsoft. Any software provided along with the SOFTWARE PRODUCT that is associated with a separate end-user license agreement is licensed to you under the terms of that license agreement. By installing, copying, downloading, accessing or otherwise using the SOFTWARE PRODUCT, you agree to be bound by the terms of this EULA. If you do not agree to the terms of this EULA, do not install or use the SOFTWARE PRODUCT; you may, however, return it to your place of purchase for a full refund. SOFTWARE PRODUCT LICENSE The SOFTWARE PRODUCT is protected by copyright laws and international copyright treaties, as well as other intellectual property laws and treaties. The SOFTWARE PRODUCT is licensed, not sold. 1. GRANT OF LICENSE. This EULA grants you the following rights: Systems Software. You may install and use one copy of the SOFTWARE PRODUCT on a single computer, including a workstation, terminal or other digital electronic device ("COMPUTER"). You may permit a maximum of five (5) COMPUTERS to connect to the single COMPUTER running the SOFTWARE PRODUCT solely to access the Internet using the Internet Connection Sharing feature of the SOFTWARE PRODUCT. You may not allow these connected COMPUTERS to use any other components of the SOFTWARE PRODUCT, nor to invoke application sharing as described below. The five (5) connection maximum includes any indirect connections made through software or hardware which pools or aggregates connections. Storage/Network Use. You may also store or install a copy of the SOFTWARE PRODUCT on a storage device, such as a network server, used only to install or run the SOFTWARE PRODUCT on your other COMPUTERS over an internal network; however, you must acquire and dedicate a license for each separate COMPUTER on or from which the SOFTWARE PRODUCT is installed, used, accessed, displayed or run. A license for the SOFTWARE PRODUCT may not be shared or used concurrently on different COMPUTERS. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any number of COMPUTERS may access or otherwise utilize the file and print services and peer web services of the SOFTWARE PRODUCT. In addition, you may use the "Multiple Display" feature of the SOFTWARE PRODUCT to expand your desktop as described in the on-line Help file, without obtaining a license for each display. License Pak. If this package is a Microsoft License Pak, you may install and use additional copies of the computer software portion of the SOFTWARE PRODUCT up to the number of copies specified above as "Licensed Copies". 2. DESCRIPTION OF OTHER RIGHTS AND LIMITATIONS Academic Edition Software. If the SOFTWARE PRODUCT is identified as "Academic Edition" or "AE," you must be a "Qualified Educational User" to use the SOFTWARE PRODUCT. If you are not a Qualified Education User, you have no rights under this EULA. To determine if you are a Qualified Educational User, please contact the Microsoft Sales Information Center/One Microsoft Way/Redmond, WA 98052-6399 or the Microsoft subsidiary serving your country. Not For Resale Software. If the SOFTWARE PRODUCT is labeled "Not For Resale" or "NFR," then, notwithstanding other sections of this EULA, your use of the SOFTWARE PRODUCT is limited to use for demonstration, test, or evaluation purposes and you may not resell, or otherwise transfer for value, the SOFTWARE PRODUCT. Limitations on Reverse Engineering, Decompilation, and Disassembly. You may not reverse engineer, decompile, or disassemble the SOFTWARE PRODUCT, except and only to the extent that such activity is expressly permitted by applicable law notwithstanding this limitation. Separation of Components. The SOFTWARE PRODUCT is licensed as a single product. Its component parts may not be separated for use on more than one computer. Rental. You may not rent, lease or lend the SOFTWARE PRODUCT. Trademarks. This EULA does not grant you any rights in connection with any trademarks or service marks of Microsoft. Application Sharing. The SOFTWARE PRODUCT may contain Microsoft NetMeeting, a product that enables applications to be shared between two or more computers, even if an application is installed on only one of the computers. You may use this technology with all Microsoft application products for multi-party conferences. For non-Microsoft applications, you should consult the accompanying license agreement or contact the licensor to determine whether application sharing is permitted by the licensor. Support Services. Microsoft may provide you with support services related to the SOFTWARE PRODUCT ("Support Services"). Use of Support Services is governed by the Microsoft polices and programs described in the user manual, in "on line" documentation and/or other Microsoft-provided materials. Any supplemental software code provided to you as part of the Support Services shall be considered part of the SOFTWARE PRODUCT and subject to the terms and conditions of this EULA. With respect to technical information you provide to Microsoft as part of the Support Services, Microsoft may use such information for its business purposes, including for product support and development. Microsoft will not utilize such technical information in a form that personally identifies you. Software Transfer. The initial user of the SOFTWARE PRODUCT may make a one-time permanent transfer of this EULA and SOFTWARE PRODUCT only directly to an end user. This transfer must include all of the SOFTWARE PRODUCT (including all component parts, the media and printed materials, any upgrades, this EULA, and, if applicable, the Certificate of Authenticity). Such transfer may not be by way of consignment or any other indirect transfer. The transferee of such one-time transfer must agree to comply with the terms of this EULA, including the obligation not to further transfer this EULA and SOFTWARE PRODUCT. Termination. Without prejudice to any other rights, Microsoft may terminate this EULA if you fail to comply with the terms and conditions of this EULA. In such event, you must destroy all copies of the SOFTWARE PRODUCT and all of its component parts. 3. UPGRADES. If the SOFTWARE PRODUCT is labeled as an upgrade, you must be properly licensed to use a product identified by Microsoft as being eligible for the upgrade in order to use the SOFTWARE PRODUCT. A SOFTWARE PRODUCT labeled as an upgrade replaces and/or supplements the product that formed the basis for your eligibility for the upgrade. You may use the resulting upgraded product only in accordance with the terms of this EULA. If the SOFTWARE PRODUCT is an upgrade of a component of a package of software programs that you licensed as a single product, the SOFTWARE PRODUCT may be used and transferred only as part of that single product package and may not be separated for use on more than one computer. 4. COPYRIGHT. All title and intellectual property rights in and to the SOFTWARE PRODUCT (including but not limited to any images, photographs, animations, video, audio, music, text, and "applets" incorporated into the SOFTWARE PRODUCT), the accompanying printed materials, and any copies of the SOFTWARE PRODUCT are owned by Microsoft or its suppliers. All title and intellectual property rights in and to the content which may be accessed through use of the SOFTWARE PRODUCT is the property of the respective content owner and may be protected by applicable copyright or other intellectual property laws and treaties. This EULA grants you no rights to use such content. All rights not expressly granted are reserved by Microsoft. 5. DUAL-MEDIA SOFTWARE. You may receive the SOFTWARE PRODUCT in more than one medium. Regardless of the type or size of medium you receive, you may use only one medium that is appropriate for your single computer. You may not use or install the other medium on another computer. You may not loan, rent, lease, lend or otherwise transfer the other medium to another user, except as part of the permanent transfer (as provided above) of the SOFTWARE PRODUCT. 6. BACKUP COPY. After installation of one copy of the SOFTWARE PRODUCT pursuant to this EULA, you may keep the original media on which the SOFTWARE PRODUCT was provided by Microsoft solely for backup or archival purposes. If the original media is required to use the SOFTWARE PRODUCT on the COMPUTER, you may make one copy of the SOFTWARE PRODUCT solely for backup or archival purposes. Except as expressly provided in this EULA, you may not otherwise make copies of the SOFTWARE PRODUCT or the printed materials accompanying the SOFTWARE PRODUCT. 7. U.S. GOVERNMENT RESTRICTED RIGHTS. All SOFTWARE PRODUCT provided to the U.S. Government pursuant to solicitations issued on or after December 1, 1995 is provided with the commercial license rights and restrictions described elsewhere herein. All SOFTWARE PRODUCT provided to the U. S. Government pursuant to soliciations issued prior to December 1, 1995 is provided with "Restricted Rights" as provided for in FAR, 48 CFR 52.227-14 (JUNE 1987) or DFAR, 48 CFR 252.227-7013 (OCT 1988), as applicable. 8. EXPORT RESTRICTIONS. You agree that you will not export or re-export the SOFTWARE PRODUCT, any part thereof, or any process or service that is the direct product of the SOFTWARE PRODUCT (the foregoing collectively referred to as the "Restricted Components"), to any country, person or entity subject to U.S. export restrictions. You specifically agree not to export or re-export any of the Restricted Components: (i) to any country to which the U.S. has embargoed or restricted the export of goods or services, which currently include, but are not necessarily limited to Cuba, Iran, Iraq, Libya, North Korea, Sudan and Syria, or to any national of any such country, wherever located, who intends to transmit or transport the Restricted Components back to such country; (ii) to any person or entity who you know or have reason to know will utilize the Restricted Components in the design, development or production of nuclear, chemical or biological weapons; or (iii) to any person or entity who has been prohibited from participating in U.S. export transactions by any federal agency of the U.S. government. You warrant and represent that neither the BXA nor any other U.S. federal agency has suspended, revoked or denied your export privileges. 9. NOTE ON JAVA SUPPORT. THE SOFTWARE PRODUCT MAY CONTAIN SUPPORT FOR PROGRAMS WRITTEN IN JAVA. JAVA TECHNOLOGY IS NOT FAULT TOLERANT AND IS NOT DESIGNED, MANUFACTURED, OR INTENDED FOR USE OR RESALE AS ON-LINE CONTROL EQUIPMENT IN HAZARDOUS ENVIRONMENTS REQUIRING FAIL-SAFE PERFORMANCE, SUCH AS IN THE OPERATION OF NUCLEAR FACILITIES, AIRCRAFT NAVIGATION OR COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS, AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL, DIRECT LIFE SUPPORT MACHINES, OR WEAPONS SYSTEMS, IN WHICH THE FAILURE OF JAVA TECHNOLOGY COULD LEAD DIRECTLY TO DEATH, PERSONAL INJURY, OR SEVERE PHYSICAL OR ENVIRONMENTAL DAMAGE. Sun Microsystems, Inc. has contractually obligated Microsoft to make this disclaimer. MISCELLANEOUS If you acquired this product in the United States, this EULA is governed by the laws of the State of Washington. If you acquired this product in Canada, this EULA is governed by the laws of the Province of Ontario, Canada. Each of the parties hereto irrevocably attorns to the jurisdiction of the courts of the Province of Ontario and further agrees to commence any litigation which may arise here under in the courts located in the Judicial District of York, Province of Ontario. If this product was acquired outside the United States, then local law may apply. Should you have any questions concerning this EULA, or if you desire to contact Microsoft for any reason, please contact Microsoft, or write: Microsoft Sales Information Center/One Microsoft Way/Redmond, WA 98052-6399. LIMITED WARRANTY Microsoft warrants that the SOFTWARE PRODUCT will perform substantially in accordance with the accompanying written materials for a period of ninety (90) days from the date of receipt. If an implied warranty or condition is created by your state/jurisdiction and federal or state/provincial law prohibits disclaimer of it, you also have an implied warranty or condition,BUT ONLY AS TO DEFECTS DISCOVERED DURING THE PERIOD OF THIS LIMITED WARRANTY (NINETY (90) DAYS). AS TO ANY DEFECTS DISCOVERED AFTER THE NINETY (90) DAY PERIOD, THERE IS NO WARRANTY OR CONDITION OF ANY KIND. Some states/jurisdictions do not allow limitations on duration of an implied warranty, so the above limitation may not apply to you. Any supplements or updates to the SOFTWARE PRODUCT, including without limitation, any (if any) service pack or hot fixes provided to you after the expiration of the ninety (90) day Limited Warranty period are not covered by any warranty or condition, express or implied. LIMITATION ON REMEDIES; NO CONSEQUENTIAL OR OTHER DAMAGES Your exclusive remedy for any breach of this Limited Warranty is as set forth below. Except for any refund elected by Microsoft, YOU ARE NOT ENTITLED TO ANY DAMAGES, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, if the SOFTWARE PRODUCT does not meet Microsoft's Limited Warranty, and, to the maximum extent allowed by applicable law, even if any remedy fails of its essential purpose. The terms "Exclusion of Incidental, Consequential and Certain Other Damages" below are also incorporated into this Limited Warranty. Some states/jurisdictions do not allow the exclusion or limitation of incidental or consequential damages, so the above limitation or exclusion may not apply to you. This Limited Warranty gives you specific legal rights. You may have others which vary from state/jurisdiction to state/jurisdiction. YOUR EXCLUSIVE REMEDY Microsoft's and its suppliers' entire liability and your exclusive remedy shall be, at Microsoft's option from time to time, (a) return of the price paid (if any) for, or (B) repair or replacement of, the SOFTWARE PRODUCT that does not meet this Limited Warranty and that is returned to Microsoft with a copy of your receipt. You will receive the remedy elected by Microsoft without charge, except that you are responsible for any expenses you may incur (e.g. cost of shipping the SOFTWARE PRODUCT to Microsoft). This Limited Warranty is void if failure of the SOFTWARE PRODUCT has resulted from accident, abuse, misapplication, abnormal use or a virus. Any replacement SOFTWARE PRODUCT will be warranted for the remainder of the original warranty period or thirty (30) days, whichever is longer. Outside the United States or Canada, neither these remedies nor any product support services offered by Microsoft are available without proof of purchase from an authorized international source. To exercise your remedy, contact: Microsoft, Attn. Microsoft Sales Information Center at the address specified above. DISCLAIMER OF WARRANTIES The limited warranty that appears above is the only express warranty made to you and is provided in lieu of any other express warranties (if any) created by any documentation or packaging. Except for the limited warranty and to the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, Microsoft and its suppliers provide the SOFTWARE PRODUCT and Support Services (if any) AS IS AND WITH ALL FAULTS, and hereby disclaim all other warranties andconditions, either express, implied or statutory, including, but not limited to, any (if any) implied warranties or conditions of merchantability, of fitness for a particular purpose, of lack of viruses, of accuracy or completeness of responses, of results, and of lack of negligence or lack of workmanlike effort, all with regard to the SOFTWARE PRODUCT, and the provision of or failure to provide Support Services. ALSO, THERE IS NO WARRANTY OR CONDITION OF TITLE, QUIET ENJOYMENT, QUIET POSSESSION, CORRESPONDENCE TO DESCRIPTION OR NON-INFRINGEMENT WITH REGARD TO THE SOFTWARE PRODUCT. EXCLUSION OF INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL AND CERTAIN OTHER DAMAGES To the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, in no event shall Microsoft or its suppliers be liable for any special, incidental, indirect, or consequential damages whatsoever (including, but not limited to, damages for loss of profits or confidential or other information, for business interruption, for personal injury, for loss of privacy, for failure to meet any duty including of good faith or of reasonable care, for negligence, and for any other pecuniary or other loss whatsoever) arising out of or in any way related to the use of or inability to use the SOFTWARE PRODUCT, the provision of or failure to provide Support Services, or otherwise under or in connection with any provision of this EULA, even in the event of the fault, tort (including negligence), strict liability, breach of contract or breach of warranty of Microsoft or any supplier, and even if microsoft or any supplier has been advised of the possibility of such damages. LIMITATION OF LIABILITY AND REMEDIES Notwithstanding any damages that you might incur for any reason whatsoever (including, without limitation, all damages referenced above and all direct or general damages), the entire liability of Microsoft and any of its suppliers under any provision of this EULA and your exclusive remedy for all of the foregoing (except for any remedy of repair or replacement elected by Microsoft with respect to any breach of the Limited Warranty) shall be limited to the greater of the amount actually paid by you for the SOFTWARE PRODUCT or U.S.$5.00. The foregoing limitations, exclusions and disclaimers described above shall apply to the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, even if any remedy fails its essential purpose. Si vous avez acquis votre produit Microsoft au CANADA, la garantie limitée suivante vous concerne: Microsoft garantit que la performance du PRODUIT LOGICIEL sera substantiellement en conformité avec la documentation écrite qui accompagne le PRODUIT LOGICIEL, pour une période de quatre-vingt-dix (90) jours à compter de la date de réception. Si une garantie ou condition implicite ou légale existe en vertu de la loi de votre état ou juridiction et qu'une loi fédérale ou provinciale prohibe toute exclusion ou renonciation à une telle garantie ou condition, vous avez également une garantie ou condition implicite ou légale, MAIS SEULEMENT EN CE QUI CONCERNE LES DÉFAUTS DÉCOUVERTS PENDANT LA DURÉE DE CETTE GARANTIE LIMITÉE (QUATRE-VINGT-DIX (90) JOURS). EN CE QUI CONCERNE LES DÉFAUTS DÉCOUVERTS APRÈS LA DURÉE DE QUATRE-VINGT-DIX (90) JOURS, IL N'EXISTE AUCUNE GARANTIE OU CONDITION DE QUELQUE NATURE QUE CE SOIT. Puisque certains états ou juridictions ne permettent pas la limitation de la durée des garanties ou conditions légales ou implicites, il est possible que la limitation ci-dessus ne vous concerne pas. Tout supplément ou mise à jour du PRODUIT LOGICIEL, y compris sans limitation, tout (s'il y a lieu) ensemble de modifications provisoires (``Service Pack`` ou ``hot fixes``) qui vous est fourni après l'expiration de la période de quatre-vingt-dix (90) jours de cette garantie limitée ne sont couverts par aucune garantie ou condition, expresse ou implicite, légale ou conventionnelle, écrite ou verbale. LIMITATION DES RECOURS; ABSENCE DE DOMMAGES INDIRECTS ET AUTRES Votre unique recours pour tout manquement à la présente Garantie Limitée est tel que décrit ci-dessous. À l'exception de tout remboursement à la discrétion de Microsoft, VOUS N'AVEZ DROIT À AUCUN DOMMAGE, Y COMPRIS, MAIS SANS LIMITATION, LES DOMMAGES INDIRECTS, ACCESSOIRES, MORAUX OU EXEMPLAIRES, si le PRODUIT LOGICIEL n'est pas conforme à la Garantie Limitée de Microsoft et ce, dans toute la mesure permise par la législation en vigueur, et même si un recours est privé de son essence. Les termes du paragraphe ci-dessous intitulé ``Absence de dommages accessoires, indirects et autres`` font également partie intégrante de la présente Garantie Limitée. Puisque certains états ou juridictions ne permettent pas l'exclusion ou la limitation des dommages accessoires et indirects, il est possible que la limitation ou exclusion ci-dessus ne vous concerne pas. Cette Garantie Limitée vous accorde des droits juridiques spécifiques. Il est possible que vous en ayez d'autres variant d'un état ou d'une juridiction à l'autre. VOTRE SEUL RECOURS La seule responsabilité de Microsoft et de ses fournisseurs et votre unique recours sont, au choix de Microsoft, de temps à autre, (a) le remboursement du prix payé (selon le cas) pour, ou (B) la réparation ou le remplacement du, PRODUIT LOGICIEL qui n'est pas conforme à la présente Garantie Limitée et qui est retourné à Microsoft avec une copie de votre reçu. Le recours choisi par Microsoft vous est accordé sans frais, sous réserve de toute dépense que vous pourriez encourir (par exemple les coûts de livraison du PRODUIT LOGICIEL à Microsoft). Cette garantie limitée est nulle si la défectuosité du PRODUIT LOGICIEL résulte d'un accident, d'un abus d'utilisation, d'un usage non approprié ou anormal ou d'un virus. Tout PRODUIT LOGICIEL de remplacement sera garanti pour le reste de la périodede garantie initiale ou pendant trente (30) jours, selon la période la plus longue. À l'extérieur des États-Unis et du Canada, aucun recours ou service d'assistance de produit offert par Microsoft n'est disponible sans une preuve d'achat provenant d'une source internationale autorisée. Pour exercer votre recours, veuillez communiquer avec: Microsoft, attn. Microsoft Sales Information Center, à l'adresse indiquée plus bas. RENONCIATION AUX GARANTIES La Garantie Limitée ci-dessus est la seule garantie expresse qui vous est accordée et remplace toute autre garantie expresse (selon le cas) apparaissant dans toute documentation ou emballage. Sauf pour la Garantie Limitée et dans toute la mesure permise par la législation en vigueur, Microsoft et ses fournisseurs fournissent le PRODUIT LOGICIEL et les Services d'assistance (selon le cas) TELS QUELS ET AVEC TOUS SES DÉFAUTS, et par les présentes excluent toute autre garantie et condition, expresse ou implicite, légale ou conventionnelle, écrite ou verbale, y compris, mais sans limitation, toute (selon le cas) garantie et condition implicite ou légale de qualité marchande, de conformité à un usage particulier, d'absence de virus, d'exactitude et d'intégralité des réponses, de résultats, d'efforts techniques et professionnels et d'absence de négligence, le tout relativement au PRODUIT LOGICIEL et à la prestation ou à la non prestation des Services d'assistance. DE PLUS, IL N'Y A AUCUNE GARANTIE ET CONDITION DE TITRE, DE JOUISSANCE PAISIBLE, DE POSSESSION PAISIBLE, DE SIMILARITÉ À LA DESCRIPTION ET D'ABSENCE DE CONTREFAÇON RELATIVEMENT AU PRODUIT LOGICIEL. PAS DE RESPONSABILITÉ POUR LES DOMMAGES INDIRECTS, ACCESSOIRES ET AUTRES. Dans toute la mesure permise par la législation en vigueur, Microsoft et ses fournisseurs ne sont en aucun cas responsables de tout dommage spécial, indirect, accessoire, moral ou exemplaire quel qu'il soit (y compris, mais sans limitation, les dommages entraînés par la perte de bénéfices ou la perte d'information confidentielle ou autre, l'interruption des affaires, les préjudices corporels, la perte de confidentialité, le défaut de remplir toute obligation y compris les obligations de bonne foi et de diligence raisonnable, la négligence, et toute autre perte pécuniaire ou autre perte de quelque nature que ce soit) découlant de, ou de toute autre manière lié à, l'utilisation ou l'impossibilité d'utiliser le PRODUIT LOGICIEL, la prestation ou la non-prestation des Services d'assistance, ou autrement en vertu de ou relativement à toute disposition de cette convention, même en cas de faute, délit ou quasi-délit (y compris la négligence), reponsabilité stricte, manquement au contrat ou à une garantie de la part de Microsoft ou de tout fournisseur, même si Microsoft et ses fournisseurs ont été avisés de la possibilité de tels dommages. LIMITATION DE RESPONSABILITÉ ET RECOURS Malgré tout dommage que vous pourriez encourir pour quelque raison que ce soit (y compris, sans limitation, tous les dommages mentionnés ci-dessus et tous les dommages directs et généraux), la seule responsabilité de Microsoft et de ses fournisseurs en vertu de toute disposition de cette convention et votre unique recours en regard de tout ce qui précède (sauf dans le cas où Microsoft choisit de réparer ou de remplacer conformément aux termes de la Garantie Limitée) sont limités au plus élevé des montants suivants: soit (a) le montant que vous avez payé pour cette licence, soit (B) un montant équivalent à cinq dollars U.S. (5.00 $U.S.). Les limitations et exclusions ci-dessus (y compris le présent paragraphe et les deux paragraphes précédents) s'appliquent dans toute la mesure permise par la législation en vigueur, et ce même si leur application a pour effet de priver un recours de son essence. LÉGISLATION APPLICABLE Si vous avez acquis ce PRODUIT LOGICIEL au Canada, sauf lorsqu'expressément prohibé par la loi locale, cette convention est régie par les lois en vigueur dans la province d'Ontario, Canada. Pour tout différend qui pourrait découler des présentes, vous reconnaissez la compétence des tribunaux fédéraux et provinciaux siégeant à Toronto, Ontario. Si vous avez des questions concernant cette licence, ou si vous désirez communiquer avec Microsoft pour quelque raison que ce soit, veuillez contacter la succursale Microsoft desservant votre pays, ou écrire à : Microsoft Sales Information Center - One Microsoft Way - Redmond, WA 98052-6399. 0495 Part No. 64358 As I see it, unless you violate ANY other applicable law while procuring it, where the actual software comes from is not a problem, as long as you have a Certificate of Authenticity or the "sticker" on your machine. Besides the theoretical validity of (lack of it) of the EULA, one needs to think about the practical parts: 1) windows CD's are not numbered, nor "traceable" to an individual 2) not Microsoft, nor any OEM have a record of names of people to whom the software has been sold to 3) the sticker applied on the physical body of the PC is proof enough of the genuinity of the software license accompanying it, though that key number may activate ANY number of specific CD's (if OEM) or generic ones (if Retail) 4) the accidental loss or destruction of the CD, or however the temporary or permanent inability to produce the original media is not grounds enough to void your rights, as the making of a backup copy is allowed by the License 5) there is no possible way to determine whether this backup copy was made from the original media shipped with the EULA or from any of the millions of similar ones This said, I personally: 1) have NEVER in my life bought a PC which did not came with an original, OEM or Retail, install media, and every time I was offered a computer with pre-installed or "recovery only CD/DVD" I declined the offer, and wrote to the local and national representative of the firm to complain about this in my view unfair practice, even obtaining in one case, the offer of a "real" install CD free of charge 2) have ALWAYS made first thing a backup copy of the install CD, storing the original one together with it's Certificate of Authenticity and invoice in a presumably safe place, always using the backup copy for re-installs 3) always photocopied the back of laptops (with the sticker - that normally becomes unreadable after a few months of field use) together with the front page of the local newspaper and the invoice, storing this copy together with original media and CoA 4) always transferred, in writing, the above items to the buyer when selling away old PC's, even when I donated a few to the local charity (better be safe than sorry) jaclaz

Sure. Good comments? Maybe. My personal take on the matter, not necessarily legally sound and definitely NOT in every country. The Microsoft (as most software Licenses) EULA's is a contract where: 1) You pay an amount of money to be authorized to USE a software within a number of "set rules" 2) The Vendor grants you this right in exchange for money Besides the fact that in my personal opinion, at least in Italy and possibly in all EU, this contract is hardly enforceable as it is NOT signed by the two parts, thus being potentially void of all effects, often it is worded in such a way that, expecially for consumer market, it violates basic rights of information, as a recent sentence has stated regarding OEM XP: http://www.msfn.org/board/Not-sure-why-thi...ng-t115968.html the actual media containing the software may or may not be part of the deal, see the old U.S. class action against HP: http://www.911cd.net/forums//index.php?showtopic=16343 http://web.archive.org/web/*/http://www.co...settlement.com/ The "standard" Win98SE Eula: MICROSOFT WINDOWS 98 SECOND EDITION END-USER LICENSE AGREEMENT FOR MICROSOFT SOFTWARE IMPORTANT-READ CAREFULLY: This Microsoft End-User License Agreement ("EULA") is a legal agreement between you (either an individual or a single entity) and Microsoft Corporation for the Microsoft software product identified above, which includes computer software and may include associated media, printed materials, and "online" or electronic documentation ("SOFTWARE PRODUCT"). The SOFTWARE PRODUCT also includes any updates and supplements to the original SOFTWARE PRODUCT provided to you by Microsoft. Any software provided along with the SOFTWARE PRODUCT that is associated with a separate end-user license agreement is licensed to you under the terms of that license agreement. By installing, copying, downloading, accessing or otherwise using the SOFTWARE PRODUCT, you agree to be bound by the terms of this EULA. If you do not agree to the terms of this EULA, do not install or use the SOFTWARE PRODUCT; you may, however, return it to your place of purchase for a full refund. SOFTWARE PRODUCT LICENSE The SOFTWARE PRODUCT is protected by copyright laws and international copyright treaties, as well as other intellectual property laws and treaties. The SOFTWARE PRODUCT is licensed, not sold. 1. GRANT OF LICENSE. This EULA grants you the following rights: Systems Software. You may install and use one copy of the SOFTWARE PRODUCT on a single computer, including a workstation, terminal or other digital electronic device ("COMPUTER"). You may permit a maximum of five (5) COMPUTERS to connect to the single COMPUTER running the SOFTWARE PRODUCT solely to access the Internet using the Internet Connection Sharing feature of the SOFTWARE PRODUCT. You may not allow these connected COMPUTERS to use any other components of the SOFTWARE PRODUCT, nor to invoke application sharing as described below. The five (5) connection maximum includes any indirect connections made through software or hardware which pools or aggregates connections. Storage/Network Use. You may also store or install a copy of the SOFTWARE PRODUCT on a storage device, such as a network server, used only to install or run the SOFTWARE PRODUCT on your other COMPUTERS over an internal network; however, you must acquire and dedicate a license for each separate COMPUTER on or from which the SOFTWARE PRODUCT is installed, used, accessed, displayed or run. A license for the SOFTWARE PRODUCT may not be shared or used concurrently on different COMPUTERS. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any number of COMPUTERS may access or otherwise utilize the file and print services and peer web services of the SOFTWARE PRODUCT. In addition, you may use the "Multiple Display" feature of the SOFTWARE PRODUCT to expand your desktop as described in the on-line Help file, without obtaining a license for each display. License Pak. If this package is a Microsoft License Pak, you may install and use additional copies of the computer software portion of the SOFTWARE PRODUCT up to the number of copies specified above as "Licensed Copies". 2. DESCRIPTION OF OTHER RIGHTS AND LIMITATIONS Academic Edition Software. If the SOFTWARE PRODUCT is identified as "Academic Edition" or "AE," you must be a "Qualified Educational User" to use the SOFTWARE PRODUCT. If you are not a Qualified Education User, you have no rights under this EULA. To determine if you are a Qualified Educational User, please contact the Microsoft Sales Information Center/One Microsoft Way/Redmond, WA 98052-6399 or the Microsoft subsidiary serving your country. Not For Resale Software. If the SOFTWARE PRODUCT is labeled "Not For Resale" or "NFR," then, notwithstanding other sections of this EULA, your use of the SOFTWARE PRODUCT is limited to use for demonstration, test, or evaluation purposes and you may not resell, or otherwise transfer for value, the SOFTWARE PRODUCT. Limitations on Reverse Engineering, Decompilation, and Disassembly. You may not reverse engineer, decompile, or disassemble the SOFTWARE PRODUCT, except and only to the extent that such activity is expressly permitted by applicable law notwithstanding this limitation. Separation of Components. The SOFTWARE PRODUCT is licensed as a single product. Its component parts may not be separated for use on more than one computer. Rental. You may not rent, lease or lend the SOFTWARE PRODUCT. Trademarks. This EULA does not grant you any rights in connection with any trademarks or service marks of Microsoft. Application Sharing. The SOFTWARE PRODUCT may contain Microsoft NetMeeting, a product that enables applications to be shared between two or more computers, even if an application is installed on only one of the computers. You may use this technology with all Microsoft application products for multi-party conferences. For non-Microsoft applications, you should consult the accompanying license agreement or contact the licensor to determine whether application sharing is permitted by the licensor. Support Services. Microsoft may provide you with support services related to the SOFTWARE PRODUCT ("Support Services"). Use of Support Services is governed by the Microsoft polices and programs described in the user manual, in "on line" documentation and/or other Microsoft-provided materials. Any supplemental software code provided to you as part of the Support Services shall be considered part of the SOFTWARE PRODUCT and subject to the terms and conditions of this EULA. With respect to technical information you provide to Microsoft as part of the Support Services, Microsoft may use such information for its business purposes, including for product support and development. Microsoft will not utilize such technical information in a form that personally identifies you. Software Transfer. The initial user of the SOFTWARE PRODUCT may make a one-time permanent transfer of this EULA and SOFTWARE PRODUCT only directly to an end user. This transfer must include all of the SOFTWARE PRODUCT (including all component parts, the media and printed materials, any upgrades, this EULA, and, if applicable, the Certificate of Authenticity). Such transfer may not be by way of consignment or any other indirect transfer. The transferee of such one-time transfer must agree to comply with the terms of this EULA, including the obligation not to further transfer this EULA and SOFTWARE PRODUCT. Termination. Without prejudice to any other rights, Microsoft may terminate this EULA if you fail to comply with the terms and conditions of this EULA. In such event, you must destroy all copies of the SOFTWARE PRODUCT and all of its component parts. 3. UPGRADES. If the SOFTWARE PRODUCT is labeled as an upgrade, you must be properly licensed to use a product identified by Microsoft as being eligible for the upgrade in order to use the SOFTWARE PRODUCT. A SOFTWARE PRODUCT labeled as an upgrade replaces and/or supplements the product that formed the basis for your eligibility for the upgrade. You may use the resulting upgraded product only in accordance with the terms of this EULA. If the SOFTWARE PRODUCT is an upgrade of a component of a package of software programs that you licensed as a single product, the SOFTWARE PRODUCT may be used and transferred only as part of that single product package and may not be separated for use on more than one computer. 4. COPYRIGHT. All title and intellectual property rights in and to the SOFTWARE PRODUCT (including but not limited to any images, photographs, animations, video, audio, music, text, and "applets" incorporated into the SOFTWARE PRODUCT), the accompanying printed materials, and any copies of the SOFTWARE PRODUCT are owned by Microsoft or its suppliers. All title and intellectual property rights in and to the content which may be accessed through use of the SOFTWARE PRODUCT is the property of the respective content owner and may be protected by applicable copyright or other intellectual property laws and treaties. This EULA grants you no rights to use such content. All rights not expressly granted are reserved by Microsoft. 5. DUAL-MEDIA SOFTWARE. You may receive the SOFTWARE PRODUCT in more than one medium. Regardless of the type or size of medium you receive, you may use only one medium that is appropriate for your single computer. You may not use or install the other medium on another computer. You may not loan, rent, lease, lend or otherwise transfer the other medium to another user, except as part of the permanent transfer (as provided above) of the SOFTWARE PRODUCT. 6. BACKUP COPY. After installation of one copy of the SOFTWARE PRODUCT pursuant to this EULA, you may keep the original media on which the SOFTWARE PRODUCT was provided by Microsoft solely for backup or archival purposes. If the original media is required to use the SOFTWARE PRODUCT on the COMPUTER, you may make one copy of the SOFTWARE PRODUCT solely for backup or archival purposes. Except as expressly provided in this EULA, you may not otherwise make copies of the SOFTWARE PRODUCT or the printed materials accompanying the SOFTWARE PRODUCT. 7. U.S. GOVERNMENT RESTRICTED RIGHTS. All SOFTWARE PRODUCT provided to the U.S. Government pursuant to solicitations issued on or after December 1, 1995 is provided with the commercial license rights and restrictions described elsewhere herein. All SOFTWARE PRODUCT provided to the U. S. Government pursuant to soliciations issued prior to December 1, 1995 is provided with "Restricted Rights" as provided for in FAR, 48 CFR 52.227-14 (JUNE 1987) or DFAR, 48 CFR 252.227-7013 (OCT 1988), as applicable. 8. EXPORT RESTRICTIONS. You agree that you will not export or re-export the SOFTWARE PRODUCT, any part thereof, or any process or service that is the direct product of the SOFTWARE PRODUCT (the foregoing collectively referred to as the "Restricted Components"), to any country, person or entity subject to U.S. export restrictions. You specifically agree not to export or re-export any of the Restricted Components: (i) to any country to which the U.S. has embargoed or restricted the export of goods or services, which currently include, but are not necessarily limited to Cuba, Iran, Iraq, Libya, North Korea, Sudan and Syria, or to any national of any such country, wherever located, who intends to transmit or transport the Restricted Components back to such country; (ii) to any person or entity who you know or have reason to know will utilize the Restricted Components in the design, development or production of nuclear, chemical or biological weapons; or (iii) to any person or entity who has been prohibited from participating in U.S. export transactions by any federal agency of the U.S. government. You warrant and represent that neither the BXA nor any other U.S. federal agency has suspended, revoked or denied your export privileges. 9. NOTE ON JAVA SUPPORT. THE SOFTWARE PRODUCT MAY CONTAIN SUPPORT FOR PROGRAMS WRITTEN IN JAVA. JAVA TECHNOLOGY IS NOT FAULT TOLERANT AND IS NOT DESIGNED, MANUFACTURED, OR INTENDED FOR USE OR RESALE AS ON-LINE CONTROL EQUIPMENT IN HAZARDOUS ENVIRONMENTS REQUIRING FAIL-SAFE PERFORMANCE, SUCH AS IN THE OPERATION OF NUCLEAR FACILITIES, AIRCRAFT NAVIGATION OR COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS, AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL, DIRECT LIFE SUPPORT MACHINES, OR WEAPONS SYSTEMS, IN WHICH THE FAILURE OF JAVA TECHNOLOGY COULD LEAD DIRECTLY TO DEATH, PERSONAL INJURY, OR SEVERE PHYSICAL OR ENVIRONMENTAL DAMAGE. Sun Microsystems, Inc. has contractually obligated Microsoft to make this disclaimer. MISCELLANEOUS If you acquired this product in the United States, this EULA is governed by the laws of the State of Washington. If you acquired this product in Canada, this EULA is governed by the laws of the Province of Ontario, Canada. Each of the parties hereto irrevocably attorns to the jurisdiction of the courts of the Province of Ontario and further agrees to commence any litigation which may arise here under in the courts located in the Judicial District of York, Province of Ontario. If this product was acquired outside the United States, then local law may apply. Should you have any questions concerning this EULA, or if you desire to contact Microsoft for any reason, please contact Microsoft, or write: Microsoft Sales Information Center/One Microsoft Way/Redmond, WA 98052-6399. LIMITED WARRANTY Microsoft warrants that the SOFTWARE PRODUCT will perform substantially in accordance with the accompanying written materials for a period of ninety (90) days from the date of receipt. If an implied warranty or condition is created by your state/jurisdiction and federal or state/provincial law prohibits disclaimer of it, you also have an implied warranty or condition,BUT ONLY AS TO DEFECTS DISCOVERED DURING THE PERIOD OF THIS LIMITED WARRANTY (NINETY (90) DAYS). AS TO ANY DEFECTS DISCOVERED AFTER THE NINETY (90) DAY PERIOD, THERE IS NO WARRANTY OR CONDITION OF ANY KIND. Some states/jurisdictions do not allow limitations on duration of an implied warranty, so the above limitation may not apply to you. Any supplements or updates to the SOFTWARE PRODUCT, including without limitation, any (if any) service pack or hot fixes provided to you after the expiration of the ninety (90) day Limited Warranty period are not covered by any warranty or condition, express or implied. LIMITATION ON REMEDIES; NO CONSEQUENTIAL OR OTHER DAMAGES Your exclusive remedy for any breach of this Limited Warranty is as set forth below. Except for any refund elected by Microsoft, YOU ARE NOT ENTITLED TO ANY DAMAGES, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, if the SOFTWARE PRODUCT does not meet Microsoft's Limited Warranty, and, to the maximum extent allowed by applicable law, even if any remedy fails of its essential purpose. The terms "Exclusion of Incidental, Consequential and Certain Other Damages" below are also incorporated into this Limited Warranty. Some states/jurisdictions do not allow the exclusion or limitation of incidental or consequential damages, so the above limitation or exclusion may not apply to you. This Limited Warranty gives you specific legal rights. You may have others which vary from state/jurisdiction to state/jurisdiction. YOUR EXCLUSIVE REMEDY Microsoft's and its suppliers' entire liability and your exclusive remedy shall be, at Microsoft's option from time to time, (a) return of the price paid (if any) for, or (B) repair or replacement of, the SOFTWARE PRODUCT that does not meet this Limited Warranty and that is returned to Microsoft with a copy of your receipt. You will receive the remedy elected by Microsoft without charge, except that you are responsible for any expenses you may incur (e.g. cost of shipping the SOFTWARE PRODUCT to Microsoft). This Limited Warranty is void if failure of the SOFTWARE PRODUCT has resulted from accident, abuse, misapplication, abnormal use or a virus. Any replacement SOFTWARE PRODUCT will be warranted for the remainder of the original warranty period or thirty (30) days, whichever is longer. Outside the United States or Canada, neither these remedies nor any product support services offered by Microsoft are available without proof of purchase from an authorized international source. To exercise your remedy, contact: Microsoft, Attn. Microsoft Sales Information Center at the address specified above. DISCLAIMER OF WARRANTIES The limited warranty that appears above is the only express warranty made to you and is provided in lieu of any other express warranties (if any) created by any documentation or packaging. Except for the limited warranty and to the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, Microsoft and its suppliers provide the SOFTWARE PRODUCT and Support Services (if any) AS IS AND WITH ALL FAULTS, and hereby disclaim all other warranties andconditions, either express, implied or statutory, including, but not limited to, any (if any) implied warranties or conditions of merchantability, of fitness for a particular purpose, of lack of viruses, of accuracy or completeness of responses, of results, and of lack of negligence or lack of workmanlike effort, all with regard to the SOFTWARE PRODUCT, and the provision of or failure to provide Support Services. ALSO, THERE IS NO WARRANTY OR CONDITION OF TITLE, QUIET ENJOYMENT, QUIET POSSESSION, CORRESPONDENCE TO DESCRIPTION OR NON-INFRINGEMENT WITH REGARD TO THE SOFTWARE PRODUCT. EXCLUSION OF INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL AND CERTAIN OTHER DAMAGES To the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, in no event shall Microsoft or its suppliers be liable for any special, incidental, indirect, or consequential damages whatsoever (including, but not limited to, damages for loss of profits or confidential or other information, for business interruption, for personal injury, for loss of privacy, for failure to meet any duty including of good faith or of reasonable care, for negligence, and for any other pecuniary or other loss whatsoever) arising out of or in any way related to the use of or inability to use the SOFTWARE PRODUCT, the provision of or failure to provide Support Services, or otherwise under or in connection with any provision of this EULA, even in the event of the fault, tort (including negligence), strict liability, breach of contract or breach of warranty of Microsoft or any supplier, and even if microsoft or any supplier has been advised of the possibility of such damages. LIMITATION OF LIABILITY AND REMEDIES Notwithstanding any damages that you might incur for any reason whatsoever (including, without limitation, all damages referenced above and all direct or general damages), the entire liability of Microsoft and any of its suppliers under any provision of this EULA and your exclusive remedy for all of the foregoing (except for any remedy of repair or replacement elected by Microsoft with respect to any breach of the Limited Warranty) shall be limited to the greater of the amount actually paid by you for the SOFTWARE PRODUCT or U.S.$5.00. The foregoing limitations, exclusions and disclaimers described above shall apply to the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, even if any remedy fails its essential purpose. Si vous avez acquis votre produit Microsoft au CANADA, la garantie limitée suivante vous concerne: Microsoft garantit que la performance du PRODUIT LOGICIEL sera substantiellement en conformité avec la documentation écrite qui accompagne le PRODUIT LOGICIEL, pour une période de quatre-vingt-dix (90) jours à compter de la date de réception. Si une garantie ou condition implicite ou légale existe en vertu de la loi de votre état ou juridiction et qu'une loi fédérale ou provinciale prohibe toute exclusion ou renonciation à une telle garantie ou condition, vous avez également une garantie ou condition implicite ou légale, MAIS SEULEMENT EN CE QUI CONCERNE LES DÉFAUTS DÉCOUVERTS PENDANT LA DURÉE DE CETTE GARANTIE LIMITÉE (QUATRE-VINGT-DIX (90) JOURS). EN CE QUI CONCERNE LES DÉFAUTS DÉCOUVERTS APRÈS LA DURÉE DE QUATRE-VINGT-DIX (90) JOURS, IL N'EXISTE AUCUNE GARANTIE OU CONDITION DE QUELQUE NATURE QUE CE SOIT. Puisque certains états ou juridictions ne permettent pas la limitation de la durée des garanties ou conditions légales ou implicites, il est possible que la limitation ci-dessus ne vous concerne pas. Tout supplément ou mise à jour du PRODUIT LOGICIEL, y compris sans limitation, tout (s'il y a lieu) ensemble de modifications provisoires (``Service Pack`` ou ``hot fixes``) qui vous est fourni après l'expiration de la période de quatre-vingt-dix (90) jours de cette garantie limitée ne sont couverts par aucune garantie ou condition, expresse ou implicite, légale ou conventionnelle, écrite ou verbale. LIMITATION DES RECOURS; ABSENCE DE DOMMAGES INDIRECTS ET AUTRES Votre unique recours pour tout manquement à la présente Garantie Limitée est tel que décrit ci-dessous. À l'exception de tout remboursement à la discrétion de Microsoft, VOUS N'AVEZ DROIT À AUCUN DOMMAGE, Y COMPRIS, MAIS SANS LIMITATION, LES DOMMAGES INDIRECTS, ACCESSOIRES, MORAUX OU EXEMPLAIRES, si le PRODUIT LOGICIEL n'est pas conforme à la Garantie Limitée de Microsoft et ce, dans toute la mesure permise par la législation en vigueur, et même si un recours est privé de son essence. Les termes du paragraphe ci-dessous intitulé ``Absence de dommages accessoires, indirects et autres`` font également partie intégrante de la présente Garantie Limitée. Puisque certains états ou juridictions ne permettent pas l'exclusion ou la limitation des dommages accessoires et indirects, il est possible que la limitation ou exclusion ci-dessus ne vous concerne pas. Cette Garantie Limitée vous accorde des droits juridiques spécifiques. Il est possible que vous en ayez d'autres variant d'un état ou d'une juridiction à l'autre. VOTRE SEUL RECOURS La seule responsabilité de Microsoft et de ses fournisseurs et votre unique recours sont, au choix de Microsoft, de temps à autre, (a) le remboursement du prix payé (selon le cas) pour, ou (B) la réparation ou le remplacement du, PRODUIT LOGICIEL qui n'est pas conforme à la présente Garantie Limitée et qui est retourné à Microsoft avec une copie de votre reçu. Le recours choisi par Microsoft vous est accordé sans frais, sous réserve de toute dépense que vous pourriez encourir (par exemple les coûts de livraison du PRODUIT LOGICIEL à Microsoft). Cette garantie limitée est nulle si la défectuosité du PRODUIT LOGICIEL résulte d'un accident, d'un abus d'utilisation, d'un usage non approprié ou anormal ou d'un virus. Tout PRODUIT LOGICIEL de remplacement sera garanti pour le reste de la périodede garantie initiale ou pendant trente (30) jours, selon la période la plus longue. À l'extérieur des États-Unis et du Canada, aucun recours ou service d'assistance de produit offert par Microsoft n'est disponible sans une preuve d'achat provenant d'une source internationale autorisée. Pour exercer votre recours, veuillez communiquer avec: Microsoft, attn. Microsoft Sales Information Center, à l'adresse indiquée plus bas. RENONCIATION AUX GARANTIES La Garantie Limitée ci-dessus est la seule garantie expresse qui vous est accordée et remplace toute autre garantie expresse (selon le cas) apparaissant dans toute documentation ou emballage. Sauf pour la Garantie Limitée et dans toute la mesure permise par la législation en vigueur, Microsoft et ses fournisseurs fournissent le PRODUIT LOGICIEL et les Services d'assistance (selon le cas) TELS QUELS ET AVEC TOUS SES DÉFAUTS, et par les présentes excluent toute autre garantie et condition, expresse ou implicite, légale ou conventionnelle, écrite ou verbale, y compris, mais sans limitation, toute (selon le cas) garantie et condition implicite ou légale de qualité marchande, de conformité à un usage particulier, d'absence de virus, d'exactitude et d'intégralité des réponses, de résultats, d'efforts techniques et professionnels et d'absence de négligence, le tout relativement au PRODUIT LOGICIEL et à la prestation ou à la non prestation des Services d'assistance. DE PLUS, IL N'Y A AUCUNE GARANTIE ET CONDITION DE TITRE, DE JOUISSANCE PAISIBLE, DE POSSESSION PAISIBLE, DE SIMILARITÉ À LA DESCRIPTION ET D'ABSENCE DE CONTREFAÇON RELATIVEMENT AU PRODUIT LOGICIEL. PAS DE RESPONSABILITÉ POUR LES DOMMAGES INDIRECTS, ACCESSOIRES ET AUTRES. Dans toute la mesure permise par la législation en vigueur, Microsoft et ses fournisseurs ne sont en aucun cas responsables de tout dommage spécial, indirect, accessoire, moral ou exemplaire quel qu'il soit (y compris, mais sans limitation, les dommages entraînés par la perte de bénéfices ou la perte d'information confidentielle ou autre, l'interruption des affaires, les préjudices corporels, la perte de confidentialité, le défaut de remplir toute obligation y compris les obligations de bonne foi et de diligence raisonnable, la négligence, et toute autre perte pécuniaire ou autre perte de quelque nature que ce soit) découlant de, ou de toute autre manière lié à, l'utilisation ou l'impossibilité d'utiliser le PRODUIT LOGICIEL, la prestation ou la non-prestation des Services d'assistance, ou autrement en vertu de ou relativement à toute disposition de cette convention, même en cas de faute, délit ou quasi-délit (y compris la négligence), reponsabilité stricte, manquement au contrat ou à une garantie de la part de Microsoft ou de tout fournisseur, même si Microsoft et ses fournisseurs ont été avisés de la possibilité de tels dommages. LIMITATION DE RESPONSABILITÉ ET RECOURS Malgré tout dommage que vous pourriez encourir pour quelque raison que ce soit (y compris, sans limitation, tous les dommages mentionnés ci-dessus et tous les dommages directs et généraux), la seule responsabilité de Microsoft et de ses fournisseurs en vertu de toute disposition de cette convention et votre unique recours en regard de tout ce qui précède (sauf dans le cas où Microsoft choisit de réparer ou de remplacer conformément aux termes de la Garantie Limitée) sont limités au plus élevé des montants suivants: soit (a) le montant que vous avez payé pour cette licence, soit (B) un montant équivalent à cinq dollars U.S. (5.00 $U.S.). Les limitations et exclusions ci-dessus (y compris le présent paragraphe et les deux paragraphes précédents) s'appliquent dans toute la mesure permise par la législation en vigueur, et ce même si leur application a pour effet de priver un recours de son essence. LÉGISLATION APPLICABLE Si vous avez acquis ce PRODUIT LOGICIEL au Canada, sauf lorsqu'expressément prohibé par la loi locale, cette convention est régie par les lois en vigueur dans la province d'Ontario, Canada. Pour tout différend qui pourrait découler des présentes, vous reconnaissez la compétence des tribunaux fédéraux et provinciaux siégeant à Toronto, Ontario. Si vous avez des questions concernant cette licence, ou si vous désirez communiquer avec Microsoft pour quelque raison que ce soit, veuillez contacter la succursale Microsoft desservant votre pays, ou écrire à : Microsoft Sales Information Center - One Microsoft Way - Redmond, WA 98052-6399. 0495 Part No. 64358 As I see it, unless you violate ANY other applicable law while procuring it, where the actual software comes from is not a problem, as long as you have a Certificate of Authenticity or the "sticker" on your machine. Besides the theoretical validity of (lack of it) of the EULA, one needs to think about the practical parts: 1) windows CD's are not numbered, nor "traceable" to an individual 2) not Microsoft, nor any OEM have a record of names of people to whom the software has been sold to 3) the sticker applied on the physical body of the PC is proof enough of the genuinity of the software license accompanying it, though that key number may activate ANY number of specific CD's (if OEM) or generic ones (if Retail) 4) the accidental loss or destruction of the CD, or however the temporary or permanent inability to produce the original media is not grounds enough to void your rights, as the making of a backup copy is allowed by the License 5) there is no possible way to determine whether this backup copy was made from the original media shipped with the EULA or from any of the millions of similar ones This said, I personally: 1) have NEVER in my life bought a PC which did not came with an original, OEM or Retail, install media, and every time I was offered a computer with pre-installed or "recovery only CD/DVD" I declined the offer, and wrote to the local and national representative of the firm to complain about this in my view unfair practice, even obtaining in one case, the offer of a "real" install CD free of charge 2) have ALWAYS made first thing a backup copy of the install CD, storing the original one together with it's Certificate of Authenticity and invoice in a presumably safe place, always using the backup copy for re-installs 3) always photocopied the back of laptops (with the sticker - that normally becomes unreadable after a few months of field use) together with the front page of the local newspaper and the invoice, storing this copy together with original media and CoA 4) always transferred, in writing, the above items to the buyer when selling away old PC's, even when I donated a few to the local charity (better be safe than sorry) jaclaz

Sure it does , did you actually doubt it? Now, let's get rid of the temp file (2K/XP/2003 and possibly Vista, NOT 9x/Me: @ECHO OFF FOR /F "tokens=1,* delims= " %%A in ('Wfolder CD %SYSTEMDRIVE% "Change Directory"') do %%A>nul&cd %%B>nul The board parses long lines strangely, the above is just TWO lines, first one is: @ECHO OFF and all the rest is the second one. jaclaz

Well, if you do not call temp.bat it would be tough for it to work. Try this: Wfolder CD %SYSTEMDRIVE% "Change Directory" > temp.bat call temp.bat jaclaz

If I may, there might have been a communication problem, maybe I can sum up what happened as I seem to understand it: 1) emailaya attempted to use nlite to integrate SP3 on an already nlited SP2 source 2) the above is something that CANNOT be done with nlite 3) there is not in nlite a specific check for something that by design SHOULD NOT be done with it All the rest seems to me overreactions and bla-bla's. Suggestion for emailaya: Try to tone down your sarcasm a bit, or put it between pseudo-tags: [sarcasm] You're very welcome, I am sure all the board members, Admins and Mods, and expecially nuhi and Happy-Dude have appreciated your kind words, and they will surely remember you, should you further need help. Undoubtedly their gratitude from your behaviour in this instance will, if possible, increase their efforts in supporting you. [/sarcasm] Suggestion for nuhi : put a check for the existence of nlite.cm_ in <source> and make nlite display the following: and terminate the run. jaclaz

Actually NO. Booting a XP or a XP based PE from USB is a perfectly usable environment. The UBCD4WIN you mention, which is NOT a XP, but rather a XP based PE, has an utility to be tranferred to USB stick. On the other hand, the "USB_Multiboot" you can find here: http://www.msfn.org/board/Install-XP-from-USB-f157.html besides the ability to create a setup to install XP from USB, allows to add any number of PE builds to a USB stick or drive. If the question is aimed to a full XP on USB stick, the reference thread is this one: from which the links usasma gave derived from, but for a newbie and for those not wanting/needing to understand HOW it works, trying this: http://www.usboot.org/tiki-index.php is advised, it is a fully automated way that works allright in the vast majority of cases. jaclaz

Read here: http://www.robvanderwoude.com/ntfor.html "%0" is the parameter zero of a batch, i.e. the name of the batch. d=drive p=path n=name Please note that whilst %0 may or may not comprehend the file extension (depending on how it was called), %~dpn0 does NOT include the extension anyway (whilst %~dpnx0 does). jaclaz

You can use a third party app. For a simple "file asking", check wfile : http://home.mnet-online.de/horst.muc/w32dial.htm#wfile For a complete pseudo GUI I recommend Wizard's Apprentice: http://wizapp.sourceforge.net/ You can do fairly complex things with it in batxh, see this example: http://home.graffiti.net/jaclaz:graffiti.n...ts/VDM/vdm.html jaclaz

No, I won't , but I will support you in writing it . Start from something simple (forget for the moment about winrar/rar): @ECHO OFF SETLOCAL ENABLEEXTENSIONS for /R "C:\GamesX" %%A in (*.rar) do ECHO %%A (supposing that "GamesX" directory is in ROOT of C:\ and contains just a few files in various nested subdirectories - including some .rar archives containing some .avi files - a FAKE structure for easy and fast testing) What happens? Now, supposing that you have rar.exe in "C:\Program Files\Winrar\" try this: @ECHO OFF SETLOCAL ENABLEEXTENSIONS for /R "C:\GamesX" %%A in (*.rar) do ( ECHO %%A "C:\Program Files\Winrar\rar.exe" lb %%A ) What happens? Let's go one step further: @ECHO OFF SETLOCAL ENABLEEXTENSIONS for /R "C:\GamesX" %%A in (*.rar) do ( ECHO %%A "C:\Program Files\Winrar\rar.exe" lb %%A | FIND ".avi" ) What happens? jaclaz

I am not sure to have understood whther the required "recursiveness" that you need is in the drive directory structure or within the .RAR archives. For "external" recursiveness, you may want to READ some info on the FOR switches: http://www.robvanderwoude.com/for.html http://www.robvanderwoude.com/ntfor.html the /R one appears to be the one you are missing: If we are talking about files inside "sub-directories" within the archive, a more complex batch script is needed, using the command line version of Winrar, rar.exe, from WinRar help file (that you should have already READ ): (bolding is mine) an online version of rar.txt can be found here: http://ams.cern.ch/AMS/amsexch/arch/rar/rar.txt jaclaz

Just for the record, this one can be handy too: http://www.boot-land.net/forums/?showtopic=3806 http://rescup.wordpress.com/ jaclaz

Double check that between: [Computer] acpiapic_mp = "ACPI Multiprocessor PC",files.none acpiapic_up = "ACPI Uniprocessor PC",files.none acpipic_up = "Advanced Configuration and Power Interface (ACPI) PC",files.none syspro_mp = "Compaq SystemPro Multiprocessor or 100% Compatible",files.none mps_up = "MPS Uniprocessor PC",files.none mps_mp = "MPS Multiprocessor PC",files.none e_isa_up = "Standard PC",files.none 486c_up = "Standard PC with C-Step i486",files.noneand following: [Display] forcevga = "Standard VGA (640x480, 16 colors)",files.none vga = "Auto Detect",files.none sglfb = "Cobalt",files.sglfb there are NO spaces or some other unviewable character. Make sure you did not inadvertedly open it with a software and saved it in any "non-ANSI" mode. Also check that the characters around the "=" sign are actual spaces (hex 20) and not any other one, like TAB or similar. I seem to remember that you can remove any space around the "=" sign, like from: 486c_up = "Standard PC with C-Step i486",files.none to: 486c_up="Standard PC with C-Step i486",files.none If viewed in a hex editor, the only byte values you should have between the last "files.none" in the [Computer] section and [Display] should be one or more series of "0D 0A" (CR+LF or 13+10 dec). jaclaz

This would be better : 1) Copy Vista DVD to local hard disk 2) run vlite on the copy of the Vista DVD (source) 3) partition and format the USB drive properly 4) copy the output of vlite (reduced setup files) to USB drive 5) load OS setup files from USB drive The above is about installing a reduced (vlited) Vista from a USB device, and it can be automated partially following this: http://www.msfn.org/board/Install-XP-from-USB-f157.html or are you asking about installing a reduced (vlited) Vista to a USB device? if the latter is the case, check Dietmar's Tutorials: http://www.911cd.net/forums//index.php?sho...181&st=1707 http://www.911cd.net/forums//index.php?sho...181&st=1712 jaclaz

Just for the record, and to keep things as together as possible, there is a good tutorial, derived from Dietmar's work here: http://forums.ngine.de/viewforum.php?f=4 And an "automated" way here: http://www.usboot.org/tiki-index.php Of course the "amount" of the "any PC"'s that such an install will be able to boot to is proportional to the "amount" of drivers that will be included to the build. And there might be the need to switch HAL's through BOOT.INI. jaclaz

Good. On other Windows versions, STOP 0xc000000e is a symptom of a problem in accessing the data on a device (whilst 0x0000007b is related to be unable to access the device). When "normally" booting it is often due to a "bad" cable. When Pxe/Ramdisk booting it can be due to the use of the /rdexportascd parameter with a RAW partition image or by using /rdexportashd with a .ISO image, or by using the wrong /rdimageoffset= value with a RAW disk image. In other words, the SETUPLDR.BIN or NTLDR does not find a bootsector at the address it is looking for it. The "unusual" number of hidden sectors, or the "fractional end cylynder" may cause the same on particular BIOSes, that's why I suggested to partition and format the stick with the "proper" nx255x63 geometry, with a "non-fractional" end cylinder. Though the above is just an idea, as I have little or no experience of Vista booting, using a "proper" partitioning and formatting will make no harm and will exclude this guess from the possible cause. Some more info on the matter you can find in my everyday more outdated pages: http://home.graffiti.net/jaclaz:graffiti.n...B/USBstick.html http://home.graffiti.net/jaclaz:graffiti.n...SB/USBfaqs.html User ktp has reported here that he was able to workaround the problem using grub4dos: http://www.911cd.net/forums//index.php?showtopic=19439 as a bootloader, though it does not give the explanation you want, it may put you on the right track. About VistaCE, I am sure it is a good environment, only pointing out that it is a bit outdated when compared to VistaPE v.12, but you are right: jaclaz

No way without reboot. There are however programs that allow you to "pre-select" the system that will be booted at next boot. jaclaz P.S.: here is one: http://www.maddogsw.com/bootchooser/