I have tried everything!

[.s1]

lol this isnt a little mom and pop's shop , and i wasnt "burned". This is a company with a chain of locations (www.computerrenaissance.com) Obviously they have some kind of way to be able to install xp without the need to give the customer a copy. Im realy not sure how, but a large chain is doing it so something must be worked out... no?

[dman]

but a large chain is doing it so something must be worked out... no?

Like ENRON, maybe?

I am just doing math in my head. Not too good at math but...

$99 - cheapest price for XP imaginable = not worth anyones time to install

[draxx]

lol this isnt a little mom and pop's shop , and i wasnt "burned". This is a company with a chain of locations (www.computerrenaissance.com) Obviously they have some kind of way to be able to install xp without the need to give the customer a copy. Im realy not sure how, but a large chain is doing it so something must be worked out... no?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

NO!!! Under no circumstances can a shop clean install Windows XP on your PC, unless you provide them with a valid CD Key. Even then, if you provide them a pirate Corp key, they still cannot install it. They "may" have recovered your original CD key from your old PC????, but if so, have violated Microsoft "LAW" as that CD key belongs to your old PC and cannot be transferred.

To put it simply, you were ripped off. They have two options - give you the cd, or refund your money and format your hard drive

Just so you know - RRP for XP Home OEM is around $145 and for Pro OEM is around $240. You would not be able to purchase an OEM version without buy a hardware item such as memory, mainboard, HDD, CPU or VGA card. Therefore you would have to buy a Retail version, which would cost you alot more.

[tarquel]

@.s1:

(sorry for the size of the post everyone but it needs to be said again lol)

I can't say for US' pricing, but here is information taken directly from Microsoft's webpages and quoted as applicable - current as of this post:

Sale of a licensed OEM copy of Windows XP:

What is Non-peripheral Hardware?

A non-peripheral hardware component is one essential to running a PC

Examples of non-peripheral hardware:

Memory

Internal drives

Mice

Keyboards

Power supplies/cords

Examples of components not considered essential are:

Scanners

Printers

Cameras

External modems

Networking devices

What is included with a purchase of Windows XP with Non-peripheral Hardware?:

1 x certificate of authenticity (COA) label

1 x hologram CD media

1 x OEM manual for Windows XP Home / Professional

Information on motherboard replacing and licensing:

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. If the motherboard is replaced because it is defective, you do NOT need to acquire a new operating system license for the PC

Information regarding transfering of a OEM license (this would apply in most if not all cases of Microsoft OEM software, not just Windows remember):

After an OEM software license has been installed on a PC, the license may not be installed on or transferred to another PC. However, the entire PC may be transferred to another end user along with the software license rights. When transferring the PC to the new end user the software media, manuals (if applicable) and certificate of authenticity label must be included. It is also advisable to include the original purchase invoice or receipt. The original end user cannot keep any copies of the software.

The software is licensed with the computer system on which it was originally installed and is tied to that original machine. OEM licenses are single-use licenses that cannot be installed on more than one computer system even if the original machine is no longer in use.

By accepting the end user license agreement (EULA), before you use the software, it states that the license may not be shared, transferred to or used concurrently on different computers.

----

I hope that this ultimately clears this up - although it had pretty much been said by the previous posters, I just wanted to show that they are telling the truth by their posts and the company - unless they have a really really really unlikely and exclusive deal with microsoft (which I highly doubt) - is not following the EULA, and more importantly, the system builders agreement license.

It makes no difference whether they are a large company or not, and you should contact microsoft on the matter

[in looking at their site, i believe it is a franchise and as such, the other chains/stores would most likely not perform in the same way - ie they operate independantly in some ways, but have a united apparance...blah blah - you get the idea of what I'm saying ]

Aquiring pirated software itself is wrong (as we all know) but selling and making money out of it is so SO worse and should definately not be allowed or tolerated. I know I would never sell anything that wasn't legal.

I (honestly) don't work for Microsoft but its only fair to them and so suming-up, I leave you with a final quote:

There are three ways to report piracy.

• Method 1: Email piracy@microsoft.com

• Method 2: Call the Microsoft® Anti-Piracy Hotline at (800) RU-LEGIT.

• Method 3: Go to the following web page to fill out an online reporting form: http://www.microsoft.com/piracy/Reporting.mspx

Regards,

Nath.

P.S. PM me if you think there's something I should add to it? I'm surprised there isn't a sticky regarding all this..... or is there?