"Phil" wrote in message
...
Mike,
Thanks - Dell used to sell PCs for $30 less than the same PC with OEM
Windows XP Home - not sure if they still do. Selling it for $30 is 1000%+
gain over marginal cost.
You use the word "fault" as if I am saying it is Microsoft's fault that my
son's PC was stolen. I am sure you don't mean that and I'm certainly not
claiming that. However, to find that the OS is the only piece of software
which I am not able to transfer is the fault of Microsoft and I have yet
to
see a good answer to why they would do that (in the case of a stolen PC).
Interestingly I have found that getting around the WPA is relatively easy
and even MS will provide support for OEM problems i.e. they are currently
helping me and perhaps they will allow the transfer this time. It seems
MS
are not as evil as their licence agreements appear. I have also been told
that non-OEM Vista has a one time transfer policy. Didn't Apple try
something like this with iTunes? Another lesson MS needs to learn from
Apple, I guess.
Thanks for the tip about Ubuntu - another poster suggested Linux as well.
However, the investment in both time and money in other Windows based apps
is
significant. MS is well aware that switching costs are incredibly high,
hence these anti-loyalty business practices - I am sure they will change
(not
because of anything I say or do). Bad business practices eventually
change
(or the business dies) - MS is no exception.
Phil
"Mike Hall - MVP" wrote:
Phil
I used the word 'essentially' for a reason. Were you to go out and buy a
barebones tower, and keyboard, mouse, monitor etc of the same quality as
say
HP, you would realize that the OS part of a computer deal is essentially
free.
The terms of OEM is that the computer manufacturer is WHOLLY responsible,
so
claim off of the manufacturer. They will ask for proof and you will find
it
difficult to get any that sticks.. I have no doubt that they will tell
you
you claim off of insurance.
It is unfortunate that your son does not have the funds to get a new
computer or software for your older computer, and that you don't have a
spare Vista machine kicking around, but they are not the fault or
responsibility of either Microsoft or the manufacturer.
Try upgrading the RAM in the Windows 98 machine to 256mb, and your son
will
be able to legally download Ubuntu which includes Open Office. he will
then
be able to continue his work..
--
Mike Hall - MVP
How to construct a good post..
http://dts-l.com/goodpost.htm
How to use the Microsoft Product Support Newsgroups..
http://support.microsoft.com/default...help&style=toc
Mike's Window - My Blog..
http://msmvps.com/blogs/mikehall/default.aspx
Dell may have sold them less $30, but it would cost way more than that to
buy a retail version.
Also, the retail version is as transferable as you want it to be. Not sure
who told you that it can only be transferred one time only.
An option, but there are risks and problems involved, is to download from a
torrent. The risks are that you could end up downloading infected files, and
the problems are that Dell and MDG BIOS will not recognize an OS CD that is
not their own. The legality may be in doubt too..
Microsoft let a lot through re activation. They are not the bad boys as some
like to portray, but they do have limits..
I have tried to explain to some of the Ubuntu protagonists here that Windows
users don't want alternatives, but for the severely 'cash strapped', Ubuntu
will at least get a computer into something approaching a productive state,
but it does require a minimum of 256mb RAM..
On your last point, it is not MS who determines what platform runs 3rd party
stuff. The software authors decide which platform to which they will port
their software. Authors of Windows based software can make a business out of
it because they can and do charge in many cases. Developers of open source
software do so on the back of some other arm of their business..
--
Mike Hall - MVP
How to construct a good post..
http://dts-l.com/goodpost.htm
How to use the Microsoft Product Support Newsgroups..
http://support.microsoft.com/default...help&style=toc
Mike's Window - My Blog..
http://msmvps.com/blogs/mikehall/default.aspx