General

[incynr8]

Now looking for XP pro for OEM for IBM systems, more machines with no media but valid licenses to fix. Stupid windows boxes.
Like before I have legal keys. I am not serial hunting.
AL

[Wycke]

All the IBMs I've worked on in the last few years (4-5, that is) have had a "restore" partition on them. Usually hitting F12 (or the "Access IBM" button if you have an OEM keyboard or it's a laptop) will get you into the "Rescue & Recovery" console. If that doesn't help, shoot me the exact model name/number and machine type (usually on the front of the case somewhere). We have sets of recovery disks for a few different desktop & laptop models and I could certainly burn you a set or create ISOs of them (if we have the one you need). Also, if we don't have what you need, the last time I dealt with IBM's support (which was well after the merge/change to Lenovo), they were very helpful and sent me a set of recovery disks for free (granted, the system was under warranty, so if the ones you're dealing with are not, you might not be so lucky).

-Chad

[incynr8]

old school t40s, r31, r32s, x31, t42. Totally smoked drives.

[Wycke]

I'm 95% sure we've got a set for the T41 (which will probably work on the T40 and T42) and I know I have a set for the X40 (which may or may not work for the X31). I'll try to dig them out this afternoon and burn a set of each, just PM me an address to ship 'em to.

-Chad

[incynr8]

Ok here's my logic.

Product exists. Called WINDOWS XP HOME (or PRO, either way)

person buys machine with one license for "XP".

WHY IS THERE MULTIPLE MEDIAS?
A license should entite a purchaser to take any copy of XP 'version type' and install.

Al

[Wycke]

Originally Posted by incynr8

Ok here's my logic.

Product exists. Called WINDOWS XP HOME (or PRO, either way)

person buys machine with one license for "XP".

WHY IS THERE MULTIPLE MEDIAS?
A license should entite a purchaser to take any copy of XP 'version type' and install.

Al

IBM hasn't provided a "Windows Only" install disk with any system since about '99. Since then, they have come with "restore disks", which install all of the OEM apps (including all the Thinkpad-specific stuff what 99% of the buyers never use). Actually, since probably '02 (maybe earlier), they haven't even come with those, they've had a "Restore partition" on the disk, which you can (and should) use to create a set of restore disks. They save, oh, about a quarter by not providing you with 5 physical disks.

Now, that being said, if you got an OEM Windows XP disk, it should install and accept the Product Key on the label on the machine. However, not every OEM version is the same. Why not? Ask the geniuses at M$'s VLU (Volume Licensing Unit).

As an example, our Univ. has what MS calls a "select" license for Windows XP Pro. We have a disk (which has been duplicated many, many times) which will only accept our specific volume-licensed product key. You cannot use our disk to re-install Windows onto, let's say a student's PC using the key that's on the label on their computer. It simply says it's an "invalid key".

[DarkStar]

A few reasons I can think of.

1) The OEM liscense is only good on that physical machine. They want to discourage you from installing it anywhere else.

2) If you don't get a copy of the install disc while you are within warrenty it provides them with an opportunity to sell you the disc at a later time.

3) Microsoft gives a bigger discount to OEM's that do not provide a full disc with their computers. MS wants only restore discs distributed if at all.

I'm sure there's more, they all boil down to screwing the consumer.

-MR

[incynr8]

and all of those practices should be illegal, and more of a sound case than the monopoly crap of a few years past.

If you BUY a machine with an ADVERTISED operating system... WITH A LICENSE, the software should be installable (although not concurrently as per license agreement) on ANY compatable machine.

the fact an OEM comes with WINDOWS XP PRO, but in a sense doesn't...Is pure ****.

I am aware of the crap mentioned above, IBM/lenovo is just restore parts now, my point is it's theft by deception to consumers.

[Wycke]

Originally Posted by incynr8

and all of those practices should be illegal, and more of a sound case than the monopoly crap of a few years past.

If you BUY a machine with an ADVERTISED operating system... WITH A LICENSE, the software should be installable (although not concurrently as per license agreement) on ANY compatable machine.

the fact an OEM comes with WINDOWS XP PRO, but in a sense doesn't...Is pure ****.

I am aware of the crap mentioned above, IBM/lenovo is just restore parts now, my point is it's theft by deception to consumers.

It's all the legalese they throw in there. Technically speaking, when you purchase a computer with windows XP on it, you are purchasing a license to run windows XP on that computer and only that computer. Logically, one might think, "well, I'll just install Linux on this computer and then use this XP disk to install it onto this other computer that I just built." That, technically speaking, is a violation of the license. The license which, incidentally, the user accepts (though nearly never reads) upon first starting up a new Windows computer. If more people read such licenses, they'd be quite surprised at the particulars of them - what they, the consumer is legally permitted or not permitted to do as well as what the vendor is permitted to do (based on the consent that you give by way of accepting the license). Yeah, it's deceptive. Yeah, it's immoral and unethical. But, unfortunately, it's perfectly legal.

[DarkNinja]

I can't remember the details but I read that some software was released a while back and burried in the EULA it said the first person to read this and send us an email will get $1000, it took a while before anyone claimed it.

I skim through most at this point, I look for words and phrases such as "eternal soul" "sexual favors" and anything to do with internal organs. You never know what someones going to put in there. If I ever create software I will put something in there about "by agreeing to this your soul becomes the property of DARKNINJA inc. and can be traded to the devil or anyone else for cool stuff while your soul burns in hell for an eternity" for fun, I would like to see peoples reactions.