Windows Product Aggravation
“I bought the upgrade to Windows XP. I installed it on my computer and on my husband's computer (keeping in mind that they are ours), and they are both in our home for our personal use. I have now been told my Microsoft that we cannot register the one on his computer because I have already registered it on mine, and that we need to buy ANOTHER one for his computer. Have I done something wrong? Can this possibly be true?” [Yeah, that's the way they're doing it from now on. One activated OS per machine. Reportedly, you can go through Microsoft and get a discounted license for your second machine, but I have yet to find the official page which provides the details. That's about all you CAN do. If you don't like the situation, don't use the operating system.]
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8 Comments
SocioBiblog
June 21st, 2007
at 12:57pm
When you ask me about my first computer, I require clarification. I’ve had many “first computers” in my life… Related Content:Computer Basics VideoWindows Product AggravationThe World Needs MagazinesPC Magazine? Not!Beat Addiction with AddictionNew Email Virus?Story Of My Life24-Hour Computer Supply StoreReally Hyper TextNewly Digital
Anonymous
March 11th, 2002
at 9:20pm
This is precisely why Microsoft felt they HAD to go to WPA. People don't realize that one license equals one machine, period. It's always been that way, and virtually every commercial software product on the market works the same way.
Windows XP isn't “yours” as many users seem to think. No, you don't own it. The only thing you have is the RIGHT to USE it according to Microsoft's rules. Again, this is nothing new. Software licensing has been done that way for decades now. I'm no more a fan of WPA than the next guy, but this large misconception and/or intentional abuse of licensing policies has led to its necessity.
So in other words, yes, you did do something wrong, and it is indeed true… always has been. Sorry to burst the bubble.
As for the discounted licenses, it's only a skimpy $10 on additional licenses. I haven't had any personal experience with that particular piece of the licensing picture though, so I can't say for sure how it works or where to get them.
Anonymous
March 11th, 2002
at 9:44pm
I can't tell if Chris is For or Against this, but I can see Furo is. I'm in total agreement. When we decided we liked XP, we ran out and bought licenses for all of our active workstations. We've been doing that since we've been in business.
I don't blame MS for taking the extreme route. You're right, people don't get it. I've known God fearing, church-going do-gooders who install their license of Windows on all their machines, friends' machines, etc., because they don't know any better.
Anonymous
March 11th, 2002
at 10:36pm
Just wait until this person has to learn about Exchange CALs for those who check their company mail at work and at home. :)
Anonymous
March 12th, 2002
at 6:13am
…for “additional licenses” see right side, bottom half of page:
http://shop.microsoft.com/Referral/productInfo.asp?siteID=10798
Anonymous
March 12th, 2002
at 12:11pm
Not exactly $10 is it? But hey, it is their SW, if the market will pay it (and they will…) they can charge what they want – welcome to capitalism.
There's always Linux and Staroffice…
I teach night school and I spend a good amount of time on software licensing and the like – I used to sell HW & SW, so I saw it all the time – rare it was that someone would buy 5 computers and 5 copies of office – usually 5 and 1.
Anonymous
March 13th, 2002
at 10:02pm
I agree with the poster on CALs (Client Access License(s)).
Wait until you have to figure out these licenses just to connect to Microsoft Servers(Like NT for File & Print, Exchange for Mail, SQL Server for Database Access, IIS for web.)
Anonymous
March 15th, 2002
at 11:12am
Anyone want to know why it's only $10 less than buying the actual product? Anyone know how much the CD and manuals cost…? ;)