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slackersonly

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Apr 13, 2006
525
0
I followed a link in one thread in this area to get to a slipstreaming article to 'update' a SP1 disc to SP2. The page seems to say that you cannot use an Windows XP disc from Dell/HP/etc.

However, I have seen a couple people here briefly mentioning that they did use a Dell disc (which is what I also have). Can anyone who has used the slipstream function to update a Dell Windows XP SP1 disc to SP2 and then used it to install Boot Camp comment on their success/problems. Thanks a bunch in advance.
 

balamw

Moderator emeritus
Aug 16, 2005
19,365
979
New England
ReanimationLP said:
Illegal.

The dell disc is licensed to that dell, and that Dell only.
That is overstating it a bit, but yes it is a violation of the EULA that applies to most XP licenses that ship with a Dell or similar OEM built box. Read the EULA to be sure that it applies to yours.

You might be able to get it to work, but don't expect any support from us here.

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slackersonly

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Apr 13, 2006
525
0
Really? Wow. I did not know that. So I dont own a windows license, I own a dell license tied to that machine only? If the Dell dies, then the preinstalled software license(s) are dead with it?
 

balamw

Moderator emeritus
Aug 16, 2005
19,365
979
New England
slackersonly said:
Really? Wow. I did not know that. So I dont own a windows license, I own a dell license tied to that machine only? If the Dell dies, then the preinstalled software license(s) are dead with it?
Most likely, but don't take our word for it. Read the EULA for the preinstalled software.

In general when you buy preinstalled OEM licenses they become tied to the machine they were initially installed on. Of course there are always question about what actually constitiutes the machine when you can upgrade individual components bit by bit... CPU here, motherboard there, HDD here, new case, ...

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slackersonly

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Apr 13, 2006
525
0
thanks guys. i will do some research to try to understand why oem discs limit me so. (that sucks).
didnt realize that i was about to do something that could be wrong.
i dont want this to go down the path of all the other illegal/piracy discussion so mods please feel free to close/delete.
 

CanadaRAM

macrumors G5
slackersonly said:
Really? Wow. I did not know that. So I dont own a windows license, I own a dell license tied to that machine only? If the Dell dies, then the preinstalled software license(s) are dead with it?
Yup. That's why you didn't pay full retail for the Windows. If Dell hadn't cut a restricted-license deal with MS, then your machine's purchase price would have been $100-$200 more expensive.
 

bigandy

macrumors G3
Apr 30, 2004
8,852
7
Murka
Having not read a Windows EULA in a few years, I'm not sure, but Windows 2000 did certainly have a clause in the license allowing you to transfer it.

My father's business (a solicitors) used it to allow them to move the licenses to newer, custom built machines when the Dells (somewhat predictably) gave up on life.

I'm sure that if the machine is stuffed, or you bin it, there will be a way to transfer the license to the new machine.

However, another big issue would be the protection Dell put on their OEM CDs, making it rather hard to install on another, non Dell, machine.
 

balamw

Moderator emeritus
Aug 16, 2005
19,365
979
New England
bigandy said:
Having not read a Windows EULA in a few years, I'm not sure, but Windows 2000 did certainly have a clause in the license allowing you to transfer it.
Retail licenses (a.k.a. Full Packaged Product) or Volume licenses (whatever they're calling them now) do allow for transfer of the license in the EULA, but not OEM licenses. As CanadaRAM points out this is why they're cheaper than the other options.

bigandy said:
I'm sure that if the machine is stuffed, or you bin it, there will be a way to transfer the license to the new machine.
Not according to the OEM EULA, unless the "new machine" can somehow be construed to be the same machine.

This thread https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/193637/ has links to the generic OEM license the System Builder License.

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slackersonly

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Apr 13, 2006
525
0
i, incorrectly, assumed that the oem discount had to do with a volume discount deal between dell and microsoft.
 

balamw

Moderator emeritus
Aug 16, 2005
19,365
979
New England
slackersonly said:
i, incorrectly, assumed that the oem discount had to do with a volume discount deal between dell and microsoft.
Yes. Part of the deal is that the license is non-transferable, and Dell is responsible for support, not Microsoft.

EDIT: Here's the relevant section from the EULA of my XP license on the Dell at work:

1. GRANT OF LICENSE. Manufacturer grants you the following rights, provided you comply with all of the terms and conditions of this EULA:

* Installation and Use. Except as otherwise expressly provided in this EULA, you may install, use, access, display and run only one (1) copy of the SOFTWARE on the COMPUTER. The SOFTWARE may not be used by more than two (2) processors at any one time on the COMPUTER, unless a higher number is indicated on the Certificate of Authenticity. You may permit a maximum of ten (10) ("Connection Maximum") computers or other electronic devices (each a "Device") to connect to the COMPUTER to utilize the services of the SOFTWARE solely for File and Print services, Internet Information services, and remote access (including connection sharing and telephony services). The ten (10) Connection Maximum includes any indirect connections made through "multiplexing" or other software or hardware which pools or aggregates connections. Except as otherwise permitted below, you may not use the Device to use, access, display or run the SOFTWARE, the SOFTWARE's User Interface or other executable software residing on the COMPUTER.

* Software as a Component of the Computer - Transfer. THIS LICENSE MAY NOT BE SHARED, TRANSFERRED TO OR USED CONCURRENTLY ON DIFFERENT COMPUTERS. The SOFTWARE is licensed with the HARDWARE as a single integrated product and may only be used with the HARDWARE. If the SOFTWARE is not accompanied by new HARDWARE, you may not use the SOFTWARE. You may permanently transfer all of your rights under this EULA only as part of a permanent sale or transfer of the HARDWARE, provided you retain no copies, if you transfer all of the SOFTWARE (including all component parts, the media and printed materials, any upgrades, this EULA and the Certificate of Authenticity), and the recipient agrees to the terms of this EULA. If the SOFTWARE is an upgrade, any transfer must also include all prior versions of the SOFTWARE.

* Mandatory Activation. THIS SOFTWARE CONTAINS TECHNOLOGICAL MEASURES THAT ARE DESIGNED TO PREVENT UNLICENSED OR ILLEGAL USE OF THE SOFTWARE. The license rights granted under this EULA are limited to the first thirty (30) days after you first run the SOFTWARE unless you supply information required to activate your licensed copy in the manner described during the setup sequence (unless Manufacturer has activated for you). You can activate the SOFTWARE through the use of the Internet or telephone; toll charges may apply. You may also need to reactivate the SOFTWARE if you modify your HARDWARE or alter the SOFTWARE.

* Security Updates. Content providers are using the digital rights management technology ("Microsoft DRM") contained in this SOFTWARE to protect the integrity of their content ("Secure Content") so that their intellectual property, including copyright, in such content is not
misappropriated. Owners of such Secure Content ("Secure Content Owners") may, from time to time, request MS, Microsoft Corporation or their subsidiaries to provide
security related updates to the Microsoft DRM components of the SOFTWARE ("Security Updates") that may affect your ability to copy, display and/or play Secure Content
through Microsoft software or third party applications that utilize Microsoft DRM.
YOU THEREFORE AGREE THAT, IF YOU ELECT TO DOWNLOAD A LICENSE FROM THE INTERNET WHICH ENABLES YOUR USE OF SECURE CONTENT, MS, MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR THEIR SUBSIDIARIES MAY, IN CONJUNCTION WITH SUCH LICENSE, ALSO DOWNLOAD ONTO YOUR COMPUTER SUCH SECURITY UPDATES THAT A SECURE CONTENT OWNER HAS REQUESTED THAT MS, MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR THEIR SUBSIDIARIES DISTRIBUTE. MS, Microsoft Corporation or their subsidiaries will not retrieve any personally identifiable information, or any other information, from your COMPUTER by downloading such Security Updates.

* Back-up Copy. IF MANUFACTURER HAS NOT INCLUDED A BACK-UP COPY OF THE SOFTWARE WITH THE COMPUTER ON PHYSICAL MEDIA (e.g. CD OR PARTITIONED HARD DRIVE), YOU MAY MAKE A SINGLE BACK-UP COPY OF THE SOFTWARE. You may use the back-up copy solely for your archival purposes and to reinstall the SOFTWARE on the COMPUTER. Except as expressly provided in this EULA or by local law, you may not otherwise make copies of the SOFTWARE, including the printed materials accompanying the SOFTWARE. You may not loan, rent, lease, lend or otherwise transfer the CD or back-up copy to another user.

* Use of Previous Version Of Software. In lieu of installing and using Microsoft Windows XP Professional SOFTWARE, you may install, use, access, display and run ONE of the following versions: Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional, Microsoft Windows NT Workstation version 4.0 or Microsoft Windows 98 (Second Edition) ("Downgrade Software") on the COMPUTER, provided (1) you agree that Downgrade Software support will NOT be provided hereunder by Manufacturer, MS or Microsoft Corporation, their affiliates or subsidiaries: (2) you agree that neither Manufacturer, MS nor Microsoft Corporation will provide you with the Downgrade Software or media; (3) you may not loan, rent, lease, lend or otherwise transfer the CD or back-up copy of Microsoft Windows XP Professional to another end user, except as otherwise provided in the transfer provisions of this EULA; and (4) such Downgrade Software shall be deemed "SOFTWARE" for the purposes of this EULA and use of the Downgrade Software shall be in compliance with all the terms of this EULA, except that, with respect to Microsoft Windows 98 (Second Edition), your Connection Maximum shall be limited to five (5) Devices.

* Reservation of Rights. Manufacturer, Microsoft Licensing, Inc. ("MS") and its suppliers (including Microsoft Corporation) reserve all rights not expressly granted to you in this EULA.

EDIT: I'm surprised I get downgrade rights!

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