b914c302   
   XPost: comp.sys.mac.advocacy, comp.os.linux.advocacy   
   From: justin@nobecauseihatespam.com   
      
   On 06/30/2010 12:17 AM, Rex Ballard wrote:   
   > On Jun 29, 11:42 pm, Justin  wrote:   
   >> On 06/29/2010 08:11 PM, Lyrik wrote:   
   >   
   >>> On 30 Jun., 00:45, Justin    wrote:   
   >>>> So somebody brought in an HP laptop, running Windows XP.  The hard drive   
   >>>> was completely shot.  I replaced the drive, went to install XP - oh   
   >>>> hoes!  The COA on the bottom was unreadable.  So I went on eBay and   
   >>>> ordered a panel with a CPA with the XP COA on it for a whole $5.   
   >   
   > You probably violated the Microsoft Copyright license.  You should   
   > have been able to call Microsoft, give them the serial number of the   
   > machine, and/or the hard drive, and they would probably have given you   
   > the proper code, or furnished you with a new code.   
      
   Nope.  I would have to order a new CD for (I think) $40.   
      
   >   
   > Corporate customers are supposed to remove or deface the code when   
   > they "recycle" their machines.   
   >   
   > I suspect, from your description, that your friend purchased a   
   > recycled machine, which means that Microsoft would have required you   
   > to purchase a new license - possibly for as much as $300, since the   
   > OEM license is no longer valid (Nullified when the corporate image was   
   > installed), and the corporate license was no longer valid (Nullified   
   > when the company "recycled" it).  If the company had donated it to a   
   > charitable organization, and that organization promised to only give   
   > the PCs to people who couldn't possibly afford to purchase a new   
   > machine for $350 or so, then Microsoft would have donated a license -   
   > for a tax write-off of $300 (full MSRP for Windows).  This would   
   > result in a tax benefit of roughly $100 per machine.   
      
   Incorrect.  The machine was bought new about three years ago.  The   
   company she worked for allows customers to but a laptop though them via   
   a group buy scenario.   
   Her her original invoice only Windows XP Pro was installed.   
      
   >   
   > Since you purchased a new hard drive, you might have been able to   
   > purchase an OEM license from the same company that sold you the drive,   
   > as long as you purchased both at the same time.  The OEM license would   
   > have been about $90 for Home Edition.   
      
   $5 < $90.   
      
   >   
   >>>> I peeled off the old COA and put the "new" one on under the battery.   
   >>>> I ran all the updates and the authentication is working fine.   
   >>>> Since HP didn't include the reinstallation DVDs she would have had to   
   >>>> buy them for at least $40 if they were even available.   
   >   
   >>>> I informed the customer and she was beyond happy!   
   >>>> I'm sure I racked up at least $10,000 in fines on that one.   
   >   
   > Actually, you are the one who violated the copyright laws.  The   
   > criminal penalties are a $150,000 fine and/or 5 years in prison.  Just   
   > be glad you didn't pirate a movie, the penalty for that is $250,000   
   > and up to 10 years in prison.   
      
   Oh well.   
   The law is designed to keep stupid people from hurting themselves and to   
   keep the poor in line.   
      
   >   
   > It's unlikely that the FBI would try to hunt you down, but since you   
   > gave them a written confession, they might be willing to hunt you down   
   > and charge you.  I would suggest that you call Microsoft and get a   
   > proper license.  Alternatively, you could get online with a company   
   > like TigerDirect and purchase a new hard drive, they will offer you   
   > the option of purchasing an OEM license.   
      
   Nah.   
      
   >   
   >>> ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,   
   >>> You could have saved the 5$ and a bad *consienze,* by installing Ubuntu   
   >>> 10.04. Women seldom require 1. person shooters and would benefit from   
   >>> a stable computer environment.   
   >   
   >>> Jens   
   >   
   >> Heh, no.  She needed MS Office.  I do what the customer wants and I have   
   >> a clear *conscience.*   
   >   
   > I assume that you purchased a legal copy of MS Office as well?   
      
   She had a copy of Office Student and Teacher Edition that I installed   
   and verified via the updater.   
      
   >   
   > Since your friend obviously didn't purchase the machine new, she   
   > probably spent less than $200 for the computer.  To be legal, you need   
   > to purchase an OEM license  for $100, and MS-Office Basic edition  for   
   > $160, roughly $260 to make the machine "Legal".  I would suggest that   
   > you call Microsoft and give them her credit card number, so that they   
   > can charge her the proper amounts for the licenses.   
      
   Incorrect, see above.   
   Sure, that's what I'll do, call MS and give them her CC number.  Right...   
   Where's my cellphone?   
      
   >   
   >> Some people are forced to use teh Doze.  Its unfortunate because they   
   >> hate it and the first chance they get they'll switch.   
   >   
   > You could prepare her for the transition by installing BOTH Microsoft   
   > Office AND Open Office.  Tell her that if she can get comfortable with   
   > Open Office, she won't have to pay another $250 to upgrade to Windows   
   > 7 and Office 2010 - in addition to paying $400 or more for the   
   > computer that has enough memory and a fast enough CPU.   
   >   
      
   And then I can tell Mrs. Soccer Mom how to install WINE and explain how   
   emulation works.   
   She said her next machine will be a Macbook Pro.   
      
   --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05   
    * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)