Feb 21, 2006

Posted by in Software, Tech News | 8 Comments

Upgraded Motherboard Needs New Windows license

Picked this up from Aviran’s Place.

Microsoft stated:

An upgrade of the motherboard is considered to result in a “new personal computer” to which Microsoft® OEM operating system software cannot be transferred from another computer. If the motherboard is upgraded or replaced for reasons other than a defect, then a new computer has been created and the license of new operating system software is required.

It further reasons:

Microsoft needed to have one base component “left standing” that would still define that original PC. Since the motherboard contains the CPU and is the “heart and soul” of the PC, when the motherboard is replaced (for reasons other than defect) a new PC is essentially created.

I think this kind of reasoning will encourage rather than discourage piracy and/or resort to open source software. In my opinion, the “heart and soul” (should it have one) of a computer is the data/information stored therein. The CPU is merely a tool by which this data/information is processed.

Also, taking this argument to the extreme, any upgrade one makes with the processor itself (not the motherboard, though this may be far-fetched) will require a new license.

Bring on Linux, in all its flavors and all free open source software!

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  1. umm who bought windows here, raise your hand…. i thought so

  2. thats just dumb, I that would make licensed windows users like (some) of us be more disadvantageous rather than giving us an edge over piracy supporters.

  3. i guess many people will transfer to linux. and this might increase in use of pirated windows.

  4. mabuhay ang mga pirata!!!! hehehe…

    panigurado magiging mabenta pa rin ang piniratang bintana.

  5. how are they going to “strictly” implement this?

  6. Read the EULA of both OEM licenses and FPP (Full-Packaged Product) licenses. FPP licenses allow you to transfer license from one PC to another and covers motherboard upgrades; OEM licenses, because they are tied to the original equipment, are non-transferrable. That is why OEM licenses are cheaper.

    And how will they enforce? Through the activation process. Upgrading a motherboard will force the activation process.

    Read about it at my blog in http://www.technopinoy.com.

  7. baluga01 says:

    this is your door to linux. i dont know why they are trying to insert themselves in a narrow window.

    p.s.
    (paano na ung licensed windows 95 sa 486 ko? huhuhu…)

  8. I have absolutely zero knowledge of linux but someone gave me a live ubuntu CD so I am seriously thinking of migrating to linux. Goodbye Windows! … Can you please give me links to what I have to read to cope with the migration to ubuntu? I read the documentation but it was not enough to enlighten me.

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  1. Techno Pinoy - New motherboard, new Microsoft license? - [...] Posted in Uncategorized by Mon Solo on February 23, 2006. This story was taken from aviransplace, has been ...

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