Romeo21779

...sort of but not really.

Quote: Microsoft may be capitulating to complaints from other software firms and European governments, but it's getting pretty rough with its customers. Perhaps too rough. Earlier this month it was learned that the Windows Genuine Advantage (WGA) program in Vista would actually lock computers that failed a WGA authentication check. Now comes word that Microsoft (Quote) has changed the licensing terms for the retail version of Vista. Customers will only be able to reinstall Vista on a new machine once. After that, they will have to buy a new copy of Vista. With Windows XP, Microsoft introduced a validation tool that checks with a Microsoft server to make sure the copy of XP hasn't been installed on other computers. However, there was no real enforcement against people who purchased a new computer to retire an old machine and used the same copy of XP. This is frequently done with "white box" computers, unbranded computers that are built with the same parts that are usually found in computers that carry a fancy brand name. In the five years since Windows XP's release, a person could have gone through three or four computers but the same copy of XP. But that's not going to happen any more, although Microsoft expects minimal impact. "For most customers, this is a rare occurrence. We're just being specific about the intent of the license here and what the copy of Windows is licensed for," said Shanen Boettcher, general manager with Microsoft's Vista unit. Microsoft is trying to be much more clear in the licensing terms than it has in the past, said Boettcher. "If you look at licensing terms for Vista, you will find them much easier to read and much more specific," he said. The primary group that will be affected by this change in licensing is people who build their own PCs and update it incrementally. Some hobbyists like to upgrade their own PCs, replacing the CPU, memory or video card somewhere along the line. With enough changes to a computer, eventually it is a whole new system, which is something of a gray area for WGA. The algorithm in Vista is "more liberal" in terms of the number of changes allowed before it assumes a new machine there compared to XP, said Boettcher. Changing the motherboard and hard drive would be considered a major change, while memory or video upgrades won't be considered a major change. This new licensing also applies to virtualized computers or Intel-based Macintoshes that use dual boot to run Windows and Mac OS X. "We've got some licensing terms specific to virtualization. The basic rule of thumb if there is an install of the OS, whether it's on the bare metal or virtual machine, is an install of the OS," said Boettcher. Charles King, principle analyst with Pund-IT Research, respects Microsoft's desire to protect its intellectual property, but thinks the company is wading into dangerous territory with such strict measures. "I'm not sure if tightening the screws on legal owners of Vista is the wisest way for them to go about it," he said. "It could backfire with people who would willingly upgrade to Vista. If they change the ground rules too much that might dampen the enthusiasm for the new operating system," he said.

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Jobistober

Yeah, this new licensing BS from Micro$oft really ticks me off. And the guy in the article is right, the new licensing terms will hurt us PC enthusiasts more than anyone. I just don't understand their reasoning at all... just becuase I upgrade my mobo or harddrive, why does that make them think I need to buy a new license if I still have the same copy installed on only one machine? It's absolutely retarded... if it comes down to it, I just won't use windows anymore.

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Romeo21779

We need games that can run on linux. That would solve so many problems.

I guess that goes for all software.

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corruptjoker

Thats is crazy!! So when I buy a new motherboard and have to buy vista again, am I getting the same thing or something new¿¿¿ Nope new motherboard and same old windows... XP is fine with me. ...

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ranger1033

Well one things for sure if it all turns out to be true i will not be running Vista i stay with XP Pro and Win2000pro, will just have to wait and see in the coming months before it is finally released if they change there story around.

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eascarface

Hmmm....Dailytechs got a different reading---they're saying that its the same as XP.

Quote: As far as how adding and removing hardware components will affect activation, Vista will operate in a similar manner to Windows XP -- and in most cases, it won't be as picky. For enthusiasts out there who often upgrade hardware components, replacing memory, upgrading your video card, or changing out your processor won't set off any major alarms with Vista. Two component changes that will cause Vista to stand up take notice, however, are changes to the motherboard and hard drive. In that case, if automatic electronic reactivation does not occur, you will be prompted to call Microsoft support to reactivate your installation over the phone. This, again, is no different than what was required with Windows XP.

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ranger1033

Quote: Originally Posted by eascarface Hmmm....Dailytechs got a different reading---they're saying that its the same as XP.

You are so correct on posting this there is just to many different stories out there what is what about Vista and how it will be release to the public, all in all i think all this will change when it is finally released time will tell.

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Nerdz

Quote: Originally Posted by Romeo21779 We need games that can run on linux. That would solve so many problems. I guess that goes for all software.

I wonder, with all this BS if the game makers will start moving to Linux platforms because there might be conflicts with Vista... Game makers could still make money if they did it, Hell, they would make even more money than if they stayed with Just Windows...

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Romeo21779

I guess we won't know anything final until it comes out. I am still sticking with XP for a while. I am not building a new computer just yet. Once DirectX10 comes out, I'll start thinking about switching but until then I will hold off.

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HemiCuda1970

So If I add a bigger Hdd I will have to buy a "new" copy of Vista? Lets say that I have 1 120GB drive..Buy Vista and install it..Later on down the road I buy a 500GB drive and add it to the computer I have to buy a new copy?

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eascarface

You shouldn't have to. At worst you'll have to call up Microsoft support. At best nothing will happen.

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joecoin

Quote: Originally Posted by HemiCuda1970 So If I add a bigger Hdd I will have to buy a "new" copy of Vista? Lets say that I have 1 120GB drive..Buy Vista and install it..Later on down the road I buy a 500GB drive and add it to the computer I have to buy a new copy?

The way I understand it, if you are just adding a drive, no. If your drive dies and you have to reinstall Vista, you have one shot. After that, you are locked out. But this is all preliminary stuff, it's definetely wait and see.

It's my firm belief that the major OEM's are behind this. Dell and HP. If I have a customer whose Dell mobo is shot, I can usually replace it with a better mobo at a third of the cost of the Dell OEM replacement. But, if VISTA is configured this way, then an exact replacement will be all the customer has a choice of, unless they wnat to buy a new copy of VISTA.

So, now I gotta figure out which version of LINUX to start selling.

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HemiCuda1970

So if a computer gets messed up cuz of things like spywhare and the like you can't do a clean instal? like reformating and such?

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eascarface

Quote: Originally Posted by HemiCuda1970 So if a computer gets messed up cuz of things like spywhare and the like you can't do a clean instal? like reformating and such?

I think it depends on what kind of license you have---if you're doing this on a Dell etc. than I think you're gonna have problems with Vista reinstalls unless youve got a restore disk. If you screw up your own license there may be more leeway.

At least thats the way I see correct me if Im wrong though.

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Nerdz

Quote: Originally Posted by joecoin The way I understand it, if you are just adding a drive, no. If your drive dies and you have to reinstall Vista, you have one shot. After that, you are locked out. But this is all preliminary stuff, it's definetely wait and see. It's my firm belief that the major OEM's are behind this. Dell and HP. If I have a customer whose Dell mobo is shot, I can usually replace it with a better mobo at a third of the cost of the Dell OEM replacement. But, if VISTA is configured this way, then an exact replacement will be all the customer has a choice of, unless they wnat to buy a new copy of VISTA. So, now I gotta figure out which version of LINUX to start selling.

Errr, ubuntu, or kubuntu...Possibly Knoppix too. But for the "average" user, Linux would be virtually Impossible to use....Me and a fellow geek have come up with the theory that if for no reason at all, everyone switched to linux, The world would virtually stop turning since no one would know what to do...Anyone whos not a geek would just...explode in confusion...lol

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Wordbiker

As long as I can call when I reformat a rig to get validated, I don't have an issue. If there's any truth to the first article...I would have an issue.

What happens if a PC gets hit by a lightning surge ( very common occurence in the Rockies) and fries everything? Since all I've paid for is the right to use Windows and I don't really own it anyway, nor does it exist as anything but a series of word code strings, why couldn't I just reinstall it on new hardware and use it again? It's already been paid for and as long as the disc is still intact, is perfectly usable.

It seems to me that if Microsoft is going to try and treat their copyrighted software as hardware (which is covered under patents, not copyrights), then the OS should be released as a piece of hardware, say an encrypted and dedicated write-once flash card. Then, if their hardware gets fried, I could understand them needing the old card exchanged for a new one, guaranteeing that it can't be used on more than one machine. It could then be considered a "lea