Legal question about winXP

Tekko · Oct 24, 2005

I just lost my WinXP CD to a freak accident(CD rack was thrown down by my hyperactive cat) and the CD now has a crack, if I download a CD image will it be illegal considering I bought my XP licence? Would Microsoft send me a replacement CD if I send them back the damaged disk?

ErikD · Oct 24, 2005

Hmm, interesting problem. I really doubt MS would be of much help here, but if I weren't in a big rush I would try to go through them first. Afterall if you did pay for the license, but the CD was damaged they really have no reason not to help you. Even if it is just for the cost of shipping a new CD or whatever. At least you avoid all of the problems of potentially getting some other unwelcome additions by downloading a pirated OS.

BTW, your key won't necessarily work with some other CD that you use. Different versions use different keys, so you would probably need to find the exact same version as you have for that to work.

Captain Newbie · Oct 24, 2005

Tekko said:
I just lost my WinXP CD to a freak accident(CD rack was thrown down by my hyperactive cat) and the CD now has a crack, if I download a CD image will it be illegal considering I bought my XP licence? Would Microsoft send me a replacement CD if I send them back the damaged disk?

Call and ask. They may actually be receptive to that sort of thing.

Xoligy · Oct 24, 2005

yeah call and ask fisrt they may sort something else then again they may say you need a "new" license you just never know with them!

Blackmage · Oct 24, 2005

Have you Called? if so what did they say?

MRD · Oct 24, 2005

They will replace the disk for a small shipping and handling fee of $299.99 (Continental 48 states only).

@md0Cer · Oct 24, 2005

MRD said:
They will replace the disk for a small shipping and handling fee of $299.99 (Continental 48 states only).

No kiddin'....

I wouldn't be shocked....

Anyway, I recommend talking to Microsoft first. If they do replace the disk for little or no cost, I would do what I feel is ethically OK.

Captain Newbie · Oct 24, 2005

MRD said:
They will replace the disk for a small shipping and handling fee of $299.99 (Continental 48 states only).

How true it is... :bang head

Tekko · Oct 24, 2005

MRD said:
They will replace the disk for a small shipping and handling fee of $299.99 (Continental 48 states only).

Trouble I live in the continental 10 province only

I will call them tommorow morning before work, I've posted on there support page and I have yet to have an answer...

MisterEd · Oct 24, 2005

I accidently scratched my copy of Windows XP Pro (upgrade). I only had it a few weeks. I called Microsoft. They asked if it was a retail version. If I had said no then that would have ended the call. They then asked for the Poduct Key. For $30 they sent me one of those "Not for retail or OEM distribution" CDs. It was better than paying another $200. They did NOT want me to send back the original CD.

MRD · Oct 25, 2005

There should be a law that companies who copy protect their media so you cannot back it up must replace media that becomes unusable at no charge to the user.

Goshawk · Oct 25, 2005

Honestly, I think microsoft could care less about the media itself. When you purchase Windows XP, your paying for the product key. If you download an ISO and use a pirated key... = stealing. Though, if you downloaded the ISO and used your own key, than your within the law. You bought the key already =)

The only problem is, that key will only work for that particular release. ie you can't use a service pack 1a OEM key on a service pack 2 retail version.

Good luck!

~ Gos

MRD · Oct 25, 2005

M$ still looks at your losing a CD as a chance to take another couple hundred bucks out of your wallet. They think that no one can live without windows, so you'll have no choice but to buy another copy of windows, which makes money for them.

It's not really in their interests to make it easy to replace the CD.

Personally, I don't see anything morally/ethically wrong with just copying another CD and using your key.

>HyperlogiK< · Oct 25, 2005

in the UK it is illegal, I used to Kazaa stuff that I owned on tape from years ago, and then I found out that the law didn't allow for it. I have to buy it all again, this is one of the reasons why I feel little sympathy for RIAA type organisations.

Beginner · Oct 25, 2005

>HyperlogiK< said:
in the UK it is illegal, I used to Kazaa stuff that I owned on tape from years ago, and then I found out that the law didn't allow for it. I have to buy it all again, this is one of the reasons why I feel little sympathy for RIAA type organisations.

there was a thread somewhere on how to use nlite to accommodate xp for certain key's.

i can't find it but i now i read it.

i still use kazaalite for "legal" stuff like pictures

, i hear about how bad it is and how there's nothing useful there, my answer to that is more people use kazaa than any other p2p program.

my buddies have paid for morpheus pro and i still find everything they look for and for free.

ProperMethodz · Oct 25, 2005

I suggest creating an image of your hard drive. You can purchase the image software from various companies, Symantec's Ghost being the most popular. This would help save you a couple of bucks.

I'd also give them a call. Microsoft has been listening lately to the public since other operating systems have become more useable. Microsoft has also been making an attempt to become more "friendly" lately since they have become more of a public figure and not just a company.

I strongly advise against any attempt at downloading and installing any ISO off of the internet. Many of these have root viruses along with their packaging which has the hightest access to your computer. It would allow for full access to everything.

>HyperlogiK< · Oct 25, 2005

also in future only use copies of your cds and keep the real ones for backup.

Sjaak · Oct 25, 2005

>HyperlogiK< said:
also in future only use copies of your cds and keep the real ones for backup.

They might nail you for that. Usually it's NOT allowed to make a copy for yourself :/

MisterEd · Oct 25, 2005

You are allowed to make a backup copy of Windows XP:

Back-up Copy.

YOU MAY MAKE A SINGLE BACK-UP COPY OF THE SOFTWARE.
YOU MAY USE ONE (1) BACK-UP COPY SOLELY FOR YOUR ARCHIVAL
PURPOSES AND TO REINSTALL THE SOFTWARE ON THE COMPUTER.

Captain Newbie · Oct 25, 2005

>HyperlogiK< said:
also in future only use copies of your cds and keep the real ones for backup.

They would nail you for that.

Legal question about winXP

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