Is it legal to Distribute Windows 8 trial on our customers

joellem

New Member
Messages
2
Is it legal to install windows 8 trial on our customers we have a computer retail store and we cant sell pirated software of any kind but some of our customer isnt familiar on Linux OSes we are just thinking if we could use windows 8 trial and about the legality of our installation tnx hope for your reply "hope someone would put some link regarding this issue tnx"
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 SL
NO, as the windows 8 trial is for your personal testing only.

MS Business guide.

View attachment Microsoft Refurbished PC Licensing Guidelines FY13Q3.zip

Microsoft said:
Q. I have acquired a used PC with the original manufacturer’s
Windows desktop operating system COA on the computer’s
case and the matching copy of the original OEM recovery
media disk or recovery media image that came with the PC
when it was new. Is the Original Equipment Manufacturer
(OEM) Windows desktop operating system on this used PC
properly licensed?


A. Yes, in this case it appears that you have the genuine OEM
Windows desktop operating system software which is designed
exclusively for computer manufacturers to preinstall on their
computers. Genuine OEM software always comes with a COA
(note: the OEM COA is different from an orange retail proof of
license label) and a manual or Quick Start Guide. Some major
manufacturers provide an OEM disc for reinstalling programs,
while smaller manufacturers are required to provide a Microsoft
Windows edge-to-edge hologram disc. OEM software cannot
be downloaded and may not be unbundled or re-bundled from
sources other than the OEM selling you the computer.


Q. I have recovery media from a manufacturer that will install
the Windows operating system on a different model than
the one specified on the media. I also have recovery media
from one manufacturer that works on PCs from another
manufacturer. Can I use these for the PCs I am refurbishing?


A. No. Recovery media can only be used with the original PC that
it accompanied when supplied by the OEM to the end user
customer.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    ME, XP,Vista,Win7,Win8,Win8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Other Info
    Notebooks x 3

    Desktops x 5

    Towers x 4
I suppose if you have a used PC and it has all of the original recovery disks and driver disks, you can use those.

That's what I do, I aquire old computers from people who have upgraded and I get all of their recovery media, then I just use them to "recover" the original OS and install all of the drivers and original OEM programs.

Sometimes the "Recovery" disk is a Norton Ghost Image, that just re-installs the original OS, sometimes it is a Windows Install Disk, with a built in Key that you cannot add or change, that self-activates and it is made specifically for the hardware on that particular PC, so if you change something major in there, it will fail to activate. The you have to buy a new Key.

You MAY be able to contact MS, ask them for some legit Trial installers, they will come with all of the documentation needed. You have to be in the System Builder Program to get those. The original System Builder program I did was a box full of about 15 Windows 95 installers, keys and those stickers. Those disks are only legal to use with Brand New Systems.

I remember I used to buy non-licensed Windows XP install disks from PC-Club, they sold them for 5 bucks apiece, I would buy my own licenses for those, but I always gave the CD to whoever I sold the system to, I never made copies of it.

I don't know if PC-Club was strictly legit with that practice, they would do it for me cos I was pumping several hundred bucks into their store a month. But then they all miraculously vanished off trhe face of the earth in about one day. One Day, I bought a ton of hardware from them, the very next day the whole STORE was vacant, no warning, not a single clue this was gonna happen:

PC Club Net - The Company
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 Pro with Media Center/Windows 7
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Asus M2N-MX SE Plus § DualCore AMD Athlon 64 X2, 2300 MHz (11.5 x 200) 4400+ § Corsair Value Select
    CPU
    AMD 4400+/4200+
    Motherboard
    Asus M2N-MX SE Plus/Asus A8M2N-LA (NodusM)
    Memory
    2 GB/3GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    GeForce 8400 GS/GeForce 210
    Sound Card
    nVIDIA GT218 - High Definition Audio Controller
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Hitachi 40" LCD HDTV
    Screen Resolution
    "1842 x 1036"
    Hard Drives
    WDC WD50 00AAKS-007AA SCSI Disk Device
    ST1000DL 002-9TT153 SCSI Disk Device
    WDC WD3200AAJB-00J3A0 ATA Device
    WDC WD32 WD-WCAPZ2942630 USB Device
    WD My Book 1140 USB Device
    PSU
    Works 550w
    Case
    MSI "M-Box"
    Cooling
    Water Cooled
    Keyboard
    Dell Keyboard
    Mouse
    Microsoft Intellimouse
    Internet Speed
    Cable Medium Speed
    Browser
    Chrome/IE 10
    Antivirus
    Eset NOD32 6.x/Win Defend
    Other Info
    Recently lost my Windows 8 on my main PC, had to go back to Windows 7.
tnx even the one that can be downloaded in msdn or the regular DVD retail

Definitely not the one that can be downloaded from MSDN (or Technet).

Not to fuss at you, because you have asked. We who have Technet or MSDN licenses had our "testing rights" severely limited because some bad apples used their subscriptions to install unauthorized copies on other people's machines. The Technet and MSDN subscriptions are for testing by the license holder, and no one else.

Y'see, Windows must be installed with a key and activated before it can be used. Once that's done, that copy of Windows has been "used" and is no longer available for any other machine. I know this because of the EULA and also because if I upgrade to a better machine, I have to call Microsoft to be able to activate my legal copy again.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP Pavilion 500-056
    CPU
    AMD Elite Quad-Core A8-6500
    Memory
    8 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    AMD Radeon HD 8570D
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Acer 23"
    Screen Resolution
    1920 X 1080
    Hard Drives
    1 TB
    Keyboard
    Logitech Wave K350
    Mouse
    Logitech M510
    Internet Speed
    Fast
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
I've always had to buy new keys, even for machines with Windows 7 that came with the recovery disks- Unless the Windows 7 on those machines was still viable, then I just delete all of the programs that were installed and make a new blank User account and delete the old one. But if the new user wants to re-install Windows 7, it's on them to buy a new Key.

If the recovery medium had to be used, especially on those systems that had a Ghost Image, sometimes they come up activated, but after a few days, the activation fails and you have to buy a new key. If the recovery medium requires a Key be installed, you can enter the key that's on the machine, but most likely it will make you buy a new one.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 Pro with Media Center/Windows 7
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Asus M2N-MX SE Plus § DualCore AMD Athlon 64 X2, 2300 MHz (11.5 x 200) 4400+ § Corsair Value Select
    CPU
    AMD 4400+/4200+
    Motherboard
    Asus M2N-MX SE Plus/Asus A8M2N-LA (NodusM)
    Memory
    2 GB/3GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    GeForce 8400 GS/GeForce 210
    Sound Card
    nVIDIA GT218 - High Definition Audio Controller
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Hitachi 40" LCD HDTV
    Screen Resolution
    "1842 x 1036"
    Hard Drives
    WDC WD50 00AAKS-007AA SCSI Disk Device
    ST1000DL 002-9TT153 SCSI Disk Device
    WDC WD3200AAJB-00J3A0 ATA Device
    WDC WD32 WD-WCAPZ2942630 USB Device
    WD My Book 1140 USB Device
    PSU
    Works 550w
    Case
    MSI "M-Box"
    Cooling
    Water Cooled
    Keyboard
    Dell Keyboard
    Mouse
    Microsoft Intellimouse
    Internet Speed
    Cable Medium Speed
    Browser
    Chrome/IE 10
    Antivirus
    Eset NOD32 6.x/Win Defend
    Other Info
    Recently lost my Windows 8 on my main PC, had to go back to Windows 7.
I've always had to buy new keys, even for machines with Windows 7 that came with the recovery disks- Unless the Windows 7 on those machines was still viable, then I just delete all of the programs that were installed and make a new blank User account and delete the old one. But if the new user wants to re-install Windows 7, it's on them to buy a new Key.

If the recovery medium had to be used, especially on those systems that had a Ghost Image, sometimes they come up activated, but after a few days, the activation fails and you have to buy a new key. If the recovery medium requires a Key be installed, you can enter the key that's on the machine, but most likely it will make you buy a new one.

Ah, yes, you're right, Xwe, and I just didn't make myself quite clear. Other than laptops I build all my own systems. That is, except for this last HP Pavilion 500-56, which was priced right. Even so, I probably will do a clean install of 8.1 since 8 is OEM (can you say recovery and new key?) :sick:

Sooooooooo, that being said, on the systems I build, of course, there's nothing to recover. I just put the current OS on and go from there. Usually, each build will last through several hardware upgrades and eventually, I'll wind up with a new mobo or hard drive in it. That's usually when I wind up having to call Microsoft to reactivate.

I keep saying I'm getting to the age of this being the last computer I'll need, but so far, it seems I'm suckered in with each new thing that pops up.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP Pavilion 500-056
    CPU
    AMD Elite Quad-Core A8-6500
    Memory
    8 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    AMD Radeon HD 8570D
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Acer 23"
    Screen Resolution
    1920 X 1080
    Hard Drives
    1 TB
    Keyboard
    Logitech Wave K350
    Mouse
    Logitech M510
    Internet Speed
    Fast
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
Yah, when I make a new system for someone, MS makes some money off them, thats for sure. But I always build it so that I won't have to see it for at least a year,

That's why I handle people's used systems, it is almost as bad as wearing someone else's dirty socks, but I've come across some great systems, and saved some people a lot of money - If they don't have to buy an OS, they can buy some programs.

Whenever I get a new OEM system for myself, I GET all of the real, physical Disks that come with it, or it gets sent back for a full refund.

Otherwise I just make my own or rebuild one I had.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 Pro with Media Center/Windows 7
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Asus M2N-MX SE Plus § DualCore AMD Athlon 64 X2, 2300 MHz (11.5 x 200) 4400+ § Corsair Value Select
    CPU
    AMD 4400+/4200+
    Motherboard
    Asus M2N-MX SE Plus/Asus A8M2N-LA (NodusM)
    Memory
    2 GB/3GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    GeForce 8400 GS/GeForce 210
    Sound Card
    nVIDIA GT218 - High Definition Audio Controller
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Hitachi 40" LCD HDTV
    Screen Resolution
    "1842 x 1036"
    Hard Drives
    WDC WD50 00AAKS-007AA SCSI Disk Device
    ST1000DL 002-9TT153 SCSI Disk Device
    WDC WD3200AAJB-00J3A0 ATA Device
    WDC WD32 WD-WCAPZ2942630 USB Device
    WD My Book 1140 USB Device
    PSU
    Works 550w
    Case
    MSI "M-Box"
    Cooling
    Water Cooled
    Keyboard
    Dell Keyboard
    Mouse
    Microsoft Intellimouse
    Internet Speed
    Cable Medium Speed
    Browser
    Chrome/IE 10
    Antivirus
    Eset NOD32 6.x/Win Defend
    Other Info
    Recently lost my Windows 8 on my main PC, had to go back to Windows 7.
You should be having your lawyer ask Microsoft. You will get as many opinions as there are posters here.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 consumer 64 bit
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Acer Aspire M5 481PT-6644
    CPU
    Intel Core I5
    Memory
    6 GB
    Hard Drives
    Spinning/SSD hybrid 500GB/20GB
    Mouse
    ELAN Trackpad
    Internet Speed
    18mbs/5mbs
    Browser
    Chrome
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
Reading the EULA saves a lawyer fee. :dinesh:
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP Pavilion 500-056
    CPU
    AMD Elite Quad-Core A8-6500
    Memory
    8 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    AMD Radeon HD 8570D
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Acer 23"
    Screen Resolution
    1920 X 1080
    Hard Drives
    1 TB
    Keyboard
    Logitech Wave K350
    Mouse
    Logitech M510
    Internet Speed
    Fast
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
You would be surprised what some small shops get away with, I've seen some extremely unethical practices discussed in back rooms of some of these places, in order for the shop to spend zero dollars on certain things, they charge the customer full price for an installation and activation. That's why I know so much about how it is done. It's 100% profit for them. Most of the shops I was familiar with that operated this way are no longer there, I have never seen them again... And maybe I saw them do something that made me so mad that I actually told somebody about it.

So I am pleased that the OP asking in this forum, it is better to ask, and to KNOW what you can and cannot do.

One shop I know of, that sells used PCs, they always include a licensed and activated version of the OS, with install disk. They may have gotten the Machines for nothing, but they always buy new OSes for them. People bring their older systems in and trade them for new ones, they get a decent discount if they leave the old machine. They just reformat the HD's, install a new OS into it, its not as much profit but it's a lot better, because the new user has some kind of warranty.

SO if you are gonna sell used equipment, make sure the Motherboards are in good shape, no Electrolytic caps about to Burst open, no dust, case id clean, and if the original owner did not give you all of the original disks and manuals, you will have to buy a new OS for it.

Actually, if XP is still being sold to Shops, you should buy as many copies as you can.

But I don't think you can, here is the page for the System Builder Program:

OEM System Builder Licensing
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 Pro with Media Center/Windows 7
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Asus M2N-MX SE Plus § DualCore AMD Athlon 64 X2, 2300 MHz (11.5 x 200) 4400+ § Corsair Value Select
    CPU
    AMD 4400+/4200+
    Motherboard
    Asus M2N-MX SE Plus/Asus A8M2N-LA (NodusM)
    Memory
    2 GB/3GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    GeForce 8400 GS/GeForce 210
    Sound Card
    nVIDIA GT218 - High Definition Audio Controller
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Hitachi 40" LCD HDTV
    Screen Resolution
    "1842 x 1036"
    Hard Drives
    WDC WD50 00AAKS-007AA SCSI Disk Device
    ST1000DL 002-9TT153 SCSI Disk Device
    WDC WD3200AAJB-00J3A0 ATA Device
    WDC WD32 WD-WCAPZ2942630 USB Device
    WD My Book 1140 USB Device
    PSU
    Works 550w
    Case
    MSI "M-Box"
    Cooling
    Water Cooled
    Keyboard
    Dell Keyboard
    Mouse
    Microsoft Intellimouse
    Internet Speed
    Cable Medium Speed
    Browser
    Chrome/IE 10
    Antivirus
    Eset NOD32 6.x/Win Defend
    Other Info
    Recently lost my Windows 8 on my main PC, had to go back to Windows 7.
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