Is this a legal way to buy Windows XP?

[Danny]

I want to buy a legal version of Windows XP to install on a Mac so we have the ability to run Windows only programmes.

Was wondering about buying one of the these software disks from ebay. Is this legal, or legal enough so that I can register the Windows software with Microsoft and get updates, etc.

 

[mcshroom]

Not sure how legal they are, but I got a similar (Dell) set and it registered with MicroSoft fine after installation

 

[_aD]

Microsoft's OEM licenses are bound to the computer they were sold with. According to the license terms they are not transferable. You need a "boxed retail" XP for it to be all above board. It'll prolly be easier to find Windows 7 retail http://www.ebuyer.com/product/168373 .

Chances are, with those OEM licenses, that you may have to call an automated phone line, plug in some codes, and write down a new CD key code.

 

[fossyant]

Chances are, with those OEM licenses, that you may have to call an automated phone line, plug in some codes, and write down a new CD key code.
[/quote]

If you can get through !

 

[classic33]

In short No.

Microsofts licence is for the machine(s) it was bought for & first installed on. Any subsequent reuse is seen as illegal, by microsoft. See PM sent.

 

[on the road]

What he said.

Basically you'd be buying a dud.

 

[2Loose]

As the advert states, this binding a software licence to hardware business has been tested in European court already and has been found not to be enforceable if the software was provided on a separate disk - which is why it very rare to buy a computer nowadays which comes with the disks, as opposed to having it pre-installed and residing on a backup partition, it saves the supplier about 40 quid per pc!

Anyway, I replaced my PC and used the same OEM copy on the new PC and activated it fine - Microsoft only ask if the copy is only being used on one computer, which is fair enough.

Not sure of the legality, but if it is good enough for MS when I called them, it is good enough for me!