Comments on: Microsoft limits Vista transfers

Retail buyers of the OS will only be able to legally transfer the software once. After that, it's back to the store to buy a new copy.

[Commander_Spock]

Is It That The "EMPIRE" Is Crumbling Or What!

That "Under changes to Microsoft's licensing terms, buyers of retail copies of Vista will only be able to transfer their software to a new machine once. If they want to move their software a second time, they will have to buy a new copy of the operating system". These are the assumptions, the talent pool upon which the "EMPIRE" once relied is possibly drying up, the "VINTAGE VETERANS" are perhaps worn out; so, there may be desperation on the CAMPUS at Redmond. Can't say that I did not try convincing some folks to stick with OS/2 Warp... Anyway, don't panic WINDOWS HALF-BROTHER (WARP) will now be called "VOYAGER" and Open-Source and it is well on its way for you to get on board to continue on with your computing journey; so, why loose sleep over VISTA!

"The Design of Voyager"

"A Desktop for the 21th Century."

http://voyager.netlabs.org/dov.xhtml

[gggg sssss]

Mac OS

Can you transfer your Mac OS to another machine? Not liekly - unless it is another Mac ( can you even do that - buy a naked Mac ?) Dont think so. You certainly can't transfer it to a do-it-yourself Asus based machine.

So maybe teh mac adicts should stay out of this one.

[MacGregory]

You are right ... and wrong ...

You are right, you can't transfer it to a do-it-yourself Asus
machine. Wow, big deal. So if Vista is only for geeks that hang
out at Fry's all day, then it will end up with a Linux-like
following. You are just wrong about what the average buyer
wants.

You are right that you are not likely to transfer an OS from one
Mac to the other, unless you are down-grading, but that is
because you get a new computer with a fresh OS everytime you
buy a new Mac ... and it costs about the same.

So maybe bad spelling Asus "adicts" should also stay out of this
one!

[taugust04]

RE: Mac OS

This article is about purchasing retail copies of Vista. If you buy a retail copy of Mac OS X, yes, it can be transfered to any Mac you own, so if you own a Mac, then want to sell it, you can uninstall it, then install the copy of Mac OS X you purchased on your next Mac.

Granted, new Macs come with the newest version of OS X, but some folks can only afford used ones, and in those cases, a transfer of the license is fully legal.

[taugust04]

re: Mac OS

This article is about purchasing retail copies of Vista. If you buy a retail copy of Mac OS X, yes, it can be transfered to any Mac you own, so if you own a Mac, then want to sell it, you can uninstall it, then install the copy of Mac OS X you purchased on your next Mac.

Granted, new Macs come with the newest version of OS X, but some folks can only afford used ones, and in those cases, a transfer of the license is fully legal.

[Thomas, David]

Re: Mac OS

You can transfer your system settings, data, etc.

All macs come with the OS pre-installed.

Why, on this earth, would anyone purchasing a mac want it
without the OS? That's like ordering a hamburger with only the
bread. I'm sure you can come up with a scenario that would
ultimately be completely unreasonable. If you understood the
system, and the OS you wouldn't even suggest it.

Most, if not all mac users, use and/or own win-pcs. I'm one of
them. While macs are well engineered, with the OS working
symbiotically for best performances, pcs tend to come in various
degrees of engineered platforms. Unless you're willing to spend
more money than purchasing a mac, you will tend to (more often
than not) to purchase a pc that is engineered at a lower quality.
That is why so many people mod there machines. Me, I've about
given up, but as long as my 2000, 2003, and XP machines will
run, I'll run them into the ground. Hasta La Vista Vista

[imacpwr]

Re: Mac OS

I bought a (naked) used G4 Mac, put a large hard drive in it and
installed OS X. Guess what, the OS X dvd doesn't even ask for a
serial number to install the operating system..!!
:-P

[sundance_tree]

Nearly Microsoft Free!

We run a small company with about 25 terminals and 45 servers. All of our servers are now running Linux etc.. it took some time to convert our internal applications but in 6 months, just about after Vista is released, we'd have finished converting all of them to java/web. Our next cycle of desktop replacement will then use Open Source! Its a long process for sure.. but worth it.

[lenn5]

Fed up with MS!!!. I'm ordering a Mac tomorrow!

I've been a LONG time MS user going back to the good ol DOS days.
Have been getting more and more fed up with MS ever since XP/
SP2. MS now treats us loyal customers like dirt. Well this ol'guy has
had enough! Not to mention all the time i waste protecting my
computer from viruses and spyware. Thanks MS for making such a
buggy piece of software.

Tomorrow i'm off to the local Apple store to get my first Mac. Adios
Redmond!

[imacpwr]

Re: Fed up with M$..! Order the Mac..!!

Once you go Mac, you'll never look back..!!!
The one thing you'll say about the switch to a Mac is, Why didn't I
do this sooner..?!?! If you're just a gammer then the Mac is the
wrong choice, switch to a PlayStation instead but for everything
else you'll find the Mac blows away M$. Have fun with the new
Mac..!
tip: I bought a 20" Intel iMac, not only does it preform well it's just
down right SEXY..!!!

[vminvic]

Yet another reason to skip Microsoft

Think that high price, tons of bugs/ security
issues, and excessive system requirements aren't
enough of a disincentive ? No wait - now you
won't be able to upgrade to new systems over
life of operating system ! I will NEVER be
purchasing Vista. Can the rip off by Microsoft
get any worse ?

Software writers please note : Huge demand for
Linux os operable applications coming up soon.

[kyle172]

Thats so stupid

Now that I hear this I think that I'm going to stick with Windows XP, This is another way of Microsoft trying to make another buck. Microsoft is going to lose alot of people if they do this. If I pay for the software I should be able to put it on any machine I own reguardless

[Jim Hubbard]

www.bindows.net

Bindows. Thats the way to go.

Then it doesn't mater what desktop you run.

[GrandpaN1947]

ya right

For a cost of over $600.

No thanks.

[jasmoto]

Enough is enough

I was really looking forward to Vista. But I'm tired of Vista's insane licensing schemes (scams). You know the funny thing, after running Vista RCs this actually forced me to look at Linux for the Desktop, you know what, Linux has come on a lot since I last looked at it and is now viable. It still needs a few things but I don't need Vista!

[thetarget]

New license for transfering? erms...

lol... i work as an IT support group in a govnernment agency. I've seen harddisk died, and yes you will need a reinstall -- a new license? I've seen "Windows cannot find C:\windows\system32\config\system, It may be corrupted", and you will need to reinstall(repair wont do a thing, trust me =]) -- a new license?
me myself has windows server 2003, and 3 winxp pro license in my house. On 3 seperate desktops and 1 server rack. I've to upgrade them periodically to keep up foreign requests -- a new license?

Lol... I'll keep with windows XP for a moment, see what happens... i'll skip mac tho, i'm working with a workstation you know lol.. linux for me :)

[City_Of_LA]

Well, I for one aren't paying for Vista now

I was going to buy the Home Premium version but will rather wait and "acquire" it later. Their security will be cracked within weeks. i will NEVER pay for another MS product again.
I've also forwarded this article to about 100 people on my email lists warning them in the strongest words possible to stay away from this toilet of a company.

I always champoined MS, no more.

[wingslikeshieldsofsteel]

I'm with him ^^^

I thought a nice new dual core with Vista might be cool since my current home machine is slow enough with XP anyway. My girlfriend is an Art teacher and wanted a Mac but I have so far resisted. Why would I bother holding out, now? I live in a city with a shiny new apple store. I've been in already and the staff knew their stuff and were really helpful. I haven't really touched other OS'es in 10 years, but nothing lasts forever...

[menty666]

Pile it on!

Let me get this straight....I pay 1000.00+ for the Windows Ultra Special Super Happy Penultimate Edition, my drive crashes twice or I upgrade the machine so it has a new board or drive, and despite having the disc, despite having the key, I now have to go plunk down another grand for another copy? I mean, what about the annual rebuilds this stupid OS seems to require? That's usually when I upgrade a piece or two of hardware in the box too, so now I'm screwed if I use Vista? I'll stick with XP.

[fred dunn]

So I Can Upgrade Motherboards Once Free...

Then after that I'll have to buy a new copy of Vista, I don't think so.
When a PC Enthusiast upgrades their computer that can include the motherboard/BIOS which sounds like it would then trigger Vista into thinking it is being "Transferred" and use up it's one and only licensed transfer.
In the life of my systems I have upgraded motherboards, processors, drives, memory, video adapters,etc multiple times.
So what Microsoft is saying is that if you are a PC Enthusiast "Don't buy or use Vista".
Good Work Microsoft, you have just alienated the geeks that recommend (or not) and support (or not) your product.
I for one am not impressed enough with Vista to want it anyway so it won't affect me for a while.
Also my position as a Systems Analyst at a major Institution will allow me input into when and if the institution should move forward with Vista.
I do not see that happening anytime soon and if my input is shared with others responsible then Vista will be skipped altogether.

Microsoft has gone too far with an inferior resource gobbling chunk of bloatware code.

By the way, the program for Christmas where users buy their PC "Vista Ready" and then install it when Vista is released is going to be the costliest fiasco for the PC manufacturers to date.

[fourpastmidnight]

M$ Taking over the World...not me..It's Linux for me!

Well, chalk one up for another reason not to buy Vista. Who is M$ to decide on what computer for which I bought an operating system I can run it on. What if they don't come out with another version of Windows for another 7 years and I ugrade my computer twice?? I have to buy another license?? Yeah...right. How about I never buy another software license from M$ again. Linux, here I come full speed ahead. At least I don't have to put up with any of that crap.

Thanks M$ for making my decision even easier yet.

[czarOus]

Very Few people know what they are Saying!!! Read this.

Read this link which has been mentioned in the article by
"larryflowers" Titled CNET and Readers Are Both Wrong.
In this article He mentiones a link which I am mentioning here.
http://www.winsupersite.com/showcase/winvista_licensing.asp

Asking a question to all of you. How many of you have ever transfered a licence in AN APPLE MACHINE that holy grail of yours, calling MS badnames is simple but according to me the most closed and non userfriendly system in this world is THE MAC.
I laugh when people ( Mac Lovers Of Course ) celebrate the advent of first mlti button mouse which we have been using since eternity, coz MS is not closed.
I also laugh when MAC users are proudly declaring that ther systems are chic and fashionable Ask yourself. Thousands of MS Windows machines manufactured in various shapes and sizes specially VOODOO and Alienware and rest of them and Only one kind of look for all the mac machines.
Is Calvin Klien, Donna Karen, Gucci and others available to all and if they are not and their clothes are different than others and have that high fashionable value associated to them why are they so chic and fashionable so according to me VOODOO is fashionable and MAC's are not they are so hard to distinguish in a LAN Party that you have to write your name with a permanent marker coz all of them are alike.
Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha !!!!!!!

Try to understand what you say when you say I am going in for a MAC or Thats it for Microsoft.
I can guarentee no more than 15% of you can even tell what your hardware does..... and how to change it.

Again I say read the article " CNET may be the best but they are not GOD...
GOD has given a logic to us so preserve that.
I say sorry if I am offending anybody.

[jones_8099]

Read the EULA

First off you can transfer your OSX license to any number of
machines, legally you are only suppose to have it on one at a
time of course. I know you can transfer it because I've done it
before. OSX is not the end-all, be-all of computer OS but it is a
very good OS. As far as the multi button mouse, Mac users have
been using them for quite a while too. Sure Apple just came out
with there own only a few years ago but Apple users have been
buying other brands for a long time in fact at work I use a
Logitech mouse. Also I'm sorry if you don't like the Mac look
thats your opinion, I personally think they are the best looking
computers on the market (thats my opinion) And referring to
"LAN parties" you are only referring to groups of people that do
not make up the "average" computer user (your referring to
serious gamers, and hackers mostly). And I have read the EULA
for Vista and it makes me wonder if CNET is right, because it
sounds like they are. By the way here is the link to the Vista
EULA: http://www.microsoft.com/about/legal/useterms/
default.aspx

[cary1]

How about Norton Ghost?

I have tried Ghost before and it eliminates the hassles of reinstallation and reavtivation of Windows..

I am not sure if it will work with Vista and whether it works if you replace motherboard or hard drive

[Vegaman_Dan]

Norton 2003 / Ghost 10

Neither Norton 2003 or Ghost 10 can be installed or run under Vista currently. There will be new versions of this software I'm sure for consumers.

The NTFS file system that Vista uses *can* be ghosted using either application in an XP machine when that Vista disk is hooked up as a secondary drive.

So yes, Ghost 2003 / 10 can copy a drive and its licensing without issue. It's always a good idea to make backup images of your drive in case of system failure. If you replace a lot of hardware at the same time (gee, my HDD failed- this is a good time to replace the video card and system board too), then expect Vista to ask for reactivation since it will essentially be a new machine to it. Hardly unreasonable.

[Mmmhmm]

Would depend on how it keeps track of activation...

I'd suspect that if you've changed your hardware between the time you made the image to the time you reimaged the machine there's a chance it would
consider itself a 'new installation'. Even XP will complain if you change your hardware too much and ask to be reactivated (at least mine has once).

If number of activations is kept on MS' end with a registration server, then ghost won't help bypass this. As it is though, in theory if it's the same machine with hardware change, MS should allow reactivation as it is technically the same PC... I don't want to think of the outrage that would ensue if upgrading parts of your computer meant having to buy a new OS.

[lormahoykyd2007]

Not likely.

If I choose to install Vista on my current machine and then in a couple of years build a new one I won't pay for what i have already paid for once. Hacked copy here I come.

[zxocuteboy]

VISTA TRANSFERS WILL NOT AFFECT MOST PEOPLE

This will apparently only affect a very small number of people... Check out this report:

http://zxo.blogspot.com/2006/10/licensing-changes-to-windows-vista.html

[robert1275]

sorry but you are wrong

There are thousands of enthusiasts across the United States who upgrade their PCs every few months and I am one of them. I can tell you quite honestly that Microsoft has no RIGHT to tell me what components I can or can not upgrade on my PC. I will be more than happy to help start a class action lawsuit if they tell me otherwise.

[fred dunn]

Sure, if you're not a hardware enthusiast...

Else you will be spending time trying to convince M$ to give you another chance to use that OS you paid retail for.

[fred dunn]

If you buy retail then you build and upgrade..

So it WILL affect you.

[matt_parker]

Microsoft Is Sealing Its Own Inevitable Fate!

Microsoft will continue to see decreasing market share with their antiquated proprietary model. They are starting to use open source-implying titles such as their virtualization software (that looks like a piece of crap that will only support Windows instances anyway!). To the comment that this move to only allow one license transfer from machine-to-machine will not affect most people - GET A CLUE! What do you think having to reload your OS because your crappy Maxtor drive went bad will be considered as - try a machine-to-machine transfer! How would Vista possibly be able to notice the difference? Sure, there are plenty of "free" copies of XP loaded on PCs, but how far can their greed go? They are currently extremely profitable and will only alienate their paying customers. Couple that will their sure to be low penetration rate (even though, of course, they claim Vista will have 80% adoption rate - which is completely absurd, even if forced, because it requires a GB of RAM (base) and you will have to upgrade all of your Microsoft apps. PLEASE KEEP SHOOTING YOURSELF IN THE FOOT MICROSOFT! MORE PEOPLE WILL CONTINUE TO LOOK AT THE MOST ADVANCED OS IN THE WORLD - SOLARIS 10 6/06+ (and Linux - which requires recombiling everytime, but is adopting Sun's open source ZFS)!