Korean Job Discussion Forums

[poet13]

Hey all.
This might be a dumb question, but I'm going to ask it anyways.
Bought a new computer here cause my old Dell Inspiron 8200 committed suicide.
The software that they included here is just a copy of microsoft XP. Yup, LG sold me a ripped-off OS. (part of the package)
When I tried to authenticate it online, I couln't. It said a copy of this was already in use. I also can't get updates for a bunch of the software.
Having all kinds of problems with my ripped off copy.
I want to install my old OS, MS XP PRO.
It's the original OS that came with my laptop. I have all of the cds, all eight of them or so.....like WIN DVD and stuff.
The laptop was autheniticated, so that computer and that software are registered.

Question.

1. Can I install that software on my new computer....AND authenticate it?
Or, will it report back that there is a copy in use (my laptop) even though it's not online anymore?

Anyone?

[the_beaver]

[jwwest2]

It's not the authenticating that will be the problem... if you can get it installed on your new computer, then you'll be able to authenticate with no problem. They let you do it something like 10 times. You can even do it more than that, but you'll have to call Microsoft each time and tell them why.

The problem will be installing it. The CDs from your old computer, are they Dell CDs or is one of them clearly a Microsoft CD? If you don't have a Microsoft CD, then your Dell CDs may not let you install them on anything but a Dell Inspiron 8100 series. Definately give it a try though.

If it doesn't work... don't freak out... there are tons of other options. Some of them less desirable and some of them less... legal... but there are options.

Let me know how it goes, we'll get you squared away if it doesn't work.

[poet13]

jwwest2...
Yup, just checked. It's a Dell CD. Says, "For distribution only with a new Dell computer." I have a XPION (LG).

I will try it in the next day or so. Doing some school stuff right now.
I was going to do it on the weekend, but decided not to in case there my computer guy here was on holiday...

I really don't want to use something illegal as I plan to use this computer for a long time to come. I plan to go to Canada this summer, so I might stop in a store there and buy a new OS. Gawwwd I hate Microsoft.

Thanks, I'll let you know what happens...

[jwwest2]

Understood about the legality... don't blame you.

I'm thinking the CD won't work, but stranger things have happened. IF it doesn't, you could do a linux install... keep you going until you can buy windows again. I know a few versions of linux that are very easy to use, be a lot like using a Mac. It'd also be completely legal and free.

[Demophobe]

I traveled this road with my laptop once. Well, not I, but a friend and I bought the exact same laptop at the same time. He wanted to use English Windows, so he formatted and later found out that the only drivers that will install on the machine were the ones from the Samsung CD included. The new OS installed fine, but afterwards, no (video, sound, LAN, etc) drivers would install. Attempting to install the drivers independent of the OS on the CD had no luck.

Now, this was a while ago, and these days, hardware isn't so specialized for laptops, so it may well be irrelevant. I'm not saying laptop hardware is the same as it's desktop siblings, but updating drivers for laptop hardware is much more friendly today than it ever was before. This fact probably makes my previous story meaningless.

So, to answer question #1, if you have a CD from the laptop manufacturer, then you have nothing to lose trying. If it fails, you have a goto.

As for #2, if the OS you are installing is legit, you should have no worries. Installing and authenticating WinXP, as was mentioned, can be done on a completely different computer a number of times. (XP validates on hardware ID numbers) On a computer with no hardware changes, one can authenticate infinitely (well, you know) as I have re-installed XP on my current granddaddy rig many, many, many times.

[jwwest2]

Demophobe -

You're absolutely correct about driver problems with laptops when not installing from a manufacturer's disk. The worst case scenario I've run into though is I get a really crappy image on my LCD until I find an appropriate replacement driver. You can usually come by these fairly easily either from your Laptop manufacturer or the hardware manufacturer. If not, there are tons of generics floating around out there.

Poet -

Are you installing to a new desktop or laptop? If it is a desktop, then this problem shouldn't surface when doing a new install. Desktops tend to be much more user friendly. If you're installing to a laptop, it might get a little more complicated... did the new PC come with any CDs at all? If it did... then you may have to use those to get all your hardware working correctly.

Hopefully we aren't overwhelming you with information!!!

[Gatsby]

Have you ever tried doing a search for OEM software, such as OEM Microsoft Word, or Works, or Windows? An interesting thing happens; there is all this software intended for packaging with new computers you buy for cheap, much cheaper than the regular retail disks packed in cardboard boxes.

Well, last time I did a search for OEM windows, more than a year ago, I recall seeing that there were a bunch of OEM Windows disks available that were labeled for Dell, Inspirons, I think. The seller promised that despite this they would work with any computer. I don't recall whether it was Windows 2000 or Windows XP. So some of the Windows OEM packs are actually generic.

However, one website says the catch is that if you need tech support for problems, Microsoft won't help cause you are supposed to go to Dell, or whomever. Don't recall that Microsoft was of much help with any of problems, anyhow.

I ended up getting a Windows 2000 disk for $60 cause it can be reinstalled on different computers and is almost the same as XP, but works with older computers. It was a genuine Windows disk in a sleeve, but it looked like it had been taken out cause it was a bit scuffed up. It worked fine and had a legit serial number. That deal appears to have disappeared, though.

Now with XP, you can have a legit serial number, but as I understand it, if it has been registered with a completely different computer, Microsoft won't let you recycle it.

You might consider getting a new XP OEM disk. But frankly, sometimes it is cheaper to buy a cheap new desktop with Windows thrown in than to buy a retail copy of Windows, when you add up what you get. You might move some of your hardware over to the new computer, such as the sound card, etc.

The biggest bargain around is Microsoft Works Suite OEM. You get a lot of stuff, including Word, which normally costs about $100, and Encarta, and Streets and Trips, etc., for about $60. If you can find someone selling a version that is a year or two old, you might even find it for $30.

Say, I wonder if we would qualify for the Microsoft Office academic pack discount?

[jwwest2]

OEM disks are different than the disks sent with most major brand computers. Dell and HP in particular usually encode the disks so that it senses the type of system you are using before it lets you install. When the program figures out you're not installing on a Dell, then it kicks you out.

This is a fairly recent development... within the past few years I think. They used to distribute the original OEM disk that was truly just a plain jane copy of windows... now it comes with all kinds of manufacturer software and loads of other crap software! I wish they just gave out the old OEM disks... but they don't want to do that anymore. Heck, they don't even want to give out disks anymore... they make you burn your own!

Technically, the cheap OEM disks you are getting are "illegal." Even though it's more legit than pirated software, you are still breaking the licensing agreements by using a second-hand copy of Windows, OEM or not. It's also much harder to mess with second-hand copies of windows xp because of the online activation process you referred to... gone are the days of just typing in a code and installing... now it verifies with Microsoft... even if you are doing a legit reinstall you can still end up having to call Microsoft to get their permission if you've done it too many times. Although... there are ways around this...

Oh... and not that Dell or Microsoft tech support is worth it... but if the software is secondhand, you're not getting support from either one!

Now, you can buy legit OEM software, but you have to buy it with qualifying hardware... it usually is a little cheaper than a retail copy of Windows... which is great if you're building your own rig. Not sure how that works in Korea...


As far as Works OEM goes... my god, don't waste your money!!! Yes, you do get Microsoft Word... but is it really worth it? If you are not so Microsoft minded... take a look at openoffice.org. You'll find a completely free - and legal - office suite substitute. You get software to replace Word, Excel, PowerPoint... all the major players and more. It is completely compatible with most Office Suites too... gone are the days of not being able to read a WordPerfect, Works, or whatever else kind of file!


Oh, and we don't qualify for the Academic editions... not the US versions anyway... you have to work for a US institution or live in the US to qualify. I'm not sure about the Korean versions... but why would you want it in Hangul anyway?

[gsxr750r]

I encourage you to contact Microsoft about your situation. It won't hurt you, and it could end up doing some good:

http://www.microsoft.com/piracy/Reporting.mspx

[jwwest2]

Good point... never thought about that. Guess I don't like doing Bill any favors... :-p

Definately can't hurt though.

[jazblanc77]

[jwwest2]

Also a good point... I just meant that it wouldn't hurt you to report it to Microsoft. Thanks to jazblanc77 for pointing out that it could possibly hurt someone else.

It's totally up to you though Poet... I mean, regardless of if the salesperson was being kind or not, I'm assuming you didn't ask for pirated software! In fact, had you known that's what you were getting, I'm also assuming you would have taken your money elsewhere... or at least bought a different PC with a legal copy of Windows... even if you had to settle on a copy in Hangul.

I really don't know all that much about the action Microsoft takes regarding pirated software in Korea. I just know that there are loads of it here and in America and they'll have a hard time prosecuting every case. I've even been sold PCs with pirated Windows in the US! That being said... I also wouldn't put it past them to sink their teeth into the little guy when they see an easy opportunity.

Anyway... if it were me, I probably wouldn't tell Microsoft... "let he who is blameless cast the first stone." For someone that believes pirated software is wrong and wants to do their part in stamping it out across the globe... go ahead and tell Microsoft.

[Demophobe]