my brother recently bought a computer from compaq and recieved a free upgrade disk for vista ultimate because of certain things he put on his computer when he built it. I was wondering if he installs it on his computer, could i use the same disk LEGALLY and install it on my own. OR If he doesnt put it on his, could i put it on mine.
2007-02-21 12:53:56 · 4 answers · asked by bmscwright 1 in Computers & Internet ➔ Software
Technically, no, he can't put it on yours. One of two things could happen:
Since you are allowed to transfer a Vista license ONCE you may be able to get away with it. But, you are also not allowed to share the license with two computers (technically speaking) but you MIGHT be able to get away with it, sometimes you can and sometimes you can't.
If you DO get away with it great... if you don't here's that one of two things...
One, it works fine but you will not be able to install it on another computer...
Two, it works and validates yours but may invalidate your brothers license...
2007-02-21 12:58:03 · answer #1 · answered by conradj213 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
No,. you can't legally use the same disc. If he doesn't use it on his computer, then you could use it on yours. Microsoft wouldn't like it but I'm not sure if you breaking any laws?
If you buy Windows Vista and later sell your computer at a garage sale, as long as only 1 person is using that Vista license nothing illegal is going on so I don't see a problem.
You might not be able to use that disc on a non-compaq comp tho.
2007-02-21 21:02:17 · answer #2 · answered by Neuromancer 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You definitely can't install it on two computers. Each copy of Vista has its own unique code. When you install it, it has to connect to the microsoft server to authenticate. If that code has already been used, then it won't authenticate. This means that after 30 days it will delete your desktop icons and start menu and not allow you to do anything but connect to the microsoft web page and purchase a legal copy. It will also shut your computer down after one hour.
2007-02-21 20:59:22 · answer #3 · answered by Rose D 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
if it has to be registerd like xp then no but if the install doesnt need to be registered with microsoft then you should be ok i wouldnt do it due to the unknown fact that if it does have the anti pirate feture that xp has then your up sh!t creek with out a paddle and you would need to reinstall your previous os and possibly loose your data on your drive
2007-02-21 20:58:51 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋