Preinstalled Windows: AARGH! I can't get it off!

Derek Atkins warlord at MIT.EDU
Tue Apr 30 11:00:54 EDT 2002


I think what this means is that you cannot mix-and-match.  If you
bought machine A with OS Y you cannot put that copy of OS Y on
machine B.  Y is tied to A for the life of machine A.

I don't think this means anything about removing windows to install
Linux.  You are _ALWAYS_ allowed to erase the disk.  In fact, M$
specifically gives you reasons when you _should_ "remove the Program".

-derek

"Jerry Feldman" <gaf at blu.org> writes:

> Does this mean that I can be arrested for putting Linux on my laptop. Will 
> they close the BLU down because of our installfests?
> 
> From The Register
> By John Lettice
> Posted: 30/04/2002 at 11:14 GMT
> 
> If a PC shipped with Windows preinstalled, can you remove the OS and 
> install Linux instead? Well, no, according to Microsoft. A somewhat obscure 
> Microsoft site aimed at helping schools deal with donated computers flatly 
> states: "It is a legal requirement that pre-installed operating systems 
> remain with a machine for the life of the machine."
> 
> http://www.theregister.co.uk/content/4/25085.html
> --
> Jerry Feldman <gaf at blu.org>
> Associate Director
> Boston Linux and Unix user group
> http://www.blu.org PGP key id:C5061EA9
> PGP Key fingerprint:053C 73EC 3AC1 5C44 3E14 9245 FB00 3ED5 C506 1EA9
> 
> _______________________________________________
> Discuss mailing list
> Discuss at blu.org
> http://www.blu.org/mailman/listinfo/discuss

-- 
       Derek Atkins, SB '93 MIT EE, SM '95 MIT Media Laboratory
       Member, MIT Student Information Processing Board  (SIPB)
       URL: http://web.mit.edu/warlord/    PP-ASEL-IA     N1NWH
       warlord at MIT.EDU                        PGP key available



More information about the Discuss mailing list