Hate to say it but Windows 7 sucks in my experience

OEM licenses of Windows 7 are non-transferrable and tied to the motherboard that the system is activated on.

Retail licenses of Windows 7 can be transferred to a different computer: provided that the computer that was previously activated is decommissioned or no longer in service.

OEM versions typically cannot be used to directly upgrade from an older Windows operating system like their retail counterparts.

In cases of troubleshooting issues with activation or a disaster, you can contact Microsoft to activate by phone. In most cases, they will work with you in this regard. In matters of activation, there is some leeway given in the event of a breakdown or disaster recovery via phone support/activation. Windows Genuine Advantage (WGA) has gone a long way in helping customers get a copy of Windows and activating it in a legitimate and safe way.

For support reasons, you can extend the activation period for unlicensed copies of Windows up to 120 days from 30. You can do this by going to Start -> Search -> cmd.exe and running:

slmgr -rearm

Running this from the Windows Command Prompt (cmd) at the end of the 30 day trial period can be performed a maximum of 3 times in the event of a support or activation problem that is currently in dispute. It is also useful when running test/evaluation/demonstration copies of Windows in a virtual machine environment. Typically, the licensing is available but the system is destined to be formatted over and over for lab purposes.

slmgr /dlv will give you a detailed run-through of your activation status, including the maximum number of re-arms available if your system becomes unlicensed. This information is useful if you are on the phone with Microsoft Support personnel for activation.

I hope that this helps you understand the difference. Remember: Microsoft still holds the copyright and trademark IP for the software itself, and unless you already own a license for Microsoft Windows, it is not legal to download it from a site like Digital River. However, for backups or recovery purposes, it is wise to maintain (or in many cases obtain) a copy of Windows on backup.

One tip for someone like Andrea is to consider running Windows XP Mode or converting a Windows XP Mode system into a VMWare Workstation copy. These licensed copies can be used in a virtual machine environment with almost no limitation. Those who prefer Windows XP or need it for a legacy program like Lotus 1-2-3 will find this method very useful and unobtrusive.

But I am pretty sure that even if you do find a legal Windows 7,Windows XP or Windows Vista ISO file,you still have to have a product key to activate Windows. Or else it goes into restricted mode after 30 days.

True, but the product key is on the bottom of your netbooks on a so called COA sticker. Turn the netbooks around and have a look.

With that key you can activate an installation from any installation disc as long as it is the same system and edition level as the one you had. If e.g. you had a Windows7 Home Premium, you can use the key for any Home Premium, but NOT for e.g. an Ultimate edition. And, of course, it must be the same OS, e.g. Windows7 and not XP.

Another way to look @ it is:

Let's say you have to rebuild a machine w/ its disc & that machine was purchased before a SP release, it goes in w/out the SP & then, it gets brought up to 'present time' via Windows Updates, including whatever SP is, now, current.

OR

As a system Builder an OEM is used & that disc is old enough stock that it has missed a, now, current SP...again, after the OS is live, the Updates grab the, now, current SP & brings the OS up to date (cuse the pun). In other words, lack of the current SP being embedded in the disc will not impede the Key installing or Activation issues.

Cheers,
Drew

Jeez!! Page 37 and still going strong!!

Originally Posted by Mike

One tip for someone like Andrea is to consider running Windows XP Mode or converting a Windows XP Mode system into a VMWare Workstation copy. These licensed copies can be used in a virtual machine environment with almost no limitation. Those who prefer Windows XP or need it for a legacy program like Lotus 1-2-3 will find this method very useful and unobtrusive.

But I am very fortunate in that I have already got 2 Windows XP netbooks. So I have got the REAL Windows XP. The 2 netbooks came pre installed with Windows XP Home Edition when I bought the netbooks.So they are Windows XP computers.

Having Windows XP installed is better than running it in virtual machine.

I know that windows XP mode that you can download from the Microsoft website is a genuine copy of Windows XP. Is there any way to convert it into an ISO file,so that you can install it on your computer. To duel boot alongside Windows 7 like you can with Windows 8? Andrea Borman.

Hi Andrea,

XP-mode licensing?

Originally Posted by Mike

Hi Andrea,

XP-mode licensing?

I am confused. I thought that the Windows XP mode on the Microsoft website was the a copy of the Windows XP operating system.

So have I got it wrong again? Andrea Borman.

The copy is given away for free as a virtual machine image for compatibility reasons. The licensing has restrictions on its use. When you acquire Windows you receive a license to use it under the terms that are written down. So you are getting a license with XP Mode to use it a certain way. If you want to dual boot into Windows XP or use Windows XP outside of a virtual machine, you need a different license. An explanation for this is that when you buy most software or even a movie, you are receiving a license in how you use it. For instance, you cannot buy a movie and turn your house/apartment/loft into a giant movie theatre for a thousand people in your town. The same is true for most software and games. You have a license to use it under certain conditions. With XP Mode the OS is given away for free to use in a virtual environment as described in the link above.

Originally Posted by Mike

The copy is given away for free as a virtual machine image for compatibility reasons. The licensing has restrictions on its use. When you acquire Windows you receive a license to use it under the terms that are written down. So you are getting a license with XP Mode to use it a certain way. If you want to dual boot into Windows XP or use Windows XP outside of a virtual machine, you need a different license. An explanation for this is that when you buy most software or even a movie, you are receiving a license in how you use it. For instance, you cannot buy a movie and turn your house/apartment/loft into a giant movie theatre for a thousand people in your town. The same is true for most software and games. You have a license to use it under certain conditions. With XP Mode the OS is given away for free to use in a virtual environment as described in the link above.

Thank you,now I understand. So Windows XP mode is only for virtual machine.It cannot be installed as an operating system. Andrea Borman.

XP Mode IS a VM. Can never be a host OS. It's a vm that runs on Win7... W7 being the host machine.

W/ a virual software program, such as Windows VPC, any vm can be created & an OS installed on it from media. (could use XP Mode or use an XP disc or other OS disc.) The VMs are selectable & run on top of the host machine/OS, as if they were actual OSs & will use (share) the host hardware, resources, USBs, printer, Net connection, et al.

So, a virtual machine is an OS... just a virtual OS running on a host machine. I always hate trying to explain this one to ppl. A vm is an OS but, not a real, 'phsyical', just an imaginary OS... an OS pretending to be an OS, (teehee). Clear as mud, eh?

Drew