MIcrosoft and Operating Systems B A H !
I got this reply when I queried the fact that I can not move my legal OS to another PC.
I had a rant about this before. The reply is humbug and typical MS.
Any comments.?
Hi, Ian,
Q. Can my customers transfer or sell their OEM software licenses?
A. After an OEM software license has been installed on a PC, the license may not be installed on or transferred to another PC. However, the entire PC may be transferred to another end user along with the software license rights. When transferring the PC to the new end user, the software media, manuals (if applicable), and Certificate of Authenticity label must be included. It is also advisable to include the original purchase invoice or receipt. The original end user cannot keep any copies of the software.
Q. My customer bought a new PC and wants to move the OEM software from the old PC to the new one. Can't users do whatever they want with their software?
A. The OEM software is licensed with the computer system on which it was originally installed and is tied to that original machine. OEM licenses are single-use licenses that cannot be installed on more than one computer system, even if the original machine is no longer in use. The End User Software License Terms, which the end user must accept before using the software, states that the license may not be shared, transferred to, or used concurrently on different computers. System builders must provide end-user support for the Windows license on computers they build, but cannot support licenses on computers they didn’t build. This is a fundamental reason why OEM System Builder licenses can't be transferred.
Q. If my customer asks me to upgrade a PC with new hardware components, when is a new operating system needed? When would the PC be considered "new"?
A. Generally, an end user can upgrade or replace all of the hardware components on a computer—except the motherboard—and still retain the license for the original Microsoft OEM operating system software. If the motherboard is upgraded or replaced for reasons other than a defect, then a new computer has been created. Microsoft OEM operating system software cannot be transferred to the new computer, and the license of new operating system software is required.
If the motherboard is replaced because it is defective, you do not need to acquire a new operating system license for the PC as long as the replacement motherboard is the same make/model or the same manufacturer's replacement/equivalent, as defined by the manufacturer's warranty.
http://www.microsoft.com/oem/en/licensing/sblicensing/pages/licensing_faq.aspx
You might try contacting Microsoft regarding the issue and see if a new license can be issued for the product.
http://support.microsoft.com/contactus/cu_sc_prodact_master?ws=oas#tab4
Ha ha - some hope!
10 Answers
Microsoft isn't the only company that does this. I couldn't install Mac OSX from on one of my daughter's MacBook's using the OS discs from my other daughter's MacBook, even though I had bought both machines and both sets of operating systems. I had to use the discs that came with that exact machine. This is just standard practice, and for very good reason. If they didn't protect themselves this way they would sell a total of one copy of their software. Sad to say, but true.
If you want a good, free operating system get Ubuntu Linux. I've used it for years, in addition to Windows and OSX.
You got my vote.
I don't think it's any exaggeration to say that Microsoft wants your money more than you want their OS.
Edit:
After reviewing the text some more, it occurs to me that we don't own the software in the case the OEM operating systems, according to Micro$oft. The hardware owns the operating system.
Kinda makes you wish you owned a big software company eh? 
Mac Os X used to be like that till version 10.6. You couldn't install the operating system on a macbook if the installation CD came with an iMac and vice versa. However, their policy was not so strict, as you could install the OS to a computer of the same type, say from an iMac to another iMac of the same generation. After the release of Mac OS X 10.7 aka Lion, which was released a month ago, the whole story has changed. You download the OS from the Appstore and you can install it to up to 5 computers that carry the same apple ID in the Appstore without having to pay any additional fee apart from the initial purchase.
It is possible to buy the Windows 7 OS in the local market here for about $5 - even an English language one. 
Up yours MS jeje.
Vista was terrible and a "class action" should have been taken out against MS for selling a product "not fit for purpose"
When it comes to Micro$oft I've dreamed of saying,
"Long Live Piracy
Ha ha - some hope!
If it isn't that necessary for you to use this particular operating system, you can make a change and buy a Mac.
We own 2 MacBooks and an iMac; we have installed Mac OS in our three machines having one license (legal of course), and it costs $30.
I hope you all noticed how MS allow / permit you to give away ( transfer ) your own property !!
However, the entire PC may be transferred to another end user along with the software license rights. When transferring the PC to the new end user, the software media, manuals (if applicable), and Certificate of Authenticity label must be included. It is also advisable to include the original purchase invoice or receipt. The original end user cannot keep any copies of the software.
The arrogance is astounding. MS even tell you "how" to do it.
Voting!
So lame! :-(
