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View Full Version : Licensing 2nd Hand Software


mashman
11th May 2009, 13:29
Hey all,

after all these years of pissing about on PC's i've never had this scenario and can't find any concrete answers. I've got a copy of Vista Ultimate, bought and paid for by me, fresh from the box etc... I've just popped on Windows7 and am going to sell my copies Vista (32 and 64 bit).

I have activated the product key:

Will a new owner have problems installing and using the software?

Will the new owner just have to call MS and get a new product key (will they have to pay for it, or just get a new one)?

Thanks for any help

Mash
Slyer
11th May 2009, 13:31
Did you buy vista ultimate in a retail box?
Hahaha! You sucker!
mashman
11th May 2009, 13:50
Did you buy vista ultimate in a retail box?
Hahaha! You sucker!

Seemed like a good idea at the time :crybaby:, but i did get a rather good discount at the time...
Slyer
11th May 2009, 13:57
Because it's a retail copy you're allowed to sell it I believe, if they have any problems activating they just need to lie to the operator and tell them they are reinstalling on the same computer.
mashman
11th May 2009, 14:08
Because it's a retail copy you're allowed to sell it I believe, if they have any problems activating they just need to lie to the operator and tell them they are reinstalling on the same computer.

Cheers Sly... I knew I could resell it, just wasn't sure of the best way to get around the re-activation shite... Tardme here i come...
disenfranchised
11th May 2009, 14:22
I've had similar issues just with reinstalling on different machines.

If you call Microsoft and have all the legit product keys and request keys etc, then they'll tell you the activation key over the phone.

I think their systems only allow for a couple of registered installations per product key for automatic activation though.
They once aked me to identify the name and details from a previous registration, so that they could mark it as deactivated.

Maybe selling it with your registration details written down, or calling MSoft first to register it as deactivated would be better?
Slyer
11th May 2009, 15:29
I've using the same XP home key on what... 5 different computers right now?
Gremlin
11th May 2009, 20:52
If there is an issue with activation, MS will usually give you another key, obviously, if they are satisfied you owned the previous one legit. Had a few keys straight out of boxes not work for clients, and just have to ring them up.
mashman
11th May 2009, 21:11
If there is an issue with activation, MS will usually give you another key, obviously, if they are satisfied you owned the previous one legit. Had a few keys straight out of boxes not work for clients, and just have to ring them up.

That's the thing, there may not be an issue, but always handy to pass on the correct info to whoever buys it, just in case.

Thanks for the heads up all :2thumbsup