Is it legal?

[TheMatrix]

I feel like running Win98 on my computer. Don't ask why.
[-]But I can't seem to find any "Certificate of Authenticity" anywhere.[/-] Scratch that. I found it on the side of our old HP Pavillion. But that one is in use for that computer. And I really don't feel like paying lots of money for something that's about 12 years old.

I did, however, find this (http://tinyurl.com/2gyqa9t), but I'm not sure whether or not it is legal.
I don't need any FBI agents knocking on my door.
I couldn't find anything on Microsoft, either.

Help?:confused:

[DethM4sh33n]

If you have bought the computer WITH the OS with it, than it is legal... I have actually bypassed win XP product key activator and nothing stopped me :D

[TheMatrix]

If you have bought the computer WITH the OS with it, than it is legal...

No, I mean that I'm trying to run Win98 on a different computer than that old clunker. Right now, that Win98 certificate is in use for running XP on that machine.
Seems strange, huh?

[touchstone23]

wow thats is all i can say is wow

[TheMatrix]

wow thats is all i can say is wow

why?

[ShatteredWings]

Im' not sure if you can, but can't you copy the OS onto a large stickdrive and use that to install it?

[Zero Beat]

No it's not illegal. With buying the computer you also brought a copy of Win. And seeing how they don't stop you from installing it on multiply computers it's no problem.

[Ender]

Question;
can't you just use the classic theme on win xp?

[TheMatrix]

Im' not sure if you can, but can't you copy the OS onto a large stickdrive and use that to install it?

What does it matter? I even saw it on one page on Microsoft:
"The stuff on the disc is just data; you need a key to be able to use it."

Besides, Zero Beat already said that you are allowed to install it on multiple computers.

Thanks, ppl.

[Commander Thor]

No, I mean that I'm trying to run Win98 on a different computer than that old clunker. Right now, that Win98 certificate is in use for running XP on that machine.
Seems strange, huh?

The Win98 Certificate is NOT in use for running XP on that machine. The certificate was orignally used for running 98 on that machine, but it was no longer in use when XP was installed. Therefore, you can install 98 using the same key/certificate on a different machine.
Besides, I believe the license for Windows keys allows 3 separate parallel installations.
So to re-enforce what has already been said. Yes, it should be perfectly legal.

[TheMatrix]

The Win98 Certificate is NOT in use for running XP on that machine. The certificate was orignally used for running 98 on that machine, but it was no longer in use when XP was installed. Therefore, you can install 98 using the same key/certificate on a different machine.
Besides, I believe the license for Windows keys allows 3 separate parallel installations.
So to re-enforce what has already been said. Yes, it should be perfectly legal.
YES!!! THANK YOU!!! That's good to hear. Could you also include a Microsoft web site so I can prove that to my dad? He seems to think that you can only use one Certificate per machine.

Question;
can't you just use the classic theme on win xp?
No. What I'm trying to do is run some good ole' DOS games. Besides, it should run faster on my fast machine than XP. XP is just a bunch of crap. Waaaaaay too slow. 98 seems better. Or, maybe I'll just run 2000, Me, or NT, or something like that.

[Commander Thor]

YES!!! THANK YOU!!! That's good to hear. Could you also include a Microsoft web site so I can prove that to my dad? He seems to think that you can only use one Certificate per machine.

Actually, I lied.
And I quote from the Windows 98 EULA:
The SOFTWARE PRODUCT may not be installed, accessed, displayed, run, shared or used concurrently on or from different computers, including a workstation, terminal or other digital electronic device ("Devices") .
So 1 key can be used to install Windows 98 on 1 computer. If that computer no longer has Windows 98, 98 may be installed on another computer.
If Windows 98 is no longer installed on any machine (With the same product key), you /can/ install it again on a different machine.

I couldn't find anything on the Microsoft website. But you can read the same EULA on the Windows 98 installation disk.

Edit: And I see you're talking about the Certificate of Authenticity. The CoA means diddly squat when it comes to which computer it can be installed on. All the CoA is there for, is to let you know that it's a valid copy of Windows. The Product key (Which is usually printed on the CoA) is the thing you need to pay attention to. If you've used the product key on a machine, it's only valid for that single machine, no other machine. For as long as whatever that key is for is installed on that machine. Once the product attached to the key is removed from the machine, the key is free to be used on another machine.

[TheMatrix]

Does it also matter if we upgraded that old machine somewhere in 2003 from 98 to XP?
I can't remember, but maybe we needed both CoA's? There [-]was[/-] is a new CoA on the XP box as well. I think that it's possible that the Win98 CoA was necessary, and therefore is rendered unusable on other machines.

Please, Bill Gates, if you're out there reading this, could you please answer this somehow?????????

[Commander Thor]

Does it also matter if we upgraded that old machine somewhere in 2003 from 98 to XP?
I can't remember, but maybe we needed both CoA's? There [-]was[/-] is a new CoA on the XP box as well. I think that it's possible that the Win98 CoA was necessary, and therefore is rendered unusable on other machines.

If Windows 98 is no longer installed on any machine, that frees up the license, and allows it to be installed on any machine of your choice. That is what the End User License Agreement states.
So long as you do not have 2 copies of Windows 98 with the same license, you are not breaking the EULA. (Which means no legal action will be taken against you)
It does not matter where the Certificate of Authenticity is. It can be on the original machine, it can be on the retail case, hell, it could be stuck to your ceiling fan. It doesn't matter. All the CoA states is that you have an official copy of Windows. The CoA is there to let you know that you didn't buy a non-official copy (Such as a pirated version, or a version laced with viruses).

[TheMatrix]

Thanks.

Alright, this is done.
----
I've seen the mods do this:
:locked:
let's see if it works...

Edit: Nope: It doesn't.... Darn...

[Suicune]

Thanks.

Alright, this is done.
----
I've seen the mods do this:
:locked:
let's see if it works...

Edit: Nope: It doesn't.... Darn...

You may request a lock if you want to, a mod will lock it for you.

[TheMatrix]

You may request a lock if you want to, a mod will lock it for you.

Naaaaaaaaaah.......
Too lazy. :tv:
They'll lock it eventually.