Why would you start a thread in the Geek's Lounge and then say this? I mean what's the point of starting a thread if you don't want other peoples' opinions?

Question #2.
I have a file missing on my windows setup an my windows OS CD is 50 miles away, can I legally borrow someone's CD and copy that file to my OS?
I need to do a install/repair but I do not have my OS CD with me, can I borrow someone's Cd to do a repair to my OS?
I need to make a new OS CD as mine has been damaged, can I use someone's CD to make a new one?
Can I use a friends OS CD to do anything?

Question #2.
Duplicate posting

Hi,
As I said, I am after fact not opinion, therefore if you think it is or is not legal has no bearing on the subject. If you know that it is legal or illegal then it is very relevant.

"Please Mr. policeman, I was only doing twice the speed limit because Vernon thought it was legal to do it here."

I was only selling copies of windows 9 because I was told they thought that it was legal for me to make copies and sell them."

Yes. They are two entirely different things. You dont buy a copy of some software, you buy a license to use it as per those terms. With a printer, you do buy the actual thing.

Exactly like with Satellite TV. You sign a contract (analgous to an EULA) which allows you to use thier service as per that agreement. You do not own the box they provide you with nor the services it provides, just the rights to use it as per the agreement. Exactly the same as with software.

Hi jbennet,
Thank you for your reply, not only did you answer my question you explained it.
Can you do the same to my question about OS CD's, I have searched but I can not find the information about what I can or can not do with a Windows OS CD/DVD.

I have been doing a lot of searching and this is the best I can find…..
This is not an official answer but a legal opinion in the site:-

"Resources for IT Professionals > Forums Home > Microsoft Genuine Advantage Forums > Windows XP Genuine Advantage Validation Issues (Windows XP) > Using media at hand"
http://social.microsoft.com/Forums/e...-744aef91c8a0/

"If the computer in question has a legal license to use a particular version of the operating system, then it is perfectly legitimate to use any installation disc for that version of the OS to do the reinstall. So if your computer has a COA for XP Home, you can legally use any XP home CD. If it has a license for Windows 98, you can legally use any Windows 98 CD. After all, it is the COA on the computer's case that gives one the right to use the software, not the CD. The CD is simply a tool that allows one to exercise their right to use the licensed software."
(Copied from a posting by B. Cohen)

"The simplest means that I found to get the right CD was an online chat with a Dell rep. I would have used any of the other options I mentioned (locate my original installation CD, or get a replacement from Dell, or find someone with the right version--and use my key in each case) to get the system going since the license is valid."
(Copied from a posting from Alfman1951)

If you have purchased a version of Windows, if you then use a different, even stolen version of Windows but can prove that you purchased it previously. . it is still illegal, but highly unlikely that you would ever be prosecuted for it. The same as if you bought a CD before, lost it, still had the receipt, then downloaded the entire thing off the internet.

Hi,
Thank you for that answer, I should have made it clearer earlier I want to know so that I can advise posters here what they can and can not do in regard to a lost/damaged OS CD. I don't want to be giving information that is against the EULA.

I have read and re-read EULA and as I understand, I can do just about anything I want with the Windows XP CD except copy it. (EULA 1.5) but I can not find any information anywhere to confirm this.
Logic states that if I buy a license for Windows XP Pro, I hold that license to use the software, not a license on the use the CD, until I decide to dispose of it. The Operating System Compact Disc is just hardware, a tool to load the licensed software and not subject to the EULA. But then EULA goes on to state that I can not copy that disc expect.... (You may also store or install a copy of the Software on a storage device, such as a network server, used only to install or run the Software on your other Workstation Computers over an internal network )
As the EULA states that I can install the program on another PC if I purchase another license (you must acquire and dedicate an additional license for each separate Workstation Computer on or from which the Software is installed), I assume that if a license is already held, that is a copy of the software was legally installed, registered and now not running on a PC, a re-installation from any installation CD would be legal.

EULA
1.1 Installation and use. You may install, use, access, display and run one copy of the Software on a single computer, such as a workstation, terminal or other device ("Workstation Computer"). The Software may not be used by more than one processor at any one time on any single Workstation Computer.

1.5 Storage/Network Use. You may also store or install a copy of the Software on a storage device, such as a network server, used only to install or run the Software on your other Workstation Computers over an internal network; however, you must acquire and dedicate an additional license for each separate Workstation Computer on or from which the Software is installed, used, accessed, displayed or run. Except as otherwise permitted by the NetMeeting and Remote Assistance features described above, a license for the Software may not be shared or used concurrently on different Workstation Computers.