Hey! Call the cops on my son!

[porkinator]

Well not quite, but here are a couple of brain burps from my Dad.

How about this illegal copy?

So my dad was having probs with his PC and I offered to do a complete reinstall of Windows XP with a 'copied' disc an old neighbour once did for me.

The disc didn't work completely, it uninstalled Windows, but didn't reinstall it, so I told them to take it to PC World to sort it out.

So the old man takes the PC up there and says his PC didn't work and that "My son tried to reinstall windows using this" and produces the disc.

The guy apparently just said "I'll pretend I didn't see that, it's highly illegal"

Nice one Dad.

That Much!! I'll just download it

A few years back my old man bought a new PC and needed MS Office, so off he went to PC World.

He asked how much a copy was and when told he said "That Much! I'll just get my son to download it again"

Needless to say, he hasn't much of a knowledge of computers.

[nomorecarts]

actually, the windows disks are the all exactly the same, it's the code that unlocks certain features and leaves others locked that you're paying for

at least that what the guy at the computer store told me when I broke my laptop

[lordlundar]

Needless to say, he hasn't much of a knowledge of computers.

Or for knowing when to keep his mouth shut from the sounds of it.

[Jay 2K Winger]

That Much!! I'll just download it

A few years back my old man bought a new PC and needed MS Office, so off he went to PC World.

He asked how much a copy was and when told he said "That Much! I'll just get my son to download it again"

Needless to say, he hasn't much of a knowledge of computers.

The high cost of MS Office is exactly why I use OpenOffice. It has almost all the same features as MS Office, and it's FREE.

[Kaylyn]

actually, the windows disks are the all exactly the same, it's the code that unlocks certain features and leaves others locked that you're paying for

Hell, the computer store I go to sold me a burned copy of Vista disk for $15! I customized a friend's computer but shortly afterwards the motherboard got fried...had to replace that, and then the preinstalled Vista (and backup discs!) didn't like the change in system configuration. Had to format and use a fresh Vista install which had the added bonus of getting rid of all the preinstalled HP garbage. I just used the key that originally came with the computer and everything was fine.

[wagegoth]

If you are a student or have kids in school, you can get the student discount on Office and other MS products. It will save you a bundle. I can also purchase software at a discount through my company. We can purchase directly from Microsoft using a special login.

[Aethian]

59.99 for my copy of microsoft works.

[Pedersen]

actually, the windows disks are the all exactly the same, it's the code that unlocks certain features and leaves others locked that you're paying for

Actually, at least for XP (not sure about Vista), no, they're not all the same. They should be, but they're not.

You've got at least the following versions of XP available: Home, Professional, and x64. Home specifically removes the networking options (domain logins and the like) that are available for Professional. x64 is actually built from Windows Server 2003, which is a very different code base from XP.

After that, though, you've got OEM, Retail, and Corporate licensing. The keys for each are not compatible with the other install disks. Retail keys won't work with OEM disks, and OEM keys won't work with Corporate disks.

All of that, though, ignores that you have (as possible installations) Windows XP, Windows XP Service Pack 1, Windows XP Service Pack 1a, and Windows XP Service Pack 2, each of which brings their own set of functionalities to the table, and all of which have different content on the installation CD.

And all of that ignores the possible differences when you get into OEM/Regional language packs. Ye gods, that was frustrating until I figured out those are not actually install disks.

Anyway, I wish they were all the same. Life would be easier. But they're not. And mistaking them for identical has hosed many a system.

[Bliss]

actually, the windows disks are the all exactly the same, it's the code that unlocks certain features and leaves others locked that you're paying for

at least that what the guy at the computer store told me when I broke my laptop

As someone else said, not exactly the same between versions.... but if you have a license for a version of windows, it's perfectly ok to have (and use) a burned cd of that version to install, as told to me by a Microsoft representative.

[DGoddessChardonnay]

59.99 for my copy of microsoft works.

I recall buying a copy of MS Works about 10 years ago when I had my Packard Hell.

$39.99 through B&N online and that was version 4.5.

But then I'm still using Works Suite 2001 that came with the Gateway desktop from 8 years ago - it's got the key code and still works fine for me.

[PepperElf]

well if you want a free copy of MS Word.... i'll give you the legal way to do it...

Open Office
It's not my favorite but it does work and it's legally free.


as for other means... this is why i don't throw away any of my XP cds. Even tho i'm on a mac, i still have a copy of XP for dell and one for HP lying around somewhere. not to mention my copy of corporate-edition norton (that one's actually legal) and Paperclips (office 2000, no keycode required...heh)