Windows Genuine Advantage kit

[SanDiegoPC]

I've got an IBM tower that a colleague is asking me to sell. The only reason I am even bothering with it is because it's a Pentium 4 computer & it had the OS disk with it. Or so I thought.

I have been looking at this packaging on the CD Rom and it says "Windows Genuine Advantage kit" on it. It's a blue package. The disk inside has the Microsoft logos and hologram on it, it's definitely genuine MS software.

But the question is, since this is the only software I have to sell this PC with, is it just a waste of time? I was going to advertise it on CraigsList as an IBM PC with XP Pro cd & License.

So what exactly IS this thing I got with the computer anyway? A google search just says that it' s an anti piracy tool, yet the CD looks like a Windows disk.

 

[rivan]

The WGA kits were/are offered to people who fail online validation.

It's legit (though I'm unsure about the xfer of the license).

 

[Ken g6]

Originally posted by: rivan
It's legit (though I'm unsure about the xfer of the license).

It looks like even lawyers aren't sure about the transfer of license.

If the license doesn't have any special conditions (and since you got the hardware, a hardware condition is probably OK), it shouldn't be a problem.

But I Am Not A Lawyer!

 

[SanDiegoPC]

Ahh, so it's not Windows on that CD then. Looks like this computer is going to be worth a whole lot less to resell than I originally thought. I'll tell the owner - thanks guys!

 

[corkyg]

WGA FAQs

WGA

 

[rivan]

Originally posted by: SanDiegoPC
Ahh, so it's not Windows on that CD then. Looks like this computer is going to be worth a whole lot less to resell than I originally thought. I'll tell the owner - thanks guys!

It IS Windows. It's a version of XP specifically sold to people to get legit; it can be installed/reinstalled directly from that disc.

 

[b4u]

Hi,

Sorry to interrupt, but this way I don't have to create a new topic

Recently a small company asked me for help about getting their software legit. From what I can tell, they have 3 computers, all with Windows XP Pro, and I was told they are not legit.

I knew about this Microsoft kit that helps take a non legit copy of windows xp into a legit copy, perfectly legal, so I'm gathering some info about it.

I have some questions about it:

1# If I by 3 of these kits, I have to run each one on each PC and everything will be legit, right?

2# Will it activate as a regular windows xp? I mean will it work through internet, or if not, I just phone a microsoft callcenter to get the activation done, right?

3# If I reformat the drive, does each kit came with a windows xp CD so I can install from scratch using what came from the kit? Or do I have to install a non-legit copy prior to applying the kit (this 2nd option seems ridiculous as I'm writing )

4# If I can install from scratch with the CD that came with the kit, can I still prepare an image on one computer and then mirror it to the other machines? (taking care that I must prepare them, so IDs and keys are applied for each machine)

5# So with this kit, I can tell them they will get a perfectly legit copy, trouble-free licensed windows machines?


Thanks.

 

[BigPoppa]

Answers to every question are pretty uniformly yes. Obviously on #4 need to prepare them properly, but other than that you'll be golden.

 

[b4u]

Originally posted by: BigPoppa
Answers to every question are pretty uniformly yes. Obviously on #4 need to prepare them properly, but other than that you'll be golden.

That's what I needed to know.

Thanks

 

[tcsenter]

Should have just purchased OEM system builder versions, they're the same price (if not cheaper):

XP Professional 1-pk - $140.00 shipped

XP Professional 3-pk - $390.00 shipped

You can find it for about $20 less per copy on Ebay.