Re: [ubuntu-uk] Dad's Computer - for want of a better subject
On 22/06/11 19:55, Avi wrote: alan c wrote: If any of my family, or friends want my support for their PCs, it *only* comes if they are using Ubuntu, no way for Windows. Although if they use Windows, that is their choice. Heh. I started not even trying to fix systems I wasn't familiar with a while ago in search of the quiet life. Now they're all ruddy running *buntus. So that plan failed. :( ROFL -- alan cocks Ubuntu user -- ubuntu-uk@lists.ubuntu.com https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-uk https://wiki.ubuntu.com/UKTeam/
Re: [ubuntu-uk] Dad's Computer - for want of a better subject
On 22/06/11 19:47, Barry Titterton wrote: On Wed, 2011-06-22 at 11:52 +0100, alan c wrote: On 22/06/11 09:14, Jon Reynolds wrote: Either way, I wish my Dad would just let me put Ubuntu on there and Do you intend to support his use of non free software when you obviously feel strongly about it? If any of my family, or friends want my support for their PCs, it *only* comes if they are using Ubuntu, no way for Windows. Although if they use Windows, that is their choice. My own life is too short to spend time supporting something I dislike for many reasons. [...] I help local Windows users but try to get in a comment like you wouldn't have had this problem with Ubuntu. I see it as a form of evangelism. There is one women whose machine got borked by a virus, who is now considering giving Ubuntu a try. Barry T That is good if you do have the time, it is just that Windows stuff can take an enormous time and effort. I do support your view to make relationships and for people to gain confidence in you. However, I am pretty busy supporting friends who are now using Ubuntu so time spent on Windows support without a high chance of conversion is a no no. Also, when taking a broader view, people will take an easy route. Why not just continue to use (Windows) something when the free support just keeps coming? That supporting Windows takes ten times the effort of supporting Ubuntu is not something they would care about. I used to run a free facility for a local age concern. Volunteers helping others. Very successful, and over three years literally thousands of sessions. I then discovered (Ubuntu). But people only wanted Windows. It was all that their friends and family used. How to make Ubuntu more available? I had to decide. I decided to leave them to their chosen fate, in the hands of others, and only to continue to support the alternative, Ubuntu, which was in my view more valuable in changing the available ecosystem. -- alan cocks Ubuntu user -- ubuntu-uk@lists.ubuntu.com https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-uk https://wiki.ubuntu.com/UKTeam/
Re: [ubuntu-uk] Dad's Computer - for want of a better subject
On 22/06/2011 18:07, Rob Beard wrote: This is a blog post about what Microsoft class as the machine nowadays... 4.1 We grant you a nonexclusive right to distribute an individual software license only with a fully assembled computer system. A fully assembled computer system means a computer system consisting of at least a central processing unit, a motherboard, a hard drive, a power supply, and a case. You will notice the loophole that people have been exploiting (the former language which stated that an OEM desktop Operating System license could be sold with non-peripheral hardware,) is no longer in place. It is now very simple and straightforward: an OEM license must be sold only with a fully assembled computer system. Loophole closed. http://blogs.msdn.com/b/mssmallbiz/archive/2005/09/07/461950.aspx Seems pretty strict, last I heard it was tied to the motherboard and case. This is a huge grey area that MS consistently refuses to clarify. In the first instance, the End User Licence Agreement (EULA) that the End User agrees to makes NO MENTION of the OEM version of Windows being tied to the motherboard. The agreement which DOES say this is the OEM builder's Licence Agreement, which of course the End User does NOT see and does NOT agree to. In the second instance, OEM support is provided by the OEM Vendor and so if the motherboard dies and the same version of motherboard is available and is used as a replacement, then the licence is still valid. If the same version of motherboard is NOT available, then according to the SUPPORT agreement between the OEM Vendor and MS, the OEM Vendor is at liberty to replace the motherboard with a suitable substitute. Again if it's an OEM Vendor-replacement motherboard. then the licence should still be valid. For me it all hinges on the fact that the End User does NOT either see or agree to this OEM Builder's licence. So you get the situation where people try to replace (upgrade) a motherboard and are told no you can't because of this SECRET agreement that you have neither seen nor agreed to. If only MS would put a definite statement in the EULA than all this would be clear. -- ubuntu-uk@lists.ubuntu.com https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-uk https://wiki.ubuntu.com/UKTeam/
Re: [ubuntu-uk] Dad's Computer - for want of a better subject
Jon Reynolds wrote: 1. Why on Earth did they choose to put Vista on there?? Perhaps because a new board supposedly means a new install of Windows and you're not supposed to be using XP licenses any more. Perhaps they're also tired of supporting an OS that's way past end-of-life. Did you ask them? 3. Wouldn't he have needed to buy a new license for Vista or would his existing XP license cover him (I somehow doubt it)? Yeah, he would have needed a new license. -- Avi -- ubuntu-uk@lists.ubuntu.com https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-uk https://wiki.ubuntu.com/UKTeam/
Re: [ubuntu-uk] Dad's Computer - for want of a better subject
On 22 June 2011 08:59, Avi Greenbury li...@avi.co wrote: Jon Reynolds wrote: 1. Why on Earth did they choose to put Vista on there?? Perhaps because a new board supposedly means a new install of Windows and you're not supposed to be using XP licenses any more. Perhaps they're also tired of supporting an OS that's way past end-of-life. You sure about that? I always believed that even an OEM licence was tied to the machine, but if you had to replace a motherboard you could still re-install legally. The automatic activation facilities in XP might tell you too many aspects of the machine has changed, but a call to Microsoft can resolve that. Anyway, I wouldn't be inclined to re-install because I changed a motherboard anyway. I may have to install new graphics/sound drivers etc. after changing the mobo (if they were using onboard) but I don't see why a re-install would be necessary. Sean -- ubuntu-uk@lists.ubuntu.com https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-uk https://wiki.ubuntu.com/UKTeam/
Re: [ubuntu-uk] Dad's Computer - for want of a better subject
On Wed, 22 Jun 2011 08:59:45 +0100, Avi Greenbury wrote: Jon Reynolds wrote: 1. Why on Earth did they choose to put Vista on there?? Perhaps because a new board supposedly means a new install of Windows and you're not supposed to be using XP licenses any more. Perhaps they're also tired of supporting an OS that's way past end-of-life. Is XP no longer sold (now I think about it that may be obvious!)? What about all the people and businesses who are not ready/capable of supporting/running Win7? Are existing XP license holders not able to have their PCs repaired and continue using their XP License? That's rubbish!! Did you ask them? No, just had an email from my Dad today. 3. Wouldn't he have needed to buy a new license for Vista or would his existing XP license cover him (I somehow doubt it)? Yeah, he would have needed a new license. So is Vista still sold then? I wonder if they told him they were going to put it on? Either way, I wish my Dad would just let me put Ubuntu on there and just LEARN to use OOo instead of MSO... stubborn git! :) -- Avi -- Jon Reynolds (j0nr) http://www.jcrdevelopments.com -- ubuntu-uk@lists.ubuntu.com https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-uk https://wiki.ubuntu.com/UKTeam/
Re: [ubuntu-uk] Dad's Computer - for want of a better subject
Sean Miller wrote: On 22 June 2011 08:59, Avi Greenburyli...@avi.co wrote: Jon Reynolds wrote: 1. Why on Earth did they choose to put Vista on there?? Perhaps because a new board supposedly means a new install of Windows and you're not supposed to be using XP licenses any more. Perhaps they're also tired of supporting an OS that's way past end-of-life. You sure about that? Nope :) I thought when pressed for a definition, MS decreed that the part of the computer the license was tied to was the motherboard, but I've never had cause to find out for sure. -- Avi -- ubuntu-uk@lists.ubuntu.com https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-uk https://wiki.ubuntu.com/UKTeam/
Re: [ubuntu-uk] Dad's Computer - for want of a better subject
On 22 June 2011 09:14, Jon Reynolds maill...@jcrdevelopments.com wrote: On Wed, 22 Jun 2011 08:59:45 +0100, Avi Greenbury wrote: Jon Reynolds wrote: 1. Why on Earth did they choose to put Vista on there?? Perhaps because a new board supposedly means a new install of Windows and you're not supposed to be using XP licenses any more. Perhaps they're also tired of supporting an OS that's way past end-of-life. Is XP no longer sold (now I think about it that may be obvious!)? What about all the people and businesses who are not ready/capable of supporting/running Win7? Are existing XP license holders not able to have their PCs repaired and continue using their XP License? That's rubbish!! Did you ask them? No, just had an email from my Dad today. 3. Wouldn't he have needed to buy a new license for Vista or would his existing XP license cover him (I somehow doubt it)? Yeah, he would have needed a new license. So is Vista still sold then? I wonder if they told him they were going to put it on? Either way, I wish my Dad would just let me put Ubuntu on there and just LEARN to use OOo instead of MSO... stubborn git! :) -- It's not a question of not being sold (it isn't), but as many companies still use it as their desktop build, MS are having to support it for a lot longer than they wanted to. s/ -- Twitter: @sfgreenwood Is this your sanderling? -- ubuntu-uk@lists.ubuntu.com https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-uk https://wiki.ubuntu.com/UKTeam/
Re: [ubuntu-uk] Dad's Computer - for want of a better subject
Jon Reynolds wrote: Is XP no longer sold (now I think about it that may be obvious!)? What about all the people and businesses who are not ready/capable of supporting/running Win7? Are existing XP license holders not able to have their PCs repaired and continue using their XP License? That's rubbish!! It was hard to get hold of XP in a MS-blessed way last time I was interested a year or so ago, I don't imagine it's got easier. Those businesses are supposed to have upgraded by now. The EOL for XP was widely publicised long before it happened, and it was then extended, and even then you could still buy it for a bit. I imagine it's still possible to get hold of, but perhaps not with MS's blessing. As said, I'd expect it to have just worked - replace the board and boot (perhaps a bit of hoop-jumping), but I don't know if this shop's got some deal with MS going on whereby they agree to actually abide by the licenses. So is Vista still sold then? I wonder if they told him they were going to put it on? Well, if you've a license in stock you're still allowed to sell it, but MS are definitely less concerned about people selling Vista licenses when they should be selling 7 ones than they are about XP. Either way, I wish my Dad would just let me put Ubuntu on there and just LEARN to use OOo instead of MSO... stubborn git! :) Surely this isn't that far from what the shop did, just you're imparting a different OS upon him... :) -- Avi -- ubuntu-uk@lists.ubuntu.com https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-uk https://wiki.ubuntu.com/UKTeam/
Re: [ubuntu-uk] Dad's Computer - for want of a better subject
On Wed, 22 Jun 2011 09:22:51 +0100, Avi Greenbury wrote: Either way, I wish my Dad would just let me put Ubuntu on there and just LEARN to use OOo instead of MSO... stubborn git! :) Surely this isn't that far from what the shop did, just you're imparting a different OS upon him... :) -- Avi Heh, true! -- Jon Reynolds (j0nr) http://www.jcrdevelopments.com -- ubuntu-uk@lists.ubuntu.com https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-uk https://wiki.ubuntu.com/UKTeam/
Re: [ubuntu-uk] Dad's Computer - for want of a better subject
On 22 June 2011 09:14, Jon Reynolds maill...@jcrdevelopments.com wrote: Is XP no longer sold (now I think about it that may be obvious!)? What about all the people and businesses who are not ready/capable of supporting/running Win7? Are existing XP license holders not able to have their PCs repaired and continue using their XP License? That's rubbish!! No, XP is still being sold widely. In fact many retailers are still offering new PCs with XP as their operating system. Sean -- ubuntu-uk@lists.ubuntu.com https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-uk https://wiki.ubuntu.com/UKTeam/
Re: [ubuntu-uk] Dad's Computer - for want of a better subject
On 22 June 2011 09:16, Avi Greenbury li...@avi.co wrote: I thought when pressed for a definition, MS decreed that the part of the computer the license was tied to was the motherboard, but I've never had cause to find out for sure. No, the automatic online activation may not work (due to the hardware changes) but if you phone the Microsoft activation line and explain the situation they will let it through as they're not stupid - they know that people will have blown motherboards etc. and need to replace them. Much as some of the most rabid Microsoft haters might try to make it out, Microsoft are not deliberately trying to make life difficult for people. They are just trying to protect their investment against pirates and, in all my dealings with them, are perfectly reasonable if you explain the situation to them. Personally in this situation I would phone the PC shop and ask them to remove Vista and re-install the original version of XP. If they argue that they will not do this, then do it yourself - you probably have CDs that came with the PC, but if not it should be relatively easy to borrow one and do it yourself (assuming the licence key is still attached to the machine and they haven't airblasted that off or something) quite legitimately. Sean -- ubuntu-uk@lists.ubuntu.com https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-uk https://wiki.ubuntu.com/UKTeam/
Re: [ubuntu-uk] Dad's Computer - for want of a better subject
By the way, the official line with regard to sales of Windows XP and Vista is that both are now past their sell by date, as XP officially end of retail sales was June 30th 2008, and Vista October 22nd 2010. Which makes me wonder why, if this PC shop wanted to move your dad forward, they didn't just go for Windows 7 which has been proven to be SIGNIFICANTLY faster than Vista (and in some cases XP) on lower specification machines. But, in reality, XP is far from dead or unavailable http://www.google.co.uk/#hl=enq=windows+xp+pcum=1ie=UTF-8tbo=utbm=shopsource=ogsa=Ntab=wfbav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.fp=6feb340e24106346biw=1262bih=664 Sean -- ubuntu-uk@lists.ubuntu.com https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-uk https://wiki.ubuntu.com/UKTeam/
Re: [ubuntu-uk] Dad's Computer - for want of a better subject
The new hardware may not be compatible with XP, as long as the shop authenticated the Vista install, I wouldn't make a big issue about it. Just be prepared for lots of questions from your Dad, everything moved or was given a different name in Vista and the UAC is a royal PITA :) Steve -- ubuntu-uk@lists.ubuntu.com https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-uk https://wiki.ubuntu.com/UKTeam/
Re: [ubuntu-uk] Dad's Computer - for want of a better subject
On Wed, Jun 22, 2011 at 8:56 AM, Jon Reynolds maill...@jcrdevelopments.comwrote: I have to follow up on my Dad's computer situation. I previously posted about how he bought MS Office rather than use OpenOffice etc. Well his computer then crashed again. He took it to the local shop (a small outfit, which is nice and a bit personal) who eventually diagnosed a faulty motherboard. They offered to rebuild the computer with some spares from another computer. Anyway, when it returned, it had Vista on it! I am just wondering the following: 1. Why on Earth did they choose to put Vista on there?? 2. If the machine was struggling with XP, why put something more demanding on there?? (and if they argue the new bits are more powerful, then why then cripple them again with something more demanding?) 3. Wouldn't he have needed to buy a new license for Vista or would his existing XP license cover him (I somehow doubt it)? 4. If they charge him for a license, they certainly didn't ask him if he wanted Vista! I find this amazing. Suddenly my opinion of these guys has dropped. Shame as they are nice and helpful by the sounds of it, coming out to his house to help. -- Jon Reynolds (j0nr) http://www.jcrdevelopments.com -- ubuntu-uk@lists.ubuntu.com https://lists.ubuntu.com/**mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-ukhttps://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-uk https://wiki.ubuntu.com/**UKTeam/ https://wiki.ubuntu.com/UKTeam/ I think it may just be easier for companies like that to do a complete re-install rather than diagnose the actual problem and blame it on dodgy hardware, as for the Vista install, if they did actually take the parts from another PC perhaps they switched the license over and scrapped the other PC - perhaps they thought they were doing him a favour by giving him a more up to date OS. I'd certainly check that the license is valid with someone (Not sure who, Microsoft?) as there may be a load of computers in your area all running the same Vista install - they won't be able to get licences for free will they? -- Best Regards, Dave Hanson -- ubuntu-uk@lists.ubuntu.com https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-uk https://wiki.ubuntu.com/UKTeam/
Re: [ubuntu-uk] Dad's Computer - for want of a better subject
On 22/06/11 09:14, Jon Reynolds wrote: Either way, I wish my Dad would just let me put Ubuntu on there and Do you intend to support his use of non free software when you obviously feel strongly about it? If any of my family, or friends want my support for their PCs, it *only* comes if they are using Ubuntu, no way for Windows. Although if they use Windows, that is their choice. My own life is too short to spend time supporting something I dislike for many reasons. -- alan cocks Ubuntu user -- ubuntu-uk@lists.ubuntu.com https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-uk https://wiki.ubuntu.com/UKTeam/
Re: [ubuntu-uk] Dad's Computer - for want of a better subject
On Wed, 22 Jun 2011 11:52:24 +0100, alan c wrote: On 22/06/11 09:14, Jon Reynolds wrote: Either way, I wish my Dad would just let me put Ubuntu on there and Do you intend to support his use of non free software when you obviously feel strongly about it? If any of my family, or friends want my support for their PCs, it *only* comes if they are using Ubuntu, no way for Windows. Although if they use Windows, that is their choice. My own life is too short to spend time supporting something I dislike for many reasons. -- alan cocks Ubuntu user Well he doesn't have too many problems usually, but I fear he may have questions if Vista is much different. I don't mind helping him obviously, but unfortunately I have never used Vista so would struggle to help remotely anyway. -- Jon Reynolds (j0nr) http://www.jcrdevelopments.com -- ubuntu-uk@lists.ubuntu.com https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-uk https://wiki.ubuntu.com/UKTeam/
Re: [ubuntu-uk] Dad's Computer - for want of a better subject
On 22/06/2011 11:32, Dave Hanson wrote: I think it may just be easier for companies like that to do a complete re-install rather than diagnose the actual problem and blame it on dodgy hardware, as for the Vista install, if they did actually take the parts from another PC perhaps they switched the license over and scrapped the other PC - perhaps they thought they were doing him a favour by giving him a more up to date OS. I'd certainly check that the license is valid with someone (Not sure who, Microsoft?) as there may be a load of computers in your area all running the same Vista install - they won't be able to get licences for free will they? Actually it is easy to get round the Vista activation with a BIOS modification (as it is also with XP and Windows 7) so I wonder if this is what they have done? Doesn't make it legal though. My other thought was that maybe they are a registered Microsoft refurbisher and provided a licence that way, that is until I read that the options are Windows XP or Windows 7, NOT Vista... http://www.microsoft.com/refurbishedpcs/Programs/registeredRefurbFAQ.htm Rob -- ubuntu-uk@lists.ubuntu.com https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-uk https://wiki.ubuntu.com/UKTeam/
Re: [ubuntu-uk] Dad's Computer - for want of a better subject
On 22/06/2011 09:14, Sean Miller wrote: On 22 June 2011 08:59, Avi Greenbury li...@avi.co mailto:li...@avi.co wrote: Jon Reynolds wrote: 1. Why on Earth did they choose to put Vista on there?? Perhaps because a new board supposedly means a new install of Windows and you're not supposed to be using XP licenses any more. Perhaps they're also tired of supporting an OS that's way past end-of-life. You sure about that? I always believed that even an OEM licence was tied to the machine, but if you had to replace a motherboard you could still re-install legally. The automatic activation facilities in XP might tell you too many aspects of the machine has changed, but a call to Microsoft can resolve that. This is a blog post about what Microsoft class as the machine nowadays... 4.1 We grant you a nonexclusive right to distribute an individual software license only with a fully assembled computer system. A fully assembled computer system means a computer system consisting of at least a central processing unit, a motherboard, a hard drive, a power supply, and a case. You will notice the loophole that people have been exploiting (the former language which stated that an OEM desktop Operating System license could be sold with non-peripheral hardware,) is no longer in place. It is now very simple and straightforward: an OEM license must be sold only with a fully assembled computer system. Loophole closed. http://blogs.msdn.com/b/mssmallbiz/archive/2005/09/07/461950.aspx Seems pretty strict, last I heard it was tied to the motherboard and case. Anyway, I wouldn't be inclined to re-install because I changed a motherboard anyway. I may have to install new graphics/sound drivers etc. after changing the mobo (if they were using onboard) but I don't see why a re-install would be necessary. In the olden days Windows could be more fussy about hardware changes, such as changing from one motherboard to another. I guess this still can be the case if you're using the built in Windows disk drivers. I found that for instance going from a Pentium 4 to a Pentium 2 didn't work. A place I used to work at used to do images of Windows for deployment, they found that creating the images on newer hardware wouldn't work on older hardware, in the end we had to use the oldest hardware we had such as a P2 and install what we wanted, and then run Sysprep with the hardware drivers available for newer disk controller, otherwise the machines wouldn't boot. I gather in Vista and Windows 7 things have improved greatly and if the machine can't boot you have the option of loading a gui recovery mode and adding drivers that way. Rob -- ubuntu-uk@lists.ubuntu.com https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-uk https://wiki.ubuntu.com/UKTeam/
Re: [ubuntu-uk] Dad's Computer - for want of a better subject
On Wed, 2011-06-22 at 11:52 +0100, alan c wrote: On 22/06/11 09:14, Jon Reynolds wrote: Either way, I wish my Dad would just let me put Ubuntu on there and Do you intend to support his use of non free software when you obviously feel strongly about it? If any of my family, or friends want my support for their PCs, it *only* comes if they are using Ubuntu, no way for Windows. Although if they use Windows, that is their choice. My own life is too short to spend time supporting something I dislike for many reasons. -- alan cocks Ubuntu user I help local Windows users but try to get in a comment like you wouldn't have had this problem with Ubuntu. I see it as a form of evangelism. There is one women whose machine got borked by a virus, who is now considering giving Ubuntu a try. Barry T -- ubuntu-uk@lists.ubuntu.com https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-uk https://wiki.ubuntu.com/UKTeam/
Re: [ubuntu-uk] Dad's Computer - for want of a better subject
alan c wrote: If any of my family, or friends want my support for their PCs, it *only* comes if they are using Ubuntu, no way for Windows. Although if they use Windows, that is their choice. Heh. I started not even trying to fix systems I wasn't familiar with a while ago in search of the quiet life. Now they're all ruddy running *buntus. So that plan failed. :( -- Avi -- ubuntu-uk@lists.ubuntu.com https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-uk https://wiki.ubuntu.com/UKTeam/