"Donald Link" <> wrote in message:
> Hey we all have our opinions about Microsoft some good, some bad but
> there is a general feeling that they brought computing for
> individuals into the economical and usability realms. They are not
> perfect and getting to be less so everyday, but chill out. Life is
> to short to worry about 35 minutes. Try to get some decent help at
> your local computer store. Ask 5 people and you get 5 different
> answers.

asr <> wrote:
> point is, I bought and paid for my copy of xp. Not sure if there was a
> disclaimer on the package, maybe I didnt see it saying that Bill
> still has control over my use of it by turning it off when he feels I
> am not following his rules. I don't register my software, and
> shouldnt have to. Why the hell do I have to Keep reactivating my,
> that's MY copy of XP.

Then you did not read the EULA.

Start -> RUN
type in:

winver

Click OK.

When "About Windows" comes up, click on "End-User License Agreement".

Some parts that might interest you in this argument:



1. GRANT OF LICENSE. Microsoft grants you the following rights
provided that you comply with all terms and conditions of
this EULA:

* Installation and use. You may install, use, access,
display and run one copy of the Product on a single
computer, such as a workstation, terminal or other device
("Workstation Computer").



Notice it gives you the right to "Install and Use" -> No where does it say
you OWN said product. You paid for the USE of said product.



1. GRANT OF LICENSE. Microsoft grants you the following rights
provided that you comply with all terms and conditions of
this EULA:

* Mandatory Activation. The license rights granted under this
EULA are limited to the first thirty (30) days after
you first install the Product unless you supply
information required to activate your licensed copy in
the manner described during the setup sequence of the
Product. You can activate the Product through the use
of the Internet or telephone; toll charges may apply.
You may also need to reactivate the Product if you modify
your computer hardware or alter the Product. There are
technological measures in this Product that are designed
to prevent unlicensed or illegal use of the Product.
You agree that we may use those measures.



This part pretty well covers the situation you were in when you first
complained. You agreed to it. Whether you read it or not, that was your
decision - but you did agree to it when you installed and/or activated the
first time. Just like any legal document, your signature(clicking the I
Agree button) is the part that makes that so.



6. TERMINATION. Without prejudice to any other rights, Microsoft
may cancel this EULA if you do not abide by the terms and
conditions of this EULA, in which case you must destroy all
copies of the Product and all of its component parts.



Maybe I am reading this wrong, but pretty much this says to me that *if*
Microsoft decides you are using the software in a way not allowed in this
EULA, then they can cancel it and enforce your non-use of the product - for
which you should destroy all copies, uninstall, etc.

I'm not arguing for or against the EULA. Whether it is right or wrong, I
will not say. I've done what I need to do to use Windows XP in the ways I
want to. Period. The facts are that you agreed to what you read above and
much more. You did this when you installed. You did this when you
activated. If you don;t want to do this again, then erase and start over
and don't agree or change enough hardware where the hardware change section
applies and you have to reactivate, then just don't activate. The choice is
yours.. Sure, unless you act against the EULA in some "hacker/cracker"
way - you'll not be using Windows any longer, but you have then done
something other than complain. Point in fact, even if you went the
"hacker/cracker" way, you have done something other than complain.

Do what you want to do, but if you are going to complain about something, at
least know what you agreed to before you complain. In your original
complaint, you were angry that you had to reactivate. You agreed to it by
clicking on the "I Agree" text:


You may also need to reactivate the Product if you modify
your computer hardware or alter the Product. There are
technological measures in this Product that are designed
to prevent unlicensed or illegal use of the Product.
You agree that we may use those measures.


I am sorry if you did not know it, but I am pretty sure you had to click "I
Agree" or some similar phrasing somewhere when activating/installing/etc...

And your other point:

"point is, I bought and paid for my copy of xp."

No - you paid for the installtion and use rights. The software does not
belong to you. Matter of fact, after reading the EULA, I am thinking it is
more like a lease with a one-time payment. Weird. But there.

Hell, the whole wording of the EULA is scary. No SANE individual would
normally agree to that thing!
But.. We did. We are all carzy - or we have found ways around it.

--
Shenan Stanley
"Just trying to help"
-------------------------
How to use XPs Help and Support
http://tinyurl.com/fltf

How to Use the Microsoft Product Support Newsgroups
http://tinyurl.com/fkja

How do I go about posting an informative question?
http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm

How to use Google
http://www.google.com/help/basics.html
http://tinyurl.com/fkmc
-------------------------