C'mon guys, what is this? All the flaming and such. I was using pirated disc because I lost my original disc but genuine serial number. Currently don't use so much of Windows, more on Mac.

sigh....

pure bs..

im also using a *ahem* copy of windows.
for 3+ years i have not formated my os, only updates on the latest service pack.like sp3.
it's not the windows which causes errors...ITS THE USER of the windows.
i work in the IT line so i KNOW how to maintain my windows.

i think he's just trying to say that using pirated software is illegal lor.
how oso, if get caught will kena wan.

no big deal.

And the reason of this post is?

Rather shameful to the profession that you still have to use pirated software to do your work or even study.

If your in the IT line, if you dont want 2 pay for windows. Then why dont go open source since your more then cheap enough 2 use pirated software.

to add post count.

pwn'd, and kinda true. sorry ah

There are so many open source OS out there, any capable IT person would at least have tried out some of it b4 resorting to pirated goods.

Even big firms are going open source such as google and even notebook manufacturers like asus and dell which have ubuntu linux os in it instead of always offering the standard windows OS coz.

From what i heard OEM comes with the pc, no packing, no cd, only serial no. Buy one (retail), got box and cd, inside software same thing, much more expensive, not much different for users (software wise). If you intend to format your pc yourself go for retail, OEM only have cd key, normally they don't give you the CD (correct me if i'm wrong)

you're not quite right. Usually OEM branded PC gives out a "recovery" disc so you can reformat your PC, the difference is you cannot transfer your OEM license to another PC. It's for PC you bought it with...

so OEM is just for a single pc....what if i want to use it on other pc?

I've heard of people calling Microsoft telling them that they changed HDD and their allowed to activate/validate their Windows.

You can't.

can be done, but that's not ethically legal...

what about retail?can i switch to other cpu with this?what if i want to use this on different computers at the same time, if not, does Microsoft provide different versions for this purpose? (always wanted to know)

you can move the license to other PC if needed and can call Microsoft if you have reactivation issue(s). You cannot use it on more than one PC, if you still want to use it on more than one PC, you're required to buy an additional license, unless your license is VL (volume license) typically used in corporate environment...

thanks for the info

i'm using pirated software, and still i can update to service pack 3.. it's just that u dont need to install wga when it ask u to. But once u install WGA, that's it, you no longer able to install updates / patches on ur pc. Basically we can still receive and install update, but have to make sure we dont install wga.

If you know what to do, WGA can be anywhere on your computer and it still wont detect it is pirated.

Ori is the best , i using two windows for my computer
1)xp professional
2)vista home basic

i using two windows for my comp.
1)xp professional
2)vista home basic