www.ultimatehandyman.co.uk

mark21lancs wrote:As for engineers installing dodgy copies in shops etc BG. When I was working as an engineer we used to install windows with our key. Then delete it out of the registry once that the install was complete. Then when the customer started up the comp they had a windows prompt for a key to be entered before allowing access to user accounts. This was legal. Unless laws have changed this is what engineers should be doing.

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Are we talking Sysprep?

If so, there really is no need to even enter your own key. It's not to say the method you used didn't work - it obviously did, but there are better ways of doing it (even without the hassle of learning how to use the OPK/AIK).

Technically, it's all down to where the media was from that is the issue. If it's your media and their key, it IS piracy in the EULA in the UK. It would go like this: did the end user have media? No.....so you used yours. Did you leave them the disc? No. So technically, that is one of those situations where if the end user rang up Microsoft for support or reported you, you WOULD end up on the receiving end of anything from a letter to legal action.

In the interest of the OP, it's best left here. I know what the typical man in the shop/engineer/end user thinks about the rules and terms - I'm not stupid, really I'm not. But, I also know what constitutes a valid use of a product (in the eyes of the law). You obviously got away with it, so that makes it right - but lots of people don't and it can ruin their business reputation.

Hope you get sorted Chemfree, apologies for derailing your thread. I just wanted to make sure you don't end up in a worse situation than you were in. Best of luck!

BG

mark21lancs wrote:

HandyAndyLondon wrote:I'm new to posting mainly use this site for browsing DIY hints and tips which I find very useful.

I have to say I have stumbled across this topic and can not believe what some people are saying on here. Number one 'mark21lancs' yes it is ILLEGAL to obtain windows by these means regardless of wether or not you have a license. It is very illegal in fact -, because you are downloading it. Even though you do technically own a license to windows. When you have download it you are also uploading it to other people that may not own a license to it. So you will be breaking the copyright law by distributing it to other people! It is also very unsafe.

I work for the police and know very well what the legalities are for this matter. You have to be very careful with this type of activity. Sounds like you need to know all of the facts first.

You sound like a typical bobby.,. Jumping to conclusions. It would only upload if indeed you used something like torrent. Which I never once said. This is getting rather daft now. If you wanna to discuss legalities with me further I suggest you pm me so we don't go further of topic

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I'm a fickle creature, so I sit on the fence......Marc never actually said where he downloaded it from. He did however say he worked as an engineer, so it's entirely possible they had a TechNet or MSDN subscription and it was his work machine, which was a qualifying product.

It uses a download manager and is 100% legit........

mark21lancs wrote:

thescruff wrote: HandyAndyLondon

Would the Police actually investigate something like copyright Law, or would it depend how high profile the case was. Just wondered only round here, if they have to get out of the motor they're in a bad mood for weeks.

Playing Sherlock Holmes is not in the job title.

No they wouldn't. It would be HMRC

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The guy just hasn't got a clue

mark21lancs wrote:

HandyAndyLondon wrote:I'm new to posting mainly use this site for browsing DIY hints and tips which I find very useful.

I have to say I have stumbled across this topic and can not believe what some people are saying on here. Number one 'mark21lancs' yes it is ILLEGAL to obtain windows by these means regardless of wether or not you have a license. It is very illegal in fact -, because you are downloading it. Even though you do technically own a license to windows. When you have download it you are also uploading it to other people that may not own a license to it. So you will be breaking the copyright law by distributing it to other people! It is also very unsafe.

I work for the police and know very well what the legalities are for this matter. You have to be very careful with this type of activity. Sounds like you need to know all of the facts first.

You sound like a typical bobby.,. Jumping to conclusions. It would only upload if indeed you used something like torrent. Which I never once said. This is getting rather daft now. If you wanna to discuss legalities with me further I suggest you pm me so we don't go further of topic

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It wasn't getting off topic. You seem to be instigating something that is 100% illegal. Just letting you know that it really isn't a good idea.

Err.. right...

On some machines that don't come with a disc to reset/reinstall the windowsthingymebob..(Technical term) there is a hidden partition on the hard drive D/ which can be re-installed....somehow...perhaps Billy Goat knows how to access this...

because I know I don't...

What make/model?

If it's Windows 7 and one of the bigger brands, it's usually F8 when it starts up and 'repair my computer' or something. Could be another F key though.......

Make your media, if you can though......life saver if things go south!

BG

wine~o wrote:Err.. right...

On some machines that don't come with a disc to reset/reinstall the windowsthingymebob..(Technical term) there is a hidden partition on the hard drive D/ which can be re-installed....somehow...perhaps Billy Goat knows how to access this...

because I know I don't...

Ah, that`s handy to know.Thanks to all.
Reckon you lot will soon make an "honest" computer fixer out of me.

I lived with an ex nurse in the mid eighties who`d decided to train as a computer programmer.The ones and zeros on the A4 sheets she brought home from tech meant nothing to me but she saw the £ signs in them.

Click Start > right click Computer > Manage.

Once open, click Disk Management on the left.

You want to look at this bit......if it says 'recovery', your luck may have just changed.......
BG

BillyGoat wrote:Click Start > right click Computer > Manage.

Once open, click Disk Management on the left.

You want to look at this bit......if it says 'recovery', your luck may have just changed.......

drives.png

BG

Following you Billy;that`s led me to.... E:Recover. What next?

Seem to remember the seller mentioned something about a "safety net" or whatever six years ago when I was in his workshop/office having this computer prepped for me,and he may have given me a disk too,but I`ve not made a concerted effort to track it down.

Chemfree wrote:

BillyGoat wrote:Click Start > right click Computer > Manage.

Once open, click Disk Management on the left.

You want to look at this bit......if it says 'recovery', your luck may have just changed.......

drives.png

BG

Following you Billy;that`s led me to.... E:Recover. What next?

Seem to remember the seller mentioned something about a "safety net" or whatever six years ago when I was in his workshop/office having this computer prepped for me,and he may have given me a disk too,but I`ve not made a concerted effort to track it down.

That's very good news chem, next step I would suggest that you take the side of the tower unit off. It Should only be 2 screw's unless its a nasty nineties case that's in one piece. Then get your camera and take a picture of any text and numbers on the main board. As if this is a custom build it will be easiest way to find what method is used to access your recovery partition. as we will be able to figure out the brand and model.

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E:recovery.

E: is the drive and recovery is the program you need to open/run

I would try and find the disc first though. I always put that stuff in the box and chuck it in the loft, so its all together.

To avoid confusion, I'll leave it to Mark to guide you through it.....

Not a custom build though, it's made by an OEM. It'll be a .wim file, that needs ImageX to apply it back to the machine



BG

Thanks very much chaps,all great stuff.I will have a good look for the disk over the holiday weekend and give Mark a shout soon if he`s available?
`Scruff...I`m out-of-control untidy and have no loft