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Microsoft

Microsoft's Guide to Accepting Donated PCs 643

An anonymous reader links us to Microsoft's Guide to Accepting Donated Computers for Your School, which contains humorous statements such as "If a company or individual donates a machine to your school, it must be donated with the operating system that was installed on the PC. " It's just an amusing little read that basically amounts to keeping the license with the PC. Also neglects to mention the Naked PC discussed in this slashdot story.
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Microsoft's Guide to Accepting Donated PCs

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  • by tepeka ( 572431 ) on Thursday April 18, 2002 @12:37PM (#3365943)
    ...it'll be a good learning experience for the kids when they install a new OS...
  • by anonymous_wombat ( 532191 ) on Thursday April 18, 2002 @12:39PM (#3365965)
    I am pretty sure. This means that anyone that installs Linux on a Windows machine (unless they make it a dual boot) is breaking the law.
  • FUD (Score:4, Funny)

    by vrmlguy ( 120854 ) <samwyse AT gmail DOT com> on Thursday April 18, 2002 @12:40PM (#3365977) Homepage Journal
    I especially like the bit where they say that schools should decline any computer that doesn't come with the original media.

    "Hey, I want to donate this computer for the school's Beowulf cluster."

    "Do you have the original disks that came with it?"

    "Err, no."

    "Sorry, I can't accept it."

  • Look at the last question on the list. Can I upgrade the OS on my donated PC? Why of course you can!

    Where else have I heard the expression "First one's free?"

  • by Anonymous Coward on Thursday April 18, 2002 @12:43PM (#3366020)
    I'm sorry, but the law states if you have Linux on your hard drive, you go to jail [bsa.org].
  • by yintercept ( 517362 ) on Thursday April 18, 2002 @12:46PM (#3366055) Homepage Journal
    This blurb from Microsoft is absurd, but in many cases the software on the machine is worth more than the hardware. Both the donor and the charity should be attentive to the value of the software. I assume you would get an extra tax break if you donate your unused software licenses with the computer. BTW: It is also good to take all of the pictures of nekkid ladies off the computer as well. You don't want your donation to be too educational.
  • Q. How does the PC owner transfer their license rights for the operating system?
    A. The GPL can be found here [gnu.org].

    Q. What if the donor can't find the backup CDs, End-Use License Agreement, End-User manual and the Certificate of Authenticity? Can they still donate the PC and operating system?
    A. It can be downloaded from here [kernel.org]

    - [grunby]
  • by abernathy ( 165091 ) on Thursday April 18, 2002 @12:48PM (#3366068) Homepage
    A: Keeping the original parts with the vehicle is not just a great benefit - it is a legal requirement. Use of non-GM parts (often referred to as "deadly aftermarket assault parts") or hiring non-GM-certified mechanics will not only void your warranty, but may result in prosecution, injury, or death.

    If you think about using aftermarket assault parts, think again -- for the kids.
  • A quote (Score:2, Funny)

    by techstar25 ( 556988 ) <techstar25@gCHICAGOmail.com minus city> on Thursday April 18, 2002 @12:49PM (#3366075) Journal
    "Keeping the operating system with the PC is not just a great benefit - it is a legal requirement."

    That sounds nice and all but they fail to describe the great benefits. If they did it would sound something like:
    It will crash all the time.
    It will be insecure and probably allow outsiders access to your network.
    You will need to upgrade every X amount of years, just because we say so.
    You will need to download patches every week, or else deal with viruses and trojans.

    I like my PC's how I like my women - NAKED!
  • by Anonnymous Coward ( 557983 ) on Thursday April 18, 2002 @12:49PM (#3366081)
    Of course it's outrageous and egregious! But then, taking legal advice about software licensing issues from Microsoft is like taking airline safety advice from Osama bin Laden.
  • by pubjames ( 468013 ) on Thursday April 18, 2002 @12:54PM (#3366138)
    People, out of their good nature, give computers to schools to help educate children.

    Microsoft lie to the schools to try to stop them accepting generous gifts that might make a tiny dent in their massive profits. This makes me so mad.

    It is a legal requirement that pre-installed operating systems remain with a machine for the life of the machine. If a company or individual donates a machine to your school, it must be donated with the operating system that was installed on the PC.

    Is this true? Even for Microsoft operating systems? They're saying it's illegal to remove an OS from a computer, any computer? F*ck*ng w**kers.

    PC owners have to transfer their license rights to the operating system to your school along with the PC. They may do so as specified in their End-User License Agreement (received at the time of purchase) as part of a permanent sale or transfer of the PC.

    Listen Microsoft. You've made it very difficult so that I, as a PC purchaser, can buy a new PC without buying a Microsoft OS. You know that. So, 99% of computers that are donated to schools are likely to have a legitimate, paid for, Microsoft OS on them. You bunch of complete t*ss*rs.

    The following should be included with the donation of the PC.

    Why? I'll tell you why! To make it difficult for people to donate PCs to schools, that's why. I ***king hate those money grabbing, selfish, **bhe*ds at Microsoft.

    Microsoft recommends that educational institutions only accept computer donations that are accompanied by proper operating system documentation. If the donor cannot provide this documentation, it is recommended that you decline the donated PC(s).

    Why? So Microsoft can profit at the expense of the education of our children? You absolute ****ing *i*si*ng i*i*tic bunch of *uc*ing a**eh*les! *an** *a*s*** of the *i*** *rd***! You ****p** **s** **e*s*s!!!

  • by kalislashdot ( 229144 ) on Thursday April 18, 2002 @12:54PM (#3366147) Homepage
    All you people ever do is bitch.

    Microsoft is talking about wintel computers. For example if I donate a Dell to a school, 99.9% of the time I bought it with Windows preinstalled, and this lets them know that it should come with an OS.

    So the 00.1% that came preinstalled with another OS, they are not concerned about this because it is such a low number. Also why would anyone donate a home-built machine since you can always swap out parts and keep it alive forever.

    Don't you guys get it, EVERYONE uses Windows. Get over it. Microsoft sucks, I totally agree and I always fight my spyware XP with a firewall, but moving to Linux as my Desktop OS will never happen. Trust me, I have tried many times, but it is not worth the pain and suffering. MacOS X is the only usable unix based desktop solution, and I hate Apple too.

    I think they should use Windows in schools since that is what 99.9% of the kids will use at home and a a job later in life. Plus there is a lot of educational software avaialbe. Iam glad they are gettign away from Kacs in School, since they most likely will never use them later in life.

    Go ahead, flame away.
  • by xZAQx ( 472674 ) <zrizer@@@sbcglobal...net> on Thursday April 18, 2002 @12:55PM (#3366154) Homepage
    Mr. Cornelius the Great,

    No more free shit for you!

    Sincerely,
    Mr. Gates
  • by dohcvtec ( 461026 ) on Thursday April 18, 2002 @12:59PM (#3366185)
    I'd buy a house without a roof if the roof that came with the house always crashed through the ceiling.
  • busted!!! (Score:2, Funny)

    by chickerino ( 540140 ) <marcus DOT green ... ed DOT co DOT uk> on Thursday April 18, 2002 @01:08PM (#3366276) Homepage
    "It is a legal requirement that pre-installed operating systems remain with a machine for the life of the machine"

    "The following should be included with the donation of the PC.
    All copies of the software on original disk or CD, including back-up and/or recovery materials"

    So does this mean that in the event of your PC going horribly wrong (I mean it never happens to windows, but just say it did...) you might have to re-format and use your backup cd. in the time that you have no OS on your pc (because you just formatted the HD duh!) you are liable to be *BUSTED* by the powers that be?
  • by agurkan ( 523320 ) on Thursday April 18, 2002 @01:13PM (#3366315) Homepage
    I think this should be modded down before rms sees the second answer and starts shouting "Linux is not OS it is only the kerneeeeel!!"
  • by Dirtside ( 91468 ) on Thursday April 18, 2002 @01:51PM (#3366750) Journal
    Why? So Microsoft can profit at the expense of the education of our children? You absolute ****ing *i*si*ng i*i*tic bunch of *uc*ing a**eh*les! *an** *a*s*** of the *i*** *rd***! You ****p** **s** **e*s*s!!!
    Call it a hunch, but I think your keyboard might be broken.
  • by DunbarTheInept ( 764 ) on Thursday April 18, 2002 @02:05PM (#3366938) Homepage
    You are in violation of the DMCA for decoding and dissemating what was obviously meant to be an encrypted post with protected contents.

  • by Wansu ( 846 ) on Thursday April 18, 2002 @02:10PM (#3366994)
    These could be assembled into a computer which could be used to pirate software.
  • by Anonymous Coward on Thursday April 18, 2002 @02:12PM (#3367022)
    "as I delete Windows of my new PC "

    Sorry. That does not compute. Maybe you should talk to some people over at the BSA about that.. ;-)

    I mean, you exist to buy our stuff so what the hell is wrong with you?
  • by neo ( 4625 ) on Thursday April 18, 2002 @03:12PM (#3367683)
    Didn't any of you read the Terms of Use at the bottom of that page?

    "PERSONAL AND NON-COMMERCIAL USE LIMITATION.

    Unless otherwise specified, the Services are for your personal and non-commercial use. You may not modify, copy, distribute, transmit, display, perform, reproduce, publish, license, create derivative works from, transfer, or sell any information, software, products or services obtained from the Services."


    If I'm not mistaken, you guys have copied parts of that page and pasted it here. You are in soooo much trouble.

    oh crap... I just pasted part of the TOU here...
  • MS doesn't have to. They only need to make an example out of a few and the rest will cower in fear.

    The more you tighten your grip, Mr. Gates, the more star systems will slip through your fingers.

  • Sorry it took me so long, it's been a busy day ;)

    Linux Education [punitiveart.com]

  • by Anonymous Coward on Thursday April 18, 2002 @05:17PM (#3368692)
    I wanted a bigger hard drive so I replaced the original 2 GB with a 30 GB. Formatted the disk and gave it to my brother.

    I wanted more memory so I put in 128 MB, gave the old SIMMs to my brother.

    Eventually I wanted a faster processor, faster CD-ROM drive, better video card, etc. My brother got all the used parts. I still have the original case, motherboard, and power supply, though.

    When he puts all those parts together, which of us will own the original PC?

    To be safe, I guess we'd both better keep the OEM operating system that came with it. I'd better make a copy of that CD right away.
  • by Anonymous Coward on Thursday April 18, 2002 @05:29PM (#3368773)
    You're implying that machines are modular. But it is impossible to build a modular computer, just as it is impossible to create a modular OS.
  • Re:WTF? (Score:1, Funny)

    by Anonymous Coward on Thursday April 18, 2002 @06:15PM (#3369068)
    If your install your own OS, legally speaking, that is considered "Reverse Engineering" the "Windows Computer"

    This is clearly illegal under the DMCA
  • by phiwum ( 319633 ) <jesse@phiwumbda.org> on Friday April 19, 2002 @07:45AM (#3372511) Homepage
    "Is there some law that makes you a criminal if you miseducate the public about laws?"

    Yes, there is such a law. House Bill 602P mandates that those who misinform the public about legal statutes may be fined up to 5c per email or incarcerated for no less than 90 days and no more than six weeks.

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