OS system disks that ship with systems

[SK6]

So I have a laptop for our Lit Tech department, and it shipped with 64bit Vista Business. However, we image it to an XP system to run our apps on it. So now I have a 64 bit OS made for a Compaq/HP not being used. I would like to install it on another laptop, however, it's a Gateway. Is there anyway to do this?

I know sometimes it looks for a ROM signature of sorts, or at least thats what I'm guessing, but, is there a way to install it on a completely different system?

[binary visions]

It depends entirely on how the disk and installer was set up. Give it a shot if you want. If it tells you it's not a Compaq/HP machine and refuses to proceed, forget about it and move on. It'd be easier to torrent a copy than try and hack that one into working, and both of them will be equally illegal.

[H8R]

and both of them will be equally illegal.

...and your IP will be reported by one of the RM SS.

:D

[SK6]

So even installed on another machine, while its not loaded anywhere else is still illegal? Interesting.

[binary visions]

It's illegal to circumvent restrictions that a software manufacturer puts on their software.

That copy of Windows was sold OEM, under OEM licensing, to Compaq/HP. It's probably illegal even if they didn't put restrictions on it since you're using the software in a manner contrary to its intended use, but if they did put restrictions on it, you're forced to abide by them.

[SK6]

Valid point. So, if a company whose software is not Vista complaint friendly, or whatever moniker you want to use, and a corporate license agreement exits to run XP, the OS shipped with the system therefore is null and void unless loaded on their machines?

[binary visions]

I'm not 100% sure about standard OEM copies of operating systems. If there are no restrictions put in place about loading the software, I don't know what the legality exactly is - technically, OEM copies can only be purchased with hardware and are illegal to resell, but I don't know what its legality is for putting it on a non-designated machine. Probably depends on what the EULA says with the software, and if the EULA specifies the OEM's name.

If there are restrictions in place to keep you from loading it on another machine, though, it's definitely a no-no.