More Microsoft Licensing fun!

[Joe]

You didn't have to reinstall when you changed your harddrive?  How did you pull THAT off, exactly?

I guess I had a brainfart when I posted that. But yeah, I changed ex-C: to D:.

Who cares?  That's not even close to being related to this topic.

It was said that the harddrive was a needed part of the computer. A Commodore 128 was a computer. It didn't have a hard drive. Hard drives are not needed.

That was more of an example to Warrior: Although it's true, it's stupid. =p

[iago]

It was said that the harddrive was a needed part of the computer

No, a harddrive is where the OS lives.

[Sidoh]

It was said that the harddrive was a needed part of the computer. A Commodore 128 was a computer. It didn't have a hard drive. Hard drives are not needed.

Find a computer that even begins to relate to this topic with no hard drive, please.

[Warrior]

That was more of an example to Warrior: Although it's true, it's stupid. =p

Sit down Joe.

[Joe]

That was more of an example to Warrior: Although it's true, it's stupid. =p

Sit down Joe.

I am sitting, Messiah.

[Chavo]

Their call-in support for the activation is actually pretty lenient.  When XP was still fairly new I had to send in my laptop for warranty repair.  During this time I borrowed an unused computer from home, installed the same copy of XP on the temp machine, called them up and even though not a single piece of hardware was the same as the original installation, the guy on the phone just asked a few basic questions like how long I would have the temporary machine and whether I owned it.

Not all that shocking, but what surprised me was when I received my laptop back, I had to reinstall XP (it did not come with the laptop and they ended up replacing my hard drive) and the Activation did not complain even though the key was simultaneously in use on my temp machine.

[Sidoh]

Their call-in support for the activation is actually pretty lenient.  When XP was still fairly new I had to send in my laptop for warranty repair.  During this time I borrowed an unused computer from home, installed the same copy of XP on the temp machine, called them up and even though not a single piece of hardware was the same as the original installation, the guy on the phone just asked a few basic questions like how long I would have the temporary machine and whether I owned it.

I believe they've cracked down more.  As I think I've mentioned, my friend always used to call tech support and say "My hard drive crashed and I reinstalled the OS."  It always worked, even though the copy of XP he had was one I'd gotten off of the internet and burned to a CD for him.  One of the kids in my school was having some problems with their computer a while ago, so I offered to install a fresh copy of XP for him.  I did, and told him about the activation trick.  He said he tried it, but they kept asking questions he couldn't answer without telling obvious lies.  Of course, he said something about the problem being with "Microsoft Office Activation" (I know it exists, but it's not going to keep you from being able to log in to your machine...), so I'm fairly certain he's pulling shit out of his ass just so I'd do it for him.

Not all that shocking, but what surprised me was when I received my laptop back, I had to reinstall XP (it did not come with the laptop and they ended up replacing my hard drive) and the Activation did not complain even though the key was simultaneously in use on my temp machine.

Hahah, that's pretty funny.  There are definitely some loopholes in their system.  I'm sure they're aware they exist, too.  They probably just conclude that it isn't worth the amount of pain their absence would cause them.

[GameSnake]

It was said that the harddrive was a needed part of the computer

No, a harddrive is where the OS lives.

Then the harddrive IS needed!

[iago]

It was said that the harddrive was a needed part of the computer

No, a harddrive is where the OS lives.

Then the harddrive IS needed!

Only if the OS needs somewhere to live.  Don't jump to conclusions!

[Sidoh]

The original purpose of this thread refers to "modern" day computers (meaning ones that do have hard drives).  It's an essential component of a modern day computer, that's my point.

[GameSnake]

It was said that the harddrive was a needed part of the computer

No, a harddrive is where the OS lives.

Then the harddrive IS needed!

Only if the OS needs somewhere to live.  Don't jump to conclusions!

So it's a needed part of the computer isn't it?

[Joe]

It was said that the harddrive was a needed part of the computer

No, a harddrive is where the OS lives.

Then the harddrive IS needed!

Only if the OS needs somewhere to live.  Don't jump to conclusions!

So it's a needed part of the computer isn't it?

Going back to my point about the Commodore: It didn't have a hard drive (it did, if you installed one externally, and put AmigaOS or whatever on it, but that's beside the point), but still worked.


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@Sidoh:
I could remove the HD from my computer right now, stick in a Linux LiveCD, have my network card autoconfigured, and log on Gaim and talk to you (if you unblock me) and post here on the forums, all without a hard drive. Does that relate to the modern day enough for you?

[Chavo]

Actually, I believe that a hard drive is less essential in the 'modern' computer than it was say 10 years ago.  Flash memory has advanced quite a bit.  If a device doesnt need more than a few gigs of storage room, a hard drive is not necessary at all.

[Sidoh]

@Sidoh:
I could remove the HD from my computer right now, stick in a Linux LiveCD, have my network card autoconfigured, and log on Gaim and talk to you (if you unblock me) and post here on the forums, all without a hard drive. Does that relate to the modern day enough for you?

It's not practical, Joe.  Use your brain.

[Blaze]

I can run my computer without a harddrive.