MEB wrote:

Why buy a win-98 cd from someone?

You think that that's the proper or legal way to obtain win-98?

Absolutely stupid argument. So because you believe legal
transference will not occur anyway, you suggest downloading
an illegal and likely hacked version from a torrent.

Yes I do.

And I've examined several such torrents and found them to be genuine -
not hacked.

If the purchased or otherwise CD has its own *real COA* with
it, it provides a legal method to avoid illegal activities

It does not garantee that the product key that accompanies the COA is
not still in use on a win-98 system being operated by or known to the
seller.

And there is no garantee that the COA will accompany the CD, or that
it's not a duplicate or a fake.

And there is no garantee that the CD/COA/Product-key is not for an OEM
version of win-98, one for which can't be installed on hardware other
than that for which it originally came installed on nor can be
transfered to a new owner WITHOUT the hardware on which it originally
came installed on.

and provides "peace of mind" to those who prefer to remain
on the bright side of Laws.

It does no such thing.

If someone wants to have a genuine win-98 CD, then fine - that's what
you *might* end up recieving from an e-bay vendor. If you're really
lucky, the CD and it's accompanying product key *might* be able to let
you install install itself on the hardware of your choice.

But that still doesn't mean that in the end you'll own and be operating
a valid license in the eyes of Microsoft.

Not that I'm against that. I fully support the downloading, uploading,
copying, sharing and using of all Microsoft software and product
activation keys in complete and utter violation of their EULA - because
Micro$haft is a psychopathic and criminal organization that does not
deserve protection under law of it's products.

This the *98 networking* group, keep your personal trash and
attempts to further illegal torrent activities in an
appropriate forum.

I didn't start this thread here in this newsgroup.