Windows 98 Licensing Requirements

I'm the owner of an OEM version of Windows 98, including
the CD, manual/COA.

I recently purchased an OEM Win98 Upgrade CD, which takes
me to Second Edition. It came with a product key only
(i.e., no manual or COA).

My question: am I required to have an additional Second
Edition COA/License, or does my existing "First Edition"
COA/License cover me running Win98 SE (I used quotes
because the Manual/COA simply has Windows98, since at the
time I don't believe they were doing a "Second Edition")?

I want to install Win98 and SE upgrade to several
computers, and need to know which license to purchase.
I've scoured the web, including MS' site, and can't find
any answers.

Thanks in advance for help you can provide!

Windows 98 and Windows 98 Second Edition are two entirely different products
in regard to licensing. Having a license for one does not grant you the
right to use the other. So any PC you want to put Windows 98 Second Edition
for must have a valid licensed copy of Windows 98 Second Edition.

And by the way, a "CD with a product key only" is not a valid licensed copy
of Windows. No Certificate of Authenticity - no license.

--
Richard G. Harper [MVP Win9x]
* PLEASE post all messages and replies in the newsgroups
* for the benefit of all. Private mail is usually not replied to.
* HELP us help YOU ... http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm


"Chris" wrote in message
...
I'm the owner of an OEM version of Windows 98, including
the CD, manual/COA.

I recently purchased an OEM Win98 Upgrade CD, which takes
me to Second Edition. It came with a product key only
(i.e., no manual or COA).

My question: am I required to have an additional Second
Edition COA/License, or does my existing "First Edition"
COA/License cover me running Win98 SE (I used quotes
because the Manual/COA simply has Windows98, since at the
time I don't believe they were doing a "Second Edition")?

I want to install Win98 and SE upgrade to several
computers, and need to know which license to purchase.
I've scoured the web, including MS' site, and can't find
any answers.

Thanks in advance for help you can provide!

Youi can use both of those on one PC and on a portable PC,
but to install 98 on more computers than that requires
purchasing a new licence for each PC, because 98 is being
supported until the end of June 2006.

Go to http://support.microsoft.com/ and click on the
Contact Microsoft link and get the information from the
horse's mouth.

Eric,
http://www.pcbuyerbeware.co.uk/
http://www.sharedbirthday.co.uk/

-----Original Message-----
I'm the owner of an OEM version of Windows 98, including
the CD, manual/COA.

I recently purchased an OEM Win98 Upgrade CD, which takes
me to Second Edition. It came with a product key only
(i.e., no manual or COA).

My question: am I required to have an additional Second
Edition COA/License, or does my existing "First Edition"
COA/License cover me running Win98 SE (I used quotes
because the Manual/COA simply has Windows98, since at the
time I don't believe they were doing a "Second Edition")?

I want to install Win98 and SE upgrade to several
computers, and need to know which license to purchase.
I've scoured the web, including MS' site, and can't find
any answers.

Thanks in advance for help you can provide!
.

Thank you for the quick reply!

Richard G. Harper wrote:
Windows 98 and Windows 98 Second Edition are two entirely
different products
in regard to licensing. Having a license for one does not
grant you the
right to use the other. So any PC you want to put Windows
98 Second Edition
for must have a valid licensed copy of Windows 98 Second
Edition.

That's what I was afraid of. So now, even though I've got
a COA for Windows 98 (FE), I need to buy a COA for each
computer that ends up running Win98 SE. Blah!

Micro$oft! Ka-ching!

Heh heh.

And by the way, a "CD with a product key only" is not a
valid licensed copy
of Windows. No Certificate of Authenticity - no license.

Yessir'. I was aware of that, which is why I indicated it
was a product key only, and not a product key with COA.

Thanks again for the reply. Time to go buy some COAs....


Take care,
Chris

Richard G. Harper wrote:
Windows 98 and Windows 98 Second Edition are two entirely
different products
in regard to licensing. Having a license for one does not
grant you the
right to use the other. So any PC you want to put Windows
98 Second Edition
for must have a valid licensed copy of Windows 98 Second
Edition.

I need SE *UPGRADE* COAs, correct? If I'm not mistaken,
each COA comes with a product key. The product keys for SE
Full Installs do not work with the SE Upgrade CD. I speak
from experience, since the key the retailer gave me with my
SE upgrade CD came with a full SE key. I had to contact MS
to get an SE upgrade key.

But I just wanted to clarify. Are there two COA types here
for Win98 SE? Full vs. Upgrade?

Thanks again for any help!


Take care,
Chris

I think your info is incorrect--one licensed copy of W98 cannot legally be
installed on more than one PC. At one time, Office could be installed on a
desktop and PC; however, I don't believe that can be done with newer
versions. Also, the 2006 date has no bearing--MS is not putting W98 in the
public domain so strictly speaking, a license will always be required.

--
Regards

Ron Badour, MS MVP for W98
Tips: http://home.satx.rr.com/badour
Knowledge Base Info:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?pr=kbinfo

"Eric" wrote in message
...
Youi can use both of those on one PC and on a portable PC,
but to install 98 on more computers than that requires
purchasing a new licence for each PC, because 98 is being
supported until the end of June 2006.

Go to http://support.microsoft.com/ and click on the
Contact Microsoft link and get the information from the
horse's mouth.

Eric,
http://www.pcbuyerbeware.co.uk/
http://www.sharedbirthday.co.uk/

-----Original Message-----
I'm the owner of an OEM version of Windows 98, including
the CD, manual/COA.

I recently purchased an OEM Win98 Upgrade CD, which takes
me to Second Edition. It came with a product key only
(i.e., no manual or COA).

My question: am I required to have an additional Second
Edition COA/License, or does my existing "First Edition"
COA/License cover me running Win98 SE (I used quotes
because the Manual/COA simply has Windows98, since at the
time I don't believe they were doing a "Second Edition")?

I want to install Win98 and SE upgrade to several
computers, and need to know which license to purchase.
I've scoured the web, including MS' site, and can't find
any answers.

Thanks in advance for help you can provide!
.

On Tue, 13 Jul 2004 07:19:20 -0500, "Ron Badour"
wrote:

I think your info is incorrect--one licensed copy of W98 cannot legally be
installed on more than one PC. At one time, Office could be installed on a
desktop and PC; however, I don't believe that can be done with newer
versions. Also, the 2006 date has no bearing--MS is not putting W98 in the
public domain so strictly speaking, a license will always be required.

Until 50 years froom the copyright date are up. That when it
expires. Unless Eff.org get it's way and allows copyrights to
expire soonner.

Greg R

Yes, there are two different CoA's involved. A Windows 98 Second Edition
"Full" version (not to be confused with the more common "OEM" version that
some less-than-scrupulous people sell as a "Full Version, Not for Upgrade")
will have a different CoA and Product Key than an "Upgrade" version. You
can't mix and match these licenses either.

--
Richard G. Harper [MVP Win9x]
* PLEASE post all messages and replies in the newsgroups
* for the benefit of all. Private mail is usually not replied to.
* HELP us help YOU ... http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm


"Chris" wrote in message
...
Richard G. Harper wrote:
Windows 98 and Windows 98 Second Edition are two entirely
different products
in regard to licensing. Having a license for one does not
grant you the
right to use the other. So any PC you want to put Windows
98 Second Edition
for must have a valid licensed copy of Windows 98 Second
Edition.

I need SE *UPGRADE* COAs, correct? If I'm not mistaken,
each COA comes with a product key. The product keys for SE
Full Installs do not work with the SE Upgrade CD. I speak
from experience, since the key the retailer gave me with my
SE upgrade CD came with a full SE key. I had to contact MS
to get an SE upgrade key.

But I just wanted to clarify. Are there two COA types here
for Win98 SE? Full vs. Upgrade?

Thanks again for any help!


Take care,
Chris