Is it legal to use old OEM Vista key on another PC?

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Is it legal to use old OEM Vista key on another PC?

The problem.
I have an expensive scanner that doesn’t work with my shiny new Win8 desktop, and Canon are not going to develop an upgrade from XP. Not yet having bought a new scanner, we use the local stationery shop when copies are needed.

A recent piece by Fred Langa about running legacy XP apps in a VM made me wonder whether hardware could be used in the same way. Assured by bobprimak and others that it sometimes works, I downloaded Oracle Viurtualbox and spent some hours reading the manual. Yesterday evening I looked for the XP installation disc, but it was not to be found. It was probably thrown out
once I was happy with W8 and saw no likelihood of ever needing XP again. I did not visualise ever installing a VM.

So there is no way to install XP, but there are 2 OEM installation discs, supplied with the other two PCs since upgraded to Win8. Although they were obtained legally with the purchase of the PCs I feel I should be entitled to use them, but knowing that MS’s T & C are somewhat peculiar, I would like confirmation they can be used, and if not, is it possible for MS to know their rules have been broken? Also, as they are OEM, will the key work on a PC other than the one originally used.

TIA

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OEM versions of Windows are tied to the machine upon which they were originally installed. Also, the OS which was installed to upgrade the PC took over the license for the original OS.

Joe

--Joe

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I have an old Epson scanner (a 4490) which works perfectly on Win 8, the software is for XP (or before!). I reinstalled the software (but it’s possible that I didn’t actually need to – I had ‘lost’ the scan button, but it reinstalled OK). Have you actually tried Canon for an updated driver? And what may seem a rude question, are you sure it won’t work (have you tried reinstalling software etc.)?

My Canon printer (IP4500) is for Vista, but also works fine on Win8.

Maybe I’ve just been lucky.

Eliminate spare time: start programming PowerShell

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Joe,
Thanks for the info, which was as I feared.

Last night I trawled through scanners again, but there are still very few for W8 (none from Canon or Epson, and i wouldn’t touch HP), most are USB powered rather than mains, which is a disadvantage, and not one was flatbed, essential for my usage, even though the search was for ‘flatbed scanners’. I could experiment with Linux in the VM, as there are two Brother Scanners which will work with it, but they are not flatbed either.

Buying W7 just to use a scanner doesn’t make sense, so my only options are to continue using the stationer’s shop until a suitable scanner appears, or to get a long Ethernet cable and bring my old XP machine – currently used as an occasional foot rest – back into use. But connecting it up every time a scan is needed would be a bind.

access-mdb,
Yes, I made another attempt to install the scanner in W8 after reading the replies above, but without success. This time I continued with the troubleshooter – not noticed previously – but the end result was it’s not compatible. My IP 4700 also works perfectly with W8, which is what annoyed me about Canon not providing a patch for the scanner, when there is one for Vista. But I suppose Vista has more in common with W8 than is the case with XP.

George

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Last night I trawled through scanners again, but there are still very few for W8 (none from Canon or Epson, and i wouldn’t touch HP), most are USB powered rather than mains, which is a disadvantage, and not one was flatbed, essential for my usage, even though the search was for ‘flatbed scanners’. I could experiment with Linux in the VM, as there are two Brother Scanners which will work with it, but they are not flatbed either.

I am using a Canon MG5350 with Windows 8 without issues. It’s a multifunction printer and scanning works fine, now even with 8.1 Update 1. I would guess other Canon multifunction printers would work too (best check Windows 8 drivers are available, beforehand, for the specific model) and some of them can be bought from Amazon.Uk for as little as 50 pounds.

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I am using a Canon MG5350 with Windows 8 without issues. It’s a multifunction printer and scanning works fine, now even with 8.1 Update 1. I would guess other Canon multifunction printers would work too (best check Windows 8 drivers are available, beforehand, for the specific model) and some of them can be bought from Amazon.uk for as little as 50 pounds.

Thanks Rui,
I didn’t see that listed, not even on the Canon site, but I was looking for flatbed scanners. Apart from the issue of scanning from a newspaper – see previous post – the flatbed serves as a stand for one of my speakers, so that they are not both hidden behind the 21″ monitor. It also serves as a store for trading records, how to articles about PCs I have printed as a guide when making changes, and tickets for films, plays, etc that have been reserved in advance, printed and thus easy to find in a congested study. In order words, a flatbed scanner has many advantages.

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Three possible solutions, first have a look at this lifehacker page. If you have or can score a copy of WindowsXPMode mentioned and linked to in the article, they provide a technique for operation in Windows 8. Also the WindowsXPMode file can be incorporated and converted by an early version of VMWarePlayer to a fully functional VM that will run in Win 8.
Final method is if the old XP system is not an OEM install, VMWare provides a free program called vCenter Converter Standalone Client which will make short work of the XP install, converting it to a usable VM (works with VMWarePlayer only of course) that can be activated there and permanently retired on the physical install.

I’ve followed through with options B and C and they work a treat. I think I’ll have to try A just to see how easy it is to do even though I don’t use VirtualBox.

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Three possible solutions, first have a look at this lifehacker page. If you have or can score a copy of WindowsXPMode mentioned and linked to in the article, they provide a technique for operation in Windows 8. Also the WindowsXPMode file can be incorporated and converted by an early version of VMWarePlayer to a fully functional VM that will run in Win 8.

Hi Fun,
Something else to try, if anyone I know has Win 7 and is prepared to let me have a copy. But it looks somewhat complicated, possibly beyond my capabilities. But a whole new field of possibilities has opened.

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Have you tried a Linux distro (e.g. Mint or Ubuntu)? You can put one on a memory stick (using something like iso2usb) then boot off it. See if it works (some have found that their old hardware works on Linux, if that’s you please add your comments). If it does, you can make the PC dual boot or just run Linux from the stick. If it doesn’t, well you’re no worse off.

Eliminate spare time: start programming PowerShell

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Have you tried a Linux distro (e.g. Mint or Ubuntu)? You can put one on a memory stick (using something like iso2usb) then boot off it. See if it works (some have found that their old hardware works on Linux, if that’s you please add your comments). If it does, you can make the PC dual boot or just run Linux from the stick. If it doesn’t, well you’re no worse off.

I’ll look into this, but what is iso2usb? A version of Linux or an app for putting it on a USB stick?

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I’ll look into this, but what is iso2usb? A version of Linux or an app for putting it on a USB stick?

It’s an app to put an iso (e.g. a Linux distro) onto to a USB stick. I used this method to get data off a hard disk when it wouldn’t boot after a power cut (well a series of them). I haven’t tried running things like scanners so I can’t vouch for the Linux route, but it don’t cost nuffink, so you won’t be any worse off. And you might find you like Linux (e.g. Mint) to replace XP with anyway.

Eliminate spare time: start programming PowerShell

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What is the model of your Canon flat bed scanner?
— I know you’ve done a lot of research but I’ve seen flatbed scanners on Canon, HP, Fujitsu but I do not know what you are looking for
— Is one of the issues that you need a flat bed scanner for legal size or larger documents?
— I know you said forget HP, that’s your choice, but if Canon isn’t helpful for you why discard the possibility of HP or any other company?

If you want to continue using the flatbed scanner you have now with your XP computer, consider hooking them up & using them; you don’t have to be on-line to do so, or do you?
— It would save you trips to the local stationary shop

HP EliteBook 8540w laptop Windows 10 Pro (x64)

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What is the model of your Canon flat bed scanner?

Canocan 8000

Is one of the issues that you need a flat bed scanner for legal size or larger documents?

No, A4 is ample. But one of my uses of a scanner is to preserve articles from the press that I wish to keep, and cutting them out and trying to scan doesn’t work, as the columns are invariably too close together and the two or three columns become one line in the scan. So they have to be cut into separate columns and scanned separately. Apart from which newsprint is too flimsy to be successful in a feeder.

[/QUOTE] I know you said forget HP, that’s your choice, but if Canon isn’t helpful for you why discard the possibility of HP or any other company?[/QUOTE]

Apart from the fact I’ve seen quite a few bad reports about HP, my wife bought one and it only lasted a few months before failing. At that time i knew even less about Vista than now and it was consigned to scrap.

If you want to continue using the flatbed scanner you have now with your XP computer, consider hooking them up & using them; you don’t have to be on-line to do so, or do you? It would save you trips to the local stationary shop

I am considering that, as already mentioned, but a trip to the stationary shop would probably be quicker, although it would stop my collection of newspaper articles from waiting longer for a usable scanner.

Thanks for the suggestions.

PS. I have finally solved the puzzle of how loungers managed to intersperse quotes in a reply.

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My Canon 8800F flatbed scanner is fairly old, now, but still works like it should under Win7. If it works on Win7, it should be fine to work with Win8!!

If you need a disk image, of the driver disk I could create one for you. What model do you have?

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Well I just verified the lifehacker method; however that method starts a 30 day countdown for activation so for obvious reasons I would deem the VMWare player import method to be superior. 😉 I don’t even know if it’s possible to activate XPMode!?

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Is it legal to use old OEM Vista key on another PC?

No. End of story.

As for your scanner, you may be able to run it under Win 8, even though it’s not supported. I Still run a Canon N650U scanner on Win 7 – and that isn’t supported either. Installation was a bit fiddly, but the same process may work for you. See:
http://www.dr5.org/how-to-install-a-canoscan-n650u-scanner-on-vista-or-windows-7/
http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows_7-hardware/driver-for-canonscan-n650u-for-windows-7/0ca52c21-0c82-4202-b5f5-4ba5601d9797
FWIW, neither of those links quite reflects what I did, since I used the files on the original Canon installation disks.

Cheers,
Paul Edstein
[Fmr MS MVP - Word]

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I don’t know why taking a picture of the news clip wouldn’t work instead of scanning. A little practice might be needed but it could be a very reasonable alternative.

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I don’t know why taking a picture of the news clip wouldn’t work instead of scanning.

One good reason is that most digital cameras only produce jpg, which is a poor choice for scanning for OCR purposes and the point & shoot types also produce too much digital ‘noise’, which also degrades OCR performance. For OCR, you need crisp, high-contrast (preferably b/w) images. The smaller the print, the higher the image resolution needs to be.

Cheers,
Paul Edstein
[Fmr MS MVP - Word]

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Ages ago when I upgraded to Win7 I could not find a driver for my ancient Epson scanner. I ended up running an XP virtual machine (using VMWare Server at the time) and installed the scanner software there. Then when I needed to scan anything I fired up the XP VM; worked like a charm. Something similar might work for you, and be a lot easier than losing the use of your foot rest. 🙂

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UPDATE
Having spent 2-3 weeks on the problem of a Win8.1 upgrade which went wrong, it’s time to return to the issue of my scanner.

Linux on a USB stick seemed to be the most tempting solution, as I have often considered trying it as an alternative to Windows. Ubuntu was my choice, as Mint, which access-mdb prefers, said that installing on the hard drive or a USB stick was more difficult than on DVD, and only offered guidance for the latter.

I succeeded in getting Ubuntu to recognise the printer, but not in getting it to print anything. Consequently, I’m not at all sure how to install the scanner software, or whether it will work, but will revisit it tomorrow.

Unfortunately, the other suggestions failed, although VueScan seemed to be the solution, until I read the next message. It costs $80 with OCR, which is too expensive now there are reasonable flatbed scanners available for W8 at not a lot more. Canoscan 9000F, the successor to my 8000F, costs about £200 which is far too much for only occasional use of a scanner, as is the case since discovering that my old slides have deteriorated too much to be worth the time needed to digitise them.

Thanks for all the suggestions offered.

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Linux on a USB stick seemed to be the most tempting solution, as I have often considered trying it as an alternative to Windows. Ubuntu was my choice, as Mint, which access-mdb prefers, said that installing on the hard drive or a USB stick was more difficult than on DVD, and only offered guidance for the latter.

I succeeded in getting Ubuntu to recognise the printer, but not in getting it to print anything. Consequently, I’m not at all sure how to install the scanner software, or whether it will work, but will revisit it tomorrow.

Ubuntu is a spin-off of ever-steady Debian, and sifting through Linux distros to find one or more with (access to) specific drivers can be challenging. I would suggest trying a Debian kde-desktop (download the iso) from here:
64-bit: http://cdimage.debian.org/debian-cd/current-live/amd64/iso-hybrid/
32-bit with (686) or without (486) PAE: http://cdimage.debian.org/debian-cd/current-live/i386/iso-hybrid/

If you want to run Debian “Live” from a stick, first download the iso then use either of these:
http://www.pendrivelinux.com/yumi-multiboot-usb-creator/
http://www.linuxliveusb.com/

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Have you considered a second hand scanner. I had issues with my new canon flatbed scanner working when I was experimenting with dual boot linux, and it was solved by buying another scanner from the op shop for $5. A lot of people now have flatbed scanners built into multifunction printers so are happy to throw out, sell or give away old flat bed scanners. I now have both, the one in the MFP is great for day to day use as it has a document feeder option, but the old canon is far superior for colour photos.

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There’s another, elegant but not free, solution. Install VueScan . Works fine with Win8. It will run just about any scanner known to man. If OEM drivers are available, it uses them. For those old scanners for which Win7 or Win8 drivers aren’t available, Vuescan provides its own drivers. As a bonus, it provides a nicer user interface than most factory drivers. I’m using it with my old Epson Perfection 2450 scanner. Much more convenient than XP in a VM. The website has a very long list of supported scanners.

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There’s another, elegant but not free, solution. Install VueScan . Works fine with Win8. It will run just about any scanner known to man. If OEM drivers are available, it uses them. For those old scanners for which Win7 or Win8 drivers aren’t available, Vuescan provides its own drivers. As a bonus, it provides a nicer user interface than most factory drivers. I’m using it with my old Epson Perfection 2450 scanner. Much more convenient than XP in a VM. The website has a very long list of supported scanners.

Another suggestion is to use a scanner with feeder that is designed for long feeds. I have a NeatDesk scanner which I use for scanning receipts for everything I buy, including long grocery and pharmacy receipts which can be 3-ft long or better. It just keeps feeding until the paper comes to an end. There’s a cheapy and a more expensive version, but everything gets put in a database, and you can import external files so you don’t lose old data. Or even export Neat files to use in your old database. Works fine with flimsy receipts; actually, the flimsier the better. Regular paper takes some persuading to run through, because it was designed for very thin sheets.

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There’s another, elegant but not free, solution. Install VueScan . Works fine with Win8. It will run just about any scanner known to man. If OEM drivers are available, it uses them. For those old scanners for which Win7 or Win8 drivers aren’t available, Vuescan provides its own drivers. As a bonus, it provides a nicer user interface than most factory drivers. I’m using it with my old Epson Perfection 2450 scanner. Much more convenient than XP in a VM. The website has a very long list of supported scanners.

Thanks, but see #18 above.

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