COA and disk question?

[bombledmonk]

Can I sell an OEM computer with a Win98 COA attatched to it but without the disk? I recently came across a few computers with no disks and was wondering if it was a problem?

[EvilRick]

OEM does not have to have a disk provided. Just a means to access the OS files.

Most OEMs just create a recovery partition and/or send a disk w/ an image. You do have to provide the OS files, they do not have to be on a separate disk.

[bombledmonk]

How would it work if I sold computers without HDs (because these were from a bank and had the HDs destroyed). I have no way to include OS files as copying a Windows 98 OEM install cd (which I do have from another computer) is illegal isn't it? Would I end up having to just tear the COA off and trash it to sell the computer here or just not include the COA in the listing?

[bombledmonk]

bump this up

[EvilRick]

Technially, it's not an OEM PC w/o the HDD, so I would say go for it. I would sell it that way. You're not selling it as an OEM PC so you're not breaking any "rules" that I can tell. The sticker attached is for an OEM copy of Windows. If the person you sell it to comes by an OEM CD and installs using that key, so be it. The key is still married to that PC as far as I see it.

You cannot advertise that it has an OEM COA though since you're not selling it as an OEM PC so leave that part out. You're selling a case w/ parts in it.

[bombledmonk]

So if I were to install win98 on my one spare HD for each computer and image of each of those onto a CD would that be within legal bounds?

[EvilRick]

As long as it was installed w/ the key on the box, I believe it is.

The COA/key is "married" to the PC once it's installed. You cannot install that COA/key on another PC. Just changing the HDD does not make it a new PC so you should be golden.

I would just create a directory on the HDD w/ "WIN98" or whatever the OS files are so you're complying w/ the OEM credo.