Questions with buying Win7 While it's cheap

[XGUNTHERC]

So, Windows 7 Release prices are more than I was thinking, or hoping they'd be.

Anyways, I'm not sure what to do here. As I no longer have my old motherboard and Vista Disk and serial, as I sold them together. So I can't do an Upgrade. (or can I)

I'm not sure what one I should buy.. I don't really "need" ultimate either, as it's not all that much better for average users.

Also, I heard Technet is on sale at a discount offer of $250 right now, that is less than Win 7 Ultimate Edition. and I could use technet for many other things, Right?

What would be my best route here, as Win 7 is ALL that is on my current PC.

Thanks!

 

[DJG]

Keep in mind that you're not supposed to use Technet stuff as your everyday, main licensed product, only for evaluation purposes ...

 

[zigzag3143]

buying win7

So, Windows 7 Release prices are more than I was thinking, or hoping they'd be.

Anyways, I'm not sure what to do here. As I no longer have my old motherboard and Vista Disk and serial, as I sold them together. So I can't do an Upgrade. (or can I)

I'm not sure what one I should buy.. I don't really "need" ultimate either, as it's not all that much better for average users.

Also, I heard Technet is on sale at a discount offer of $250 right now, that is less than Win 7 Ultimate Edition. and I could use technet for many other things, Right?

What would be my best route here, as Win 7 is ALL that is on my current PC.

Thanks!

Technet is a good option (when discounted) for people who have more than one machine. you get a lot of bang for your money.

I am however of 2 minds. I wont need server software, or multi copies and there is always the pre-order price now on.

so its 6 of one half a dozen of the other.

Ken

 

[XGUNTHERC]

not sure what that meantt ken..

lol basically i have 2, well 3 pcs and a laptop that all need win 7 as one has xp. and rest have vista and i have win 7 on my pc and laptop.. so the discounted technet account will be cheaper than getting 7 for 4 systems..

i think i'll just geet technet, and maybe resign up when my year ends.

thanks guys. ill just go with technet

 

[xan K]

so, can you keep using your license key after the 1-year subscription period is over?

 

[zigzag3143]

buying win 7

not sure what that meantt ken..

lol basically i have 2, well 3 pcs and a laptop that all need win 7 as one has xp. and rest have vista and i have win 7 on my pc and laptop.. so the discounted technet account will be cheaper than getting 7 for 4 systems..

i think i'll just geet technet, and maybe resign up when my year ends.

thanks guys. ill just go with technet

Sorry abt that it was while my brain was on hold. i like the technet idea for myself. I have 4 desktops and a lapbrick. So for me it makes sense. At the rate MS puts out software it almost makes sense just for the new versions. Technet also has so much other material that would i itself make it worthwhile.

For the average PC user probably not.

Ken

 

[harpua]

I would have loved to do the Technet thing, but since I have only one PC to worry about and am satisfied with my existing Office 07, the discounted upgrade price of $50 for 7 Home Premium seemed the way to go for me.

For a person who needs to obtain the latest legal version of Office and/or who has mulitple machines they want to put 7 on, Technet at $250 is a great deal.

 

[holo88]

Keep in mind that you're not supposed to use Technet stuff as your everyday, main licensed product, only for evaluation purposes ...

riiigghhht... im think of investing in technet. so ican evaluate the hell out stuff.
is it true you get a freeby netbook with that too? think i read that somewhere. not my cup of tea, but im not one to turn down free stuff. (self-pun, im drinkin tea )

 

[jbarr]

Can someone please elaborate the TechNet "solution"? This sounds intriguing, though I would have to purchase a NEW subscription, not a renewal. What are the details? What are the limitations?

Thanks!!

 

[Snufffed]

so, can you keep using your license key after the 1-year subscription period is over?

This I have been told is NO. once your subscription runs out. its over.

sort of like a season ticket to swim, or football.

 

[Sammy]

Can someone please elaborate the TechNet "solution"? This sounds intriguing, though I would have to purchase a NEW subscription, not a renewal. What are the details? What are the limitations?

Thanks!!

http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/subscriptions/bb892756.aspx
What are TechNet Plus subscriptions? | TechNet Plus Subscriptions
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/subscriptions/ms772427.aspx

 

[andych]

This I have been told is NO. once your subscription runs out. its over.

sort of like a season ticket to swim, or football.

Technet licenses are full retail licenses and do not expire.....the software is also full retail software.

 

[ecjp]

Technet licenses are full retail licenses and do not expire.....the software is also full retail software.

Says who?

The software itself may not expire, but my reading of the TechNet license agreement just now suggests that your license to use any software/keys obtained through TechNet expires with your subscription.

Ie sure, it still works, but isnt legal.

Anyone care to confirm/deny?

 

[jbarr]

TechNet Plus: Compare Direct Subscriptions & Single User Subscriptions
What are TechNet Plus subscriptions? | TechNet Plus Subscriptions
TechNet Plus Blog | IT Professional Community | Newsgroup Support

Thanks for the info!!!!!!

 

[XGUNTHERC]

It says right in those links this.

Full-version evaluation software without time limits

witch means that it's the full version, and it doesn't ever expire, but they'd like you to uninstall, or renew when your subscripion to technet ends.. So basically, I have 3 PC's and 2 laptops that need upgrades. 3 of the machines have NO OS other than Win 7, so no way to do upgrades. only one I could use the old XP disk and upgrade with, plus I need Office 7 and other things, this makes a great deal. Plus the coupon code going around, Tech net account is only $249, thats a steal. much better than buying Home Premium, or Ultimate for all my machines, and I can use them as LOOOOONG as I'd like.. and I may or may not renew later next year, depends on if I need to.

 

[ccatlett1984]

It says right in those links this.



witch means that it's the full version, and it doesn't ever expire, but they'd like you to uninstall, or renew when your subscripion to technet ends.. So basically, I have 3 PC's and 2 laptops that need upgrades. 3 of the machines have NO OS other than Win 7, so no way to do upgrades. only one I could use the old XP disk and upgrade with, plus I need Office 7 and other things, this makes a great deal. Plus the coupon code going around, Tech net account is only $249, thats a steal. much better than buying Home Premium, or Ultimate for all my machines, and I can use them as LOOOOONG as I'd like.. and I may or may not renew later next year, depends on if I need to.

FYI as the license reads, your keys expire if you let your subscription lapse, you are supposed to cease using those licenses then. Currently MS does not blacklist the keys that were generated to former technet subscribers. (mainly to ease the pain if a sub. doesnt get renewed right away) It would be really easy for them to blacklist the keys after a 6month grace period.

 

[zrtom]

FYI as the license reads, your keys expire if you let your subscription lapse, you are supposed to cease using those licenses then. Currently MS does not blacklist the keys that were generated to former technet subscribers. (mainly to ease the pain if a sub. doesnt get renewed right away) It would be really easy for them to blacklist the keys after a 6month grace period.

I've read the License Terms (here: TechNet Plus Subscriptions License Terms) several times and cannot see where the keys expire if the subscription lapses and that licensees are then supposed to cease using the software. Indeed, the front page highlights no time limits:

Evaluate.
Full-version software with no time limits.
Evaluate full-version commercial software products like Windows 7 Release Candidate without time or feature limits, including these titles:

Windows 7 Release Candidate
Windows Server 2008
SQL Server 2008
Microsoft Office System

Could you point to where in the License Terms it says keys expire and use ends with the subscription? Maybe I'm missing something. Thanks.
Tom

 

[XGUNTHERC]

thats what I thought as well.. They are not time limited, so what they are saying is they are full versions of the items, and they will work forever, but they are not to be used in a business, and not to be sold, or shared and such. They are personal copies of the software, for people to demo, and try out. But they don't stop working when your account ends.

plus, I'll probably renew anyways

 

[ccatlett1984]

I've read the License Terms (here: TechNet Plus Subscriptions License Terms) several times and cannot see where the keys expire if the subscription lapses and that licensees are then supposed to cease using the software. Indeed, the front page highlights no time limits:

Could you point to where in the License Terms it says keys expire and use ends with the subscription? Maybe I'm missing something. Thanks.
Tom

The word "evaluate" means to try out. Which implies that its not for permanent use.

But its not a once only payment, you have to renew the subscriptions every year - if you don't then legally once your subscription expires the software has to be removed.

When speaking to the Technet help desk once - they said you can have the same licence on 1 or 100 computers for evaluation purposes.

There are different levels of subscriptions for Technet & MSDN.

When I filled out my original application form, I had to enter (from memory - thats a while back now) all my company details, then someone in MS has to have a look and approve or disapprove the application - its not automatic - as MS did phone me to clarify one minor inconsistancy.

 

[jbarr]

The License Terms do state:

"...You may use the evaluation software only to evaluate it. You may not use it in a live operating, in a staging environment...."

That seems pretty clear to me. While your home may not be a business, it can certainly be considered a "live operating" environment.

Beyond a lawyer's interpretation (which I am not) how you interpret the license is really be based on how your personal ethics define how long the evaluation period should last. If you are purchasing an evaluation license to use long-term in a production environment, you are, in my opinion, breaking the agreement.