Just so you know, most purchases like this will require a minimum of 5 licenses (used to be 10 or so, but there has been a major restructure of licensing). There are 2 ways to get this that I know of:
 
1. Go to a VAR (Value-Added Reseller) like CDW, Merisel, Ingram-Micro. CDW is your best bet.
 
2. Check out Pricewatch.com and you will more than likely find sites offering these licenses. You will usually get one CD, and a certificate with the key on it.
 
------------------
Regards,
 
clutch

5 license min is not a problem at all
 
it's a matter of the OS NOT having the hardware bind.

corporate editions w/o activation=back to square one+pirates laughing at ignorant masses.

The activation isn't a problem. I'll register it.
 
I just don't want it whining when I change out my parts.
 
 
Remember, I could just as easily pirate the thing...or get cracks for it.
 
I'm looking for a >legitimate< way to get the OS they want money for, with fewer possibilities for hassles.
 
[This message has been edited by INFERNO2000 (edited 30 March 2001).]

Quote:<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by bug_666:
corporate editions w/o activation=back to square one+pirates laughing at ignorant masses.</font>
I'd like to point out that my copy of Win2K Server is a corporate edition, and has no activiation. I just drop in the CD, and don't even have to put in a serial number to install it. this is not the case with my copy of Win2K Pro though. This will not be anything new.

-bZj

So would that mean that XP Personal would have activation and XP Pro wouldnt?

Purchasing a corporate version of Windows XP wouldn't be any hassle at all.
There is no minimum purchase, with the new Open License you can order a single copy.
This is how we purchase our Win98 - Win2k upgrades.
Upgrade license for each one and a single 'Media Kit' which contains the Win98-Win2k upgrade with no CD Key required.
WindowsXP will be available to the corporate market in a similar format.
However, with reference to a couple of posts in this thread:
 
No the pirates wont be laughing etc.
Microsoft have said that all 'non activation' copies of the software are going to be logged and traceable.
They aren't just going to allow anybody to get their hands on activation free versions.
If an activation free version of WinXP appears for download anywhere, in theory MS can trace exactly who that copy of the software was sold to and take whatever action they deem fit.
If somebody want's to ***** a corporate edition of the OS it's their choice.
If they still work for the company that originaly purchased that media set they would face the sack once MS knocked on that companies door.

Corporate version isn't the same as pro
 
you could buy corporate versions of Personal, if you wanted to.
 
The copies are designed for corporations that don't want to have to bind their copies to computers, they want to pop in the CD if something screws up, and it'll run without the registration hassles.
 
But, you've already paid for the license,which is usually priced a little bit higher for this feature.
 
 
This isn't a corporation that's buying it
 
it's a bunch of(currently about 15 of my friends) 19-21 year old guys that are still in college.
 
I don't mind them tracing it...that's fine with me.
 
and blade? something is asterisked out...what does it say?

I have heard that there will be an all in wonder key like there is for office xp. If that is the case you should be able to find one of those pretty easy and use it on your regular version. This is of course all speculation but i think that it will most likely happen.

LOL
How am I supposed to say what was ****'ed out.
As soon as I type it again it will dissapear
It was the good old w word, followed by a, r, z.
You'll need to have a chat with an MS license re-seller to see if you qualify.
It is highly possible that MS will only be supplying the unlocked editions to large corporations, proove your large enough and we'll sell it to you, that kind of thing.

I plan on emailing MS about it when it gets closer to shipment...
 
And corporate will prevent me from having to crack/wherez/etc. it.
 
I want to have it legitimately, without any hassle.
I can't stress that enough.

i sugested the key thing cause that would still be legit since you bought it.

According to our VAR and what I have read, the Open License program only works if you have a minimum amount of licenses to start with (200 for instance), then you can add more to your account individually.
 
------------------
Regards,
 
clutch

The SELECT vers of Windows 2000 Pro,Server,AS are exactly the same as the Retail versions except for one file (SETUPP.INI). Simply modify the last 4 numbers to the proper number and no more prompt for CD KEY.
 
As for the Select versions of Whistler I have no idea how they will be done but I am sure that there will be SELECT versions and I am sure they will have no check.

Quote:<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by INFERNO2000:
I want to have it legitimately, without any hassle.
I can't stress that enough.</font>

Me too If I have to do it the hassle way then I might as well just d/l the warez version with the cracks.
Why *pay money* for hassle?

Quote:<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by DosFreak:
The SELECT vers of Windows 2000 Pro,Server,AS are exactly the same as the Retail versions except for one file (SETUPP.INI). Simply modify the last 4 numbers to the proper number and no more prompt for CD KEY.

As for the Select versions of Whistler I have no idea how they will be done but I am sure that there will be SELECT versions and I am sure they will have no check.</font>

I tried entering the last 4 digits from my select copy of advanced server in the whistler beta 2 setupp.in file and it still asked for a cd key. I am sure that the select number is probably different now or something.