virtualbox.org

Recently bought a laptop that said it had Windows 7. Imagine my disappointment when it turned out it was a watered down version that constantly threw adverts at me - this ought to be illegal, I have been ripped off.

In fact it has 'Windows 7 (loader)'. Have made a recovery DVD set. Is it possible to use these DVD's to make a Windows 7 guest inside VirtualBox preferrably inside a Linux host? Sorry if this has been asked n times before but have been unable to search it up.

I doubt it. Most recovery DVDs look for specific hardware that will not be presented from VirtualBox.

Perryg wrote:I doubt it. Most recovery DVDs look for specific hardware that will not be presented from VirtualBox.

Aargh .... why do people let Microsoft rip them off like that?

I say you are half way there. Just just go ahead and replace it with Linux and forget your problems.

Do what I did:

1. Go to Modedit: Removed link and download the Windows 7 install disk*
2. Mount the ISO file as the CD-ROM for VBox
3. Install on VM using the CD-Key that comes with your laptop (Usually on a sticker underneath)
4. Activate. You may not be able to do online activation, as the hardware change might be too much for the online system to verify. However if you call in and do it over the phone, the automated process will verify you with no issues.

*You can download the version that comes with your laptop specifically, or you can follow the directions at the bottom to make the iso into a universal disk.

This is a perfectly valid method of using Windows 7 as the EULA for it (unlike Vista) specifically allows for running in a Virtual Machine, as long as it is still on the computer the version of Windows shipped with, and it is the only copy on the computer (i.e. the Terms of Use do NOT allow you to create multiple VMs with the same Windows, or create a VM inside of Windows 7 with the same Windows 7 license running on it.)

Modedit: don't link to sites where you can download licensed software without paying for it.

Perryg wrote:I say you are half way there. Just just go ahead and replace it with Linux and forget your problems.

As much as I'd like to agree with that assesment, The unfortunate reality is that there are still programs that you can't replace with Linux versions, or will not run in Wine. MS still has the market share, and as such we need to live with their software. Thankfully we can minimize our interaction as much as possible these days.

jsmith77 wrote:This is a perfectly valid method of using Windows 7 as the EULA for it (unlike Vista) specifically allows for running in a Virtual Machine, as long as it is still on the computer the version of Windows shipped with, and it is the only copy on the computer (i.e. the Terms of Use do NOT allow you to create multiple VMs with the same Windows, or create a VM inside of Windows 7 with the same Windows 7 license running on it.)

Great thanks. Two questions if I may: So I don't have to pay anybody anything? And I'm only allowed a single instance of Windows 7 - Currently dual booting Windows 7 (loader) and Debian Linux, was wanting to put a second instance of Windows 7 into VirtualBox inside Linux (heard it's a reasonably safe way of banking as long as it never talks to anything except the bank)?

No charge. All you're downloading from that site is the install software for Win7. You already have the CD-Key, which is technically what you're paying for with any software these days.

As for the Vbox being a second instance of windows, well, the EULA and TOU specify that you can only have one copy of windows per CD-Key. Do with that as you will.

Though, I have to ask, if you're planning on JUST using the virtual machine for banking, why go to the trouble? why not just use VirtualBox inside of Windows and put a copy of Linux in that to access your webbanking?

Jsmith, you are wrong about the license being allowed to be run in a VM. OEM versions are NEVER allowed to run in a VM. Why? Because they are pre-installed on the computer and are not allowed to be moved to another machine, be it physical or virtual. A virtual machine is in essence separate hardware. This is in the license agreement for Windows 7 OEM:

1. OVERVIEW.
b. License Model. The software is licensed on a per copy per computer basis. A computer is a
physical hardware system with an internal storage device capable of running the software. A
hardware partition or blade is considered to be a separate computer.

2. INSTALLATION AND USE RIGHTS.
a. One Copy per Computer. The software license is permanently assigned to the computer with
which the software is distributed. That computer is the “licensed computer.”

This can be found at http://www.microsoft.com/About/Legal/EN ... fault.aspx. The PDF with the license agreement describes it all.


Lugoteehalt:
If the OS contains ads, then it would have to be additional software that's bundled with the hardware. This can be removed. If it's not the case, then the shop you got it from is not following the MS agreement for software distribution and should be turned in.

lugoteehalt wrote:Aargh .... why do people let Microsoft rip them off like that?

It's not MS that rips them off, it's the OEM manufacturer that does. They decide to either give you a full reinstall media, or some lousy recovery media/option that brings you back to the same junk filled state that you got the machine with.

jsmith77 wrote:Though, I have to ask, if you're planning on JUST using the virtual machine for banking, why go to the trouble? why not just use VirtualBox inside of Windows and put a copy of Linux in that to access your webbanking?

The bank only accepts Windows and Mac. I can trick it with a browser masquerade apparently but am nervous of doing this for fear of invalidating the dubious quarantee - if you are not part of the fraud you get your money back (how to prove you're not part of the fraud).

Thanks sasquatch: So am I right therefore in thinkingthat what smith77 proposes will work but is illegal?

Only way to be 100% sure is ask MS. We're no license expert and only interpret the EULA as we do as an individual. What the company actually means with it may be different.

Btw, if my bank would deny me access to internet banking just because I don't want to run Windows or Mac OSX, I would switch to another bank. If all the banks do that, then I would start a law suite. I would probably win it (freedom of speech, freedom of choice). Being told what OS I MUST run is the last thing I allow. I have my own rights and no bank is going to break that.
Of course, I would appeal to the bank first to support Linux and it's browsers. 'Cause why block Firefox on Linux, but allow Firefox on Windows and OSX?

Thanks. Interesting thread to my 'mind'. The bank'll say it's the last thing it wants but it has yet to get it's technology as it would wish.