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Is VistaPE legal now?


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#1 jaymcjay

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Posted 19 December 2006 - 11:37 PM

When I first read the new licensing agreement for Vista, there was a caveat in #10: Backup Copy that sounded rather ominous. Read it here: http://download.micr...89cf5105718.pdf

After all, we're legally allowed to make BartPE / WinBuilder ISO's because we're simply making a backup copy of XP on CD... just not backing up ALL of it (specific files, changed files, etc. that happen to be able to boot). With this, however, we're only allowed to use the backup copy for reinstalling the software. I'm no lawyer, but I don't see any way to get around that legally.

Anybody else seeing this differently?

- Jeff

#2 Brito

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Posted 20 December 2006 - 12:33 PM

The license states that we're limited to install the OS only once, but it is not comparable since this is not a Vista OS install and not even a backup copy - it's completely based on windows PE 2.0 wich is included inside the vista boot dvd but is not Vista itself.

Now the question should be: Is windows PE itself is an OS under the perspective of MS? - And if so, does it also require us to buy a license in order to be used? :P

It's also good to notice that there's also the friendly freely available WAIK - wich also includes winPE 2.0 inside..


In my opinion I think MS has changed their restrictive attitude regarding these sort of developments because it's of their own interest to keep people using their software above all the rest, nothing to worry us about.. :P

#3 edborg

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Posted 19 January 2007 - 09:30 AM

The license states that we're limited to install the OS only once, but it is not comparable since this is not a Vista OS install and not even a backup copy - it's completely based on windows PE 2.0 wich is included inside the vista boot dvd but is not Vista itself.

Now the question should be: Is windows PE itself is an OS under the perspective of MS? - And if so, does it also require us to buy a license in order to be used?

It's also good to notice that there's also the friendly freely available WAIK - wich also includes winPE 2.0 inside..
In my opinion I think MS has changed their restrictive attitude regarding these sort of developments because it's of their own interest to keep people using their software above all the rest, nothing to worry us about.. :P

VistaPE is a project aimed to create environments based on Windows PE 2.0 and there is still a lot of work to do, but the results are quite promissing already since the PE image is already provided with Vista install DVD's or WAIK.

I've posted questions on this subject in the forum more than once, but never got an answer. :P
Do you mean that VistaPE can be built from WAIK, WITHOUT THE VISTA DVD?
If so, can you briefly outline the steps to take (install WAIK, install WinPE, etc)?
Thanks for clarifying. :P
edborg

#4 NightMan

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Posted 19 January 2007 - 09:52 AM

I've posted questions on this subject in the forum more than once, but never got an answer. :P
Do you mean that VistaPE can be built from WAIK, WITHOUT THE VISTA DVD?
If so, can you briefly outline the steps to take (install WAIK, install WinPE, etc)?
Thanks for clarifying. :P
edborg


hm... you will be need WAIK or Vista DVD for building VistaPE and you not need imagex for it, all will be included and will be fully legal... now we have small problem with "wimutil" (free imagex replacement) and next version will be available very soon...

#5 Alexei

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Posted 23 January 2007 - 03:32 AM

... next version will be available very soon...

:P
I'm waiting :P
:P
Alexei

#6 Yorn

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Posted 23 January 2007 - 08:15 PM

Microsoft probably wrote that legally ambiguous in order to cause confusion. If they don't like vistaPE, they are obligated to tell you first, they can't just try and sue because then they would be bullying. Just keep vistaPE free and Microsoft probably won't even care. Especially since it requires a Vista install DVD anyway, and how many people have an install DVD that would use a lightweight version of the OS instead of just installing it? Even a Beta Install DVD...

The bootland developers add far more beneficial support to Windows and Microsoft than you think. Look at ERD Commander. I think Sysinterals made that and it got to be so good that Microsoft felt obligated to buy them out, even though those two guys were really smart dudes as it is.

#7 was_jaclaz

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Posted 24 January 2007 - 09:33 AM

Look at ERD Commander. I think Sysinterals made that and it got to be so good that Microsoft felt obligated to buy them out, even though those two guys were really smart dudes as it is.


I have to somewhat disagree with you.

ERD commander is just a CMDCONS tweak + a few (nice and useful) programs.

I may be wrong, but as I see it the real value Microsoft got from acquiring Sysinternals is, as I see it, all inside Mark Russinovich's and Bryce Cogswell's heads.

I guess the guys have been hired to explain MS engineers how windows actually works, something that the latter ones seem like not fully knowing about.

:P

jaclaz

#8 MedEvil

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Posted 24 January 2007 - 11:03 AM

Winternals has been bought by M$?
There goes the neighborhood! :P

#9 Yorn

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Posted 26 January 2007 - 03:57 PM

I have to somewhat disagree with you.

ERD commander is just a CMDCONS tweak + a few (nice and useful) programs.

I may be wrong, but as I see it the real value Microsoft got from acquiring Sysinternals is, as I see it, all inside Mark Russinovich's and Bryce Cogswell's heads.

I guess the guys have been hired to explain MS engineers how windows actually works, something that the latter ones seem like not fully knowing about.

:P

jaclaz


Actually, you're quite right. The real value was what they know. If I remember right, they teach the classes to the engineers, which is really odd, because they know more about how Windows works than all the new engineers do. I guess people moved up so fast at MS they didn't bother training their replacements.

#10 Alexei

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Posted 04 February 2007 - 12:36 PM

I may be wrong, but as I see it the real value Microsoft got from acquiring Sysinternals is, as I see it, all inside Mark Russinovich's and Bryce Cogswell's heads.
I guess the guys have been hired to explain MS engineers how windows actually works, something that the latter ones seem like not fully knowing about.
:P
jaclaz

I think MS just wanted them to shut up :P
As I understand, Russinovich signed NDA (non disclosure agreement). That means he's not allowed to share his findings with the public freely, "all inside Mark Russinovich's and Bryce Cogswell's heads" is lost to us forever :P
Great loss, big shame :P

Alexei




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