serial number for OS X

[WhiteKnuckles]

Yes I know Im new to the mac but bare with me. I just aquired a ibook 800 G3. Im a former pc'r and have a few questions. I would like to install a clean install of OS X 10.2 and was wondering if i need a serial number for it. First I bought the computer with no software. Then I aquired OS X and all the ibook trimings second hand. They said it wasnt registered. ( I hope) I have no idea -- This is like learning spanish I just think english first then try to translate. any suggestions on where to begin?

[tdhurst]

SHHHHHHH!!!!!
Just install the OS, don't register it. I have done it five times so far...shhhhh!

[Horrortaxi]

There is no serial number.

[tdhurst]

Originally posted by Horrortaxi
There is no serial number.

That is pretty much what I was implying. You don't have to register it, ever, either.

[Powerbook G5]

If you register you can get a free one year subscription to Mac World, though.

[virividox]

if you install it on multiple machines than technically thats illegal, no one will know, but its still wrong.

but u can if you want to because there is no serial code, or xp style id key.

[tdhurst]

Yeah, it's illegal, but they were technically all computers purchased by me...

[Horrortaxi]

Originally posted by appleretailguy
Yeah, it's illegal, but they were technically all computers purchased by me...
But what kind of license did the OS have? Probably for a single computer.

[kettle]

I thougt they could tell how many versions were installed on what machines when a user accessed the software update app. I mean that if you have two machines at home they can tell if they are installed off the same install disc. Feel free to shoot me down 'cause I have no info to back up this statement.:) Anyway, they may not have a serial based key, but they still gather the information to make calculated judgement with.
Just thought I would add that.

[MisterMe]

Originally posted by kettle
I thougt they could tell how many versions were installed on what machines when a user accessed the software update app. I mean that if you have two machines at home they can tell if they are installed off the same install disc. Feel free to shoot me down 'cause I have no info to back up this statement.:) Anyway, they may not have a serial based key, but they still gather the information to make calculated judgement with.
Just thought I would add that. Consider yourself shot down.

[bousozoku]

They only require serial numbers for Mac OS X Server. However, from the looks of it, maybe they should go to it. I doubt it would be much more trouble to add the code into the client Mac OS X. It would be a pain to maintain all those serial numbers, though.

[idkew]

Originally posted by bousozoku
They only require serial numbers for Mac OS X Server. However, from the looks of it, maybe they should go to it. I doubt it would be much more trouble to add the code into the client Mac OS X. It would be a pain to maintain all those serial numbers, though.


you mean you actually WANT to go through the crap that windows users have to deal with?

[bousozoku]

Originally posted by idkew
you mean you actually WANT to go through the crap that windows users have to deal with?

Mac OS X Server doesn't require all the mess that Windows XP does, even though it requires a serial number.

I'm just thinking that, if everyone paid their way, Apple might be able to reduce the price by $30 retail.

[strider42]

Originally posted by appleretailguy
That is pretty much what I was implying. You don't have to register it, ever, either.

if you do what you did, legally you have to buy the 5 user license, which costs 200 bucks. basically, you get 4 extra licenses for another 70 bucks. thats the only legal way to install the OS on more than one machine, thougn apple smartly doesn't bother with registration and serial numbers and all that crud that stops no one from pirating who wants to.

[idkew]

Originally posted by bousozoku
I'm just thinking that, if everyone paid their way, Apple might be able to reduce the price by $30 retail.

and if the world were perfect.....

[MisterMe]

Originally posted by bousozoku
Mac OS X Server doesn't require all the mess that Windows XP does, even though it requires a serial number.

I'm just thinking that, if everyone paid their way, Apple might be able to reduce the price by $30 retail. Have you priced other Unixen lately? You can be assured that the $129 undiscounted price of MacOS X 10.3 is a small fraction of the true retail value of the product. Heck, there is even shrinkwrapped boxes of Linux that cost more than $129 from vendors who bear little of the Linux's development costs. Let's not even talk about the retail price of M$ WinXP Pro. Apple is practically giving Panther away. The notion that serializing MacOS X will allow Apple to reduce its price is a pipedream.

[bousozoku]

Originally posted by MisterMe
Have you priced other Unixen lately? You can be assured that the $129 undiscounted price of MacOS X 10.3 is a small fraction of the true retail value of the product. Heck, there is even shrinkwrapped boxes of Linux that cost more than $129 from vendors who bear little of the Linux's development costs. Let's not even talk about the retail price of M$ WinXP Pro. Apple is practically giving Panther away. The notion that serializing MacOS X will allow Apple to reduce its price is a pipedream.

Compared to NeXT, they certainly are giving it away. The NeXT development system cost thousands of dollars by itself.

It should be about volume, which requires keeping the price lower. There are many mechanisms available to Apple. Why shouldn't those who are one release behind current get a better price than those who are two or more? (Apple spies this and ups the price to $159 for those still on Mac OS 9! :D)

[MisterMe]

Originally posted by bousozoku
....

It should be about volume, which requires keeping the price lower. There are many mechanisms available to Apple....Yes, yes, yes, a lot of us understand economies of scale and all that. However, you can't sell a million widgets at a loss and make it up in volume.

[bousozoku]

Originally posted by MisterMe
Yes, yes, yes, a lot of us understand economies of scale and all that. However, you can't sell a million widgets at a loss and make it up in volume.

Sorry. I wasn't trying to talk down to anyone.

I wonder how Apple can sell all those copies of Server with the XServe with that lovely licence. The hardware is a good deal before the unlimited licence. :)

[sonofslim]

why is it that apple doesn't require any registration/serialization for their OS?

[P-Worm]

Originally posted by sonofslim
why is it that apple doesn't require any registration/serialization for their OS?

Becuase they're awesome.

P-Worm

[idkew]

Originally posted by sonofslim
why is it that apple doesn't require any registration/serialization for their OS?

because apple users are not criminals by default, like pc users seem to be treated.

[cleo]

Purely hypothetical question here... ;)

If one were to purchase a new iBook that came with Panther, and if one owned an older Indigo iBook still running Jaguar, would one be able to use the install disks that came with the new computer to upgrade the older one? And, hypothetically of course, an iMac as well?

And what about iLife? If one installed the same copy on multiple computers, would it catch you when you tried Rendevous music sharing?

[Powerbook G5]

Legally it would be wrong to do so, but if you were to install Panther onto all three computers, it'd work on all of them just the same.

[MisterMe]

Originally posted by cleo
Purely hypothetical question here... ;)

If one were to purchase a new iBook that came with Panther, and if one owned an older Indigo iBook still running Jaguar, would one be able to use the install disks that came with the new computer to upgrade the older one? And, hypothetically of course, an iMac as well?

And what about iLife? If one installed the same copy on multiple computers, would it catch you when you tried Rendevous music sharing? Generally, Macs don't come with install disks. They come with System Restore disks.

[oldschool]

The only reason apple doesn't require a serial is because the only computers you can install their OS on are computers purchased from them.

If Apple was purely a software company like microsoft, then i can be quite sure they would add a serial to their OS.

[cleo]

Originally posted by MisterMe
Generally, Macs don't come with install disks. They come with System Restore disks.

What's the difference? And would that prevent me from upgrading an older iBook?

[WhiteKnuckles]

I got the file to disk copy but i can not burn it any directions?

Image name: MS Office X.dmg
Image Format: UDIF read only

What does it all mean???

[jacg]

iLife doesn't have a serial number, so if it was installed on two networked computers they would be none the wiser.

The pro apps such as FCP, ST and Livetype on the other hand get upset and quit if you try to run more than one installation on the same network. As do Office X apps. Fair enough, I guess.

[Duff-Man]

Duff-Man says....Apple is *very* generous with the "family pack" license scheme. If you are goping to install the OS or iLife on more than one computer in your *home* then there is really no excuse not to spend the few extra $$ and buy the proper license.....oh yeah!

PB G5 - IIRC, the free year of MacWorld is actually 6 months and is only on computers, not the OS.

WhiteKnuckes - is your Office X image something you downloaded? If so, asking for help with pirating is not much tolerated.....

[rainman::|:|]

Originally posted by cleo
What's the difference? And would that prevent me from upgrading an older iBook?

When you pop the disc in, it should immidiately tell you that it's not the right model, so it can't continue. there's no way around this that i've found, im sure it's based on the gestalt ID number.

paul

[sethypoo]

Originally posted by Powerbook G5
If you register you can get a free one year subscription to Mac World, though.

Wow, I did not know that.

Where do you go to register it?

[Duff-Man]

Originally posted by sethypoo
Wow, I did not know that.

Where do you go to register it? Duff-Man says....you go to http://register.apple.com/ to register Apple products....but as I said above, IIRC the free macWorlds is 6 months and only on "big ticket" items like computers, not a small software purchase like the OS......oh yeah!