Q72095: Legally Purchasing Microsoft MS-DOS 5

Article: Q72095
Product(s): Microsoft Disk Operating System
Version(s): MS-DOS:5.0
Operating System(s): 
Keyword(s): 
Last Modified: 23-NOV-1999

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The information in this article applies to:

- Microsoft MS-DOS operating system version 5.0 
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY
=======

The legality of purchasing MS-DOS version 5.0 can seem confusing. This is
because Microsoft has two "MS-DOS 5.0"s.

Like earlier versions of Microsoft MS-DOS, Microsoft MS-DOS 5 is not available
for retail sale. It is licensed to computer manufacturers to be sold with a
computer, or to be purchased as an upgrade from the manufacturer.

The Microsoft MS-DOS 5 Upgrade, however, is a retail product that is not being
licensed to computer manufacturers. There is nothing wrong with purchasing the
Microsoft MS-DOS 5 Upgrade at a retail outlet.

The MS-DOS 5 Upgrade will upgrade a previous version of MS-DOS or PC-DOS to
MS-DOS version 5.0. A previous version of MS-DOS or PC-DOS is required, because
the MS-DOS 5 Upgrade does not contain a bootable diskette.

For more information on purchasing MS-DOS, please query on:

  " MS-DOS and retail " (without the quotation marks)

Additional query words: 5.00 noupd

======================================================================
Keywords          :  
Technology        : kbMSDOSSearch kbMSDOS500
Version           : MS-DOS:5.0

=============================================================================

THE INFORMATION PROVIDED IN THE MICROSOFT KNOWLEDGE BASE IS PROVIDED "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND. MICROSOFT DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. IN NO EVENT SHALL MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES WHATSOEVER INCLUDING DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, LOSS OF BUSINESS PROFITS OR SPECIAL DAMAGES, EVEN IF MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. SOME STATES DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OR LIMITATION OF LIABILITY FOR CONSEQUENTIAL OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES SO THE FOREGOING LIMITATION MAY NOT APPLY.

Copyright Microsoft Corporation 1986-2002.