That headline is a little misleading -- it's not "trying to extend life span of PCs" that got him into trouble it's trademark infringement and annoying Microsoft. Possibly, he also didn't read the various Windows licensing terms properly either as regards transferring licenses between machines and/or people.
This is why people should avoid Windows at all costs.

But he was NOT transferring the licence at all. All he was doing was providing/installing the source software for the licence that was already there with the machine. The COA stickers were there and the licence belongs with the machine, whoever has the machine.
MS can be very pernickety about installing their software. I once built a whole lot of identical machines and bought the install CDs and licences to go with them.
I wanted to sell the machines with all drivers and software installed, with just the name and addresses left to fill in. I set one up and cloned the disk to the other machines. MS objected and forced me to re-install Windows on each machine, though you can get a special OEM install version that can be cloned - leaving ALL the personalisation undone (as I found out later).

More proof that you do not own Windows or the PC it is on, you are leasing it from Microsoft. Licensing is their business. It's kind of like Universities and banks, they are just selling you a market product called debt, the rest is smoke and mirrors.

I don't know what the license says, so I was speculating that the license may not state that the software license changes ownership when the machine does. If you know otherwise, fair enough. I also don't know precisely which licence is required to use any specific "restore CD" or to transfer ownership of that and whether that is transferred with ownership of the machine or not, especially when the machine didn't come with a restore CD and the one you're using is from a Dell machine (I am assuming he made copies of the Dell restore CD or he's a complete moron for putting their name on them, rather than just an idiot for doing so).

MS Specifically point out that you do not OWN the licence on the licence.
They state that it grants you the right to USE their software on THAT machine. The licence stays with the machine NOT the person, and even then the machine has to remain effectively the same.

That is correct, with Microsoft, you never own any of their softwares, you are only buying a licence to use it, it always remains Microsoft's property.

One of the major reasons for using FOSS software, for me.

I very rarely use MS products, only while at a public computer briefly on the rare occasion to check something really quick.
There is so much still to learn about Linux for me, that I have no time for MS.

I spent a little time in the 'junk' room this morning installing 'Slink' on an old Toughbook I drug out of the pile. I thought it might help me with a problem I've been having with some more old hardware here: https://www.linuxquestions.org/quest...9/#post5823233

No help because I got the same timeout message - but it was fun.

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Seeing your post reminded me that there is at least one website that has old versions of distros, maybe this will be useful to some of you trying to keep the old hardware working.

https://old-linux.com/

This might just get an old one up & running.

https://www.kernel.org/pub/linux/kernel/

Thanks for these sites, really appreciated a lot.

I have much more to share, perhaps will do so in future.

Listen to all Radio on SDR:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L7RLJt4vZ_g

This is a good use for old computer with the SDR.

8W PC that fits in hand:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WDyM6SKLt24

10 Things to use from old tablet parts:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0uH6a2Pn06s

http://www.cbc.ca/radio/day6/episode...move-1.4546964

This is a very interesting analogy that is already being used for supercomputers. When considering old computers in bulk, considering their power consumption and storage cost, utility longterm, recycling them ASAP makes sense.

Are there any links that give tips on the use of old small/tiny motors found in printers ? If you come across any, please share, much appreciated. Thanks in advance.

Note: I searched but didn't find any such link.

Edited to add, found this video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uVcK9T9IfSQ

Lists these uses:
1. Theft alert alarm, using DC Motor, clip, 9v batter and Steel cup
2. Generator using DC Motor, it can be used to glow the led light and also charge the phone
3. 4 Wheel driven car which can do vertical climbing
4. Coin sorting Machine to sort the coins in minutes.
5. Electric screw driver for easy and quick operations.
6. How to make a boat using DC Motor
7. Bubble Machine using DC Motor,
8. Crazy alarm to wake us up on time
9. Dead battery car that runs like crazy and
10. DC Motor free energy charger