Full or OEM?

[bustr]

What is the current position by Microsoft on full version and OEM version of windows 7?

[maddafinga]

What is the current position by Microsoft on full version and OEM version of windows 7?

I could easily be totally wrong here, but based on what I read on the packaging of my OEM W7 disc, they are the same, but Microsoft won't do any tech help for free on the OEM version. 

But I'm far from an expert here, so like I say, I could very easily be wrong.

[Krusty]

Microsoft tech support?


*giggle*

Might be a good reason to buy OEM, just to keep them away?   

[maddafinga]

Microsoft tech support?


*giggle*

Might be a good reason to buy OEM, just to keep them away?   

Well that's a big reason why I didn't shell out for the official version and went with the OEM.  I've never used MS tech support ever, going back to Windows 95.  I figured that extra money for tech support I would never use anyway would just be dumb. 

[633DH98]

OEM version will not allow you to upgrade the motherboard whereas the Full Retail will.

[Krusty]

Is that new with Vista/Win7?  If so that's idiotic to the extreme.

[guncrasher]

OEM version will not allow you to upgrade the motherboard whereas the Full Retail will.

I upgraded my mobo and it did let me.  even if it doesnt buying another oem would still be cheaper than paying for the nice book you wont read.

semp

[Krusty]

Only hesitation I have is that many OEM Vista installs did that really stupid "separate program files folder" where it wasn't in the program files, but was linked to it... Really screwed up things with programs downloading files, installing files, custom additions, etc.

If Win7 did away with that crud, then I'd say have no reservations. If it's still around, might be more hassle down the road than getting the retail version.

[Getback]

Microsoft tech support?


*giggle*

Might be a good reason to buy OEM, just to keep them away?  

 

You do get 2 choices; you can call India direct or you can call MicroSoft and they will transfer you to India.

To the question, I really don't know. Get the cheapest one. I will tell you I did buy a bad copy of XP Home. So it happens.

[Tigger29]

OEM = Licensed to that specific computer.  If you replace it (or make enough hardware changes that makes windows think it's on a different computer), you're technically supposed to buy a new O/S.  This is 'technically' for installation onto a computer for resale purposes.  Example:  bustr builds a computer for Krusty.  Bustr installs OEM Windows on it and sells it to Krusty.  Krusty must got to bustr for tech support now, as Microsoft will say 'not our problem'.  Virtually all computer manufacturers use OEM versions on their systems.  There is no rules against installing this on your own system (AFAIK), but don't go crying to Microsoft for help if you need to.  Don't expect anything more than a disk and a OEM# sticker to put on the computer.

RETAIL = Purchased BY the end-user and it comes with all the bells and whistles (mostly a pretty box, manual, and a 1-800 number to call for help).  Typically this CAN be transferred to another system, providing it is uninstalled from the original system first... but I'm not exactly sure how Microsoft has it worded for Vista and 7.

[BaldEagl]

What Tigger said.  The OEM version keeps a "points" system with different amounts of points assigned to different hardware.  Too many points changes and the OS thinks it's in a different computer thereby violating the license agreement.  It will still work but won't allow you to download and install upgrades to the OS.  I have heard that this can be overcome with a call to MS but don't know if that's true or not.

The retail version allows unlimited upgrades and trasition from one machine to another but only the "official" machine will be eligable to receive upgrades.

[cattb]

I think I have the retail and not OEM, been so long can't remember. I have had to call MS (India) a few times due to the up grades and the hardware changes. I have never had a problem. A different time I had problems with my computer and had to reinstall a couple times. My computer came up with a notice that my OS was installed to many times. Once again called India and explained, no problem.

[oneway]

OEM version will not allow you to upgrade the motherboard whereas the Full Retail will.

Wrong...

OEM means there is no support...you cannot call in to have them explain how to plug in a USB cable...

OEM versions can be installed ad-infinitum on unique hardware footprints...BUT NOT CONCURRENTLY

Unless you need 'Microsoft Support'...its idiotic to purchase anything but an OEM version

If you buy a canned box from a vendor such as Dell...that OS is an OEM version...and by default support falls on Dell

If you buy the OEM version of software from Newegg..you can migrate that OS as many times as you want....as you make mod's to your system...

I have rolled Newegg OEM Win OS software across as many as 4 mobo changes...and could keep rolling that OS up if I had not switched to a Win7x64 retail OEM...which is residing still on its first mobo home...

If I wanted to buy a new board tomorrow...my present licensed OEM W7x64 would load up and register just fine on the new hardware/board ID...

The only time a problem occurs IS when two machine footprints are looking to update in the same relative time window...in other words...when windows update is sending the same updates to two different machine ID's. MS knows when two machines loaded with the same OS copy are operating independently...as long as you only load and use the software on one machine at a time...zero issues

Always buy OEM off the shelf from vendors such as Newegg unless you want the support contract that comes with the ELU version...which is monumental waste of money given its dubious value and transient shelf life...

Out

Oneway

[oneway]

OEM = Licensed to that specific computer.  If you replace it (or make enough hardware changes that makes windows think it's on a different computer), you're technically supposed to buy a new O/S.  This is 'technically' for installation onto a computer for resale purposes.  Example:  bustr builds a computer for Krusty.  Bustr installs OEM Windows on it and sells it to Krusty.  Krusty must got to bustr for tech support now, as Microsoft will say 'not our problem'.  Virtually all computer manufacturers use OEM versions on their systems.  There is no rules against installing this on your own system (AFAIK), but don't go crying to Microsoft for help if you need to.  Don't expect anything more than a disk and a OEM# sticker to put on the computer.

RETAIL = Purchased BY the end-user and it comes with all the bells and whistles (mostly a pretty box, manual, and a 1-800 number to call for help).  Typically this CAN be transferred to another system, providing it is uninstalled from the original system first... but I'm not exactly sure how Microsoft has it worded for Vista and 7.

This is totally wrong...

OEM = Original Equipment Manufacturer...and has ZERO to do with the machine id (mother board foot print)...

The retail versions of OEM style software simply mean MS is off the hook for support...

You can load an OEM version of windows as many times as you want as your mobo changes...

They will catch the pirates when two machines are hunting for OS updates in an illogical manner or concurrently...

Buy OEM and KNOW for a fact...if your motherboard takes a dump...you can put a new mobo in your box and will HAVE ZERO ISSUES activating your OS on the new board...

Trust me..I have done it dozens and dozens of times...

Oneway

[oneway]

What Tigger said.  The OEM version keeps a "points" system with different amounts of points assigned to different hardware.  Too many points changes and the OS thinks it's in a different computer thereby violating the license agreement.  It will still work but won't allow you to download and install upgrades to the OS.  I have heard that this can be overcome with a call to MS but don't know if that's true or not.

The retail version allows unlimited upgrades and transition from one machine to another but only the "official" machine will be eligable to receive upgrades. NONSENSE!!!!!!

You know what we call this in my neck of the woods?

FUDD...Fear, Uncertainty, Doubt, Disinformation...

aka Nonsense...total and complete nonsense....in other words total BS

MS OS does not track hardware changes on some conspiratorial point system...

I have never had a problem with swapping out dozens and dozens of hardware elements using the same OS over and over again...OEM versions purchased from Newegg...

I had one version of XP OEM that went through dozens of vid cards, a handful of sound cards...all manner of other cards and four mother boards...and never ever had an issue on a new OS install at the Win activation screen...

Many years ago (Pre service pack 2) I did a few 'phone' activations on XP OEM stuff where I simply told the tech I popped in a new mobo...and it was no problem...that was many years ago...

Nowadays you can swap your mobo out and do a fresh install every other day and you will have ZERO problems using the automated system...

BUY THE OEM VERSION AND SAVE YOUR MONEY

Oneway