Aces High Bulletin Board
General Forums => Hardware and Software => Topic started by: bustr on May 26, 2010, 03:49:45 PM
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What is the current position by Microsoft on full version and OEM version of windows 7?
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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.
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Microsoft tech support?
*giggle*
Might be a good reason to buy OEM, just to keep them away? :neener:
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Microsoft tech support?
*giggle*
Might be a good reason to buy OEM, just to keep them away? :neener:
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.
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OEM version will not allow you to upgrade the motherboard whereas the Full Retail will.
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Is that new with Vista/Win7? If so that's idiotic to the extreme.
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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
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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.
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Microsoft tech support?
*giggle*
Might be a good reason to buy OEM, just to keep them away? :neener:
:rofl :rofl :rofl
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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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
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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
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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
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MS OS does not track hardware changes on some conspiratorial point system...
isnt that exactly what their activation system does? registers 5 or 6 hardware components, then checks this every time the OS boots. if you change more than a couple of them you have to reactivate.
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15 posts and none of you even mentioned the biggest reason to buy Retail over OEM (or if so, I missed it!)
The OEM version is somewhat cheaper, but must be purchased as 32 bit or 64 bit.
The Retail version comes with both 32 and 64 bit media, and can be installed either way.
If you know which one you are going to run for sure and only plan to run it on a single system for the lifetime of the license, then buy OEM and save a few bucks. If you're not sure if your hardware will run 64 bit, hedge your bet by spending a few dollars more for the Retail version, so you can back off to 32 bit if necessary.
With respect to the licensing....
As has been mentioned, the OEM version is legally limited to the original computer system, and moving it to another system is a violation of the licensing terms you agreed to when you first installed it. Legally, installing it on another system even if it's no longer on the original is software piracy.
The Retail version is legally limited to being installed on a single computer system at any one time, so you can legally buy a new computer, and install the retail version on it instead of the original without violating the terms of the license agreement, and without committing software piracy.
And I do know someone who installed the OEM license on so many configurations that MS refused to re-activate, so it DOES happen. (What I don't know is whether or not they were using it on more than one machine concurrently, which is of course also piracy - but of a "more serious" sort.)
<S>
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15 posts and none of you even mentioned the biggest reason to buy Retail over OEM (or if so, I missed it!)
The OEM version is somewhat cheaper, but must be purchased as 32 bit or 64 bit.
The Retail version comes with both 32 and 64 bit media, and can be installed either way.
If you know which one you are going to run for sure and only plan to run it on a single system for the lifetime of the license, then buy OEM and save a few bucks. If you're not sure if your hardware will run 64 bit, hedge your bet by spending a few dollars more for the Retail version, so you can back off to 32 bit if necessary.
With respect to the licensing....
As has been mentioned, the OEM version is legally limited to the original computer system, and moving it to another system is a violation of the licensing terms you agreed to when you first installed it. Legally, installing it on another system even if it's no longer on the original is software piracy.
The Retail version is legally limited to being installed on a single computer system at any one time, so you can legally buy a new computer, and install the retail version on it instead of the original without violating the terms of the license agreement, and without committing software piracy.
And I do know someone who installed the OEM license on so many configurations that MS refused to re-activate, so it DOES happen. (What I don't know is whether or not they were using it on more than one machine concurrently, which is of course also piracy - but of a "more serious" sort.)
<S>
Good info. If you buy an OS from a college you can install it on several PC's. However, I think after school is over you are suppose to delete it.
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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
WOW Oneway, talk about FUDD.. you seem a bit paranoid over why one would recommend a retail version over OEM.
Anyways.. yes you do make some valid points, but if you take the time to read the license agreement, you are NOT SUPPOSED TO transfer an OEM operating system from one computer to another. Now, this doesn't mean that you CAN'T... it's kind of like speed limits... yes you can exceed them and you can probably get away with it, but that doesn't make it any more legal...
Personally, I would almost ALWAYS recommend an OEM version over retail (except in the rare cases where you find a retail version to actually be cheaper... it happened to me when I purchased my 3-pack of win7 home premium), but if one doesn't want to break the rules.. then they may decide to spend the extra money for retail... for piece of mind if for no other reason.
And yes they *DO* use a point system to determine any hardware changes. No this doesn't mean they send SPECIFIC HARDWARE INFORMATION to Microsoft... but it DOES mean that it may require you to re-activate the operating system should it feel like enough hardware is different. If this won't work automatically, I've NEVER HAD A PROBLEM using a phone call to Microsoft (India). I just simply tell them that I replaced the motherboard on the computer, and I'm golden.
It's simply one extra safeguard against piracy... but I have to say, Microsoft is at least easier to deal with than the music industry...
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I guess I should have put "legally" at the end of my post. :uhoh
I would like to know how ecraters and ebayers are selling Product Keys for such small fees ($30 and less)?
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Just but Win 7 Ultimate 64bit OEM and be done with it. It works great and AH plays nicely on it. All else is a waste of time.
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Windows7 will register the original MB on an OEM installation. Yes you can install it on a sequential system but who knows. I always buy OEM and have never had a problem with calling and having it activated. By law they can not restrict your use of the software to a single system unless you purchase an OEM that is resold and was subject to further restrictions as part of that sale (fortune 500/large OEM etc)...
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Let me apologise for the cryptic manner in which I started this post. But, I wanted the range of opinions that were tendered. Here are the two article links that prompted me to start this post. What do you think? I suspect I will purchase Windows 7 64bit OEM because that is what I built my PC to run when I decided to move off of XP sp3 as the community found favor with Windows 7.
Is it OK to use OEM Windows on your own PC? Don't ask Microsoft by: Ed Bott
http://www.zdnet.com/blog/bott/is-it-ok-to-use-oem-windows-on-your-own-pc-dont-ask-microsoft/1561
No OEM For You: Windows 7 OEM Packaging is Not For Individuals by: Paul Thurrott
http://www.winsupersite.com/win7/oem.asp
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bustr.. that has been my point exactly. Per Microsoft's rules.. no you're not supposed to use OEM versions on your own computer. Can it be done? Of course. Should you tell Microsoft you did it? Of course not.
If I had to choose, I would go OEM anyway.
I purchased a retail three pack of Win 7 Home Premium upgrades through Amazon.com a while back for $149. The very next day I noticed the price had jumped up to $249. Possibly an error? Maybe so but I still got it for the $149 price.
I have installed these on my desktop, my g/f's desktop, and my dad's desktop as fresh installs with no problem. Mine got 64 bit and just installed like nothing. My dad got the 32 bit (he's not real computer literate and I didn't want him to run into potential 64bit incompatibilities) and I had to do a slight registry hack to get it to work. My g/f also got the 64 bit and I had to do the registry hack on hers as well. Why it wasn't required on mine is beyond me.
My point being that all three copies work and activated no problem, but the fact that I used them as a fresh install on all three systems could be questionable. To be fair, all three computers DID have legitimate copies of XP on them (One Home, two professional), but I wanted to wipe and repartition my dad's hard drive (god knows how much malware he had and I wanted a fresh start with him).. and both me and my g/f had new hard drives that got 7 installed onto.
I wouldn't worry too much about Microsoft 'coming after you' though... just don't be surprised if sometime down the road you try to install it on another system and you can't get it activated. Not likely to happen, but don't be surprised if it does.
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And I do know someone who installed the OEM license on so many configurations that MS refused to re-activate, so it DOES happen. (What I don't know is whether or not they were using it on more than one machine concurrently, which is of course also piracy - but of a "more serious" sort.)
Just to be absolutely clear - the license that one of my co-workers was refused reactivation on was XP Professional, not Win 7.
<S>