OEM vs Retail OS's

[puffa]

Looking to build my first PC and see a BIG price diff in Vista OEM and Retail. Can I use OEM on a home built PC and save 100+bucks

[flanzig1]

Yes you can.

[Staren]

Only real diffrence between OEM and Retail is the licence agrement for OEM means you can only put that copy on one computer. The retail can be moved if you take it off the old computer first. When I build a computer I just figure the OS into the price anyway so I always get OEM. And don't worry about upgrading the computer. Vista is designed to tell the diffrence between a few parts changing and being installed in a whole new system.

[Katreat]

Originally Posted by Staren Only real diffrence between OEM and Retail is the licence agrement for OEM means you can only put that copy on one computer. The retail can be moved if you take it off the old computer first. When I build a computer I just figure the OS into the price anyway so I always get OEM. And don't worry about upgrading the computer. Vista is designed to tell the diffrence between a few parts changing and being installed in a whole new system.

So, if you have an OEM copy of XP and you fry your hard drive, can you buy a new hard drive (replacement) and re-install?

The reason I ask is that if you build a new computer and take XP off the old one, why would it be different than just replacing a dead hard drive. In both cases you are using the disk a second time to install the operating system?

Kat

[Marke522]

Because if you replace your harddrive, you still have the same motherboard, processor, videocard, soundcard, optical drives, floppy drive, card reader, SCSI card, RAID controller, network card, and anything else that you might have in your computer. When you activate windows, it will know if this system is new, or slightly altered.

People replace harddrives all the time, not simply because they "fry". Maybe they become too small, maybe they become too slow, perhaps a user wishes to use SATA. HDD's are getting cheaper and faster every month. If you need more space because you only have an 80GB, and you end up buying a 320GB that is faster, I'd go with a clean install. Especially if it's been well over a year. You always want to have your OS and your programs on your fastest drive anyway. It can help with boot and loading times.

But it does leave me wondering. If you make a clone, would you be able to activate on both systems? Like one my bedroom, and one for my living room, just saying, for the sake of conversation. Aside from being wrong, would there be any reprocusions?

Moderator, please feel free to edit that last paragraph as I do not wish for this post to give ideas to anyone, just wanted an answer to an honest question.

[Staren]

Yes you could reinstall with a new hard drive in the same computer. It's all about the details for legal reasons. Microsoft can't stop you from upgrading or repairing your computer. No judge would agree to that. However, when you buy a copy of Windows you aren't buying a copy of the software per say, but actually a license to use the software. When you buy Retail, you do so with the contract saying that you can use it on as many computers as you'd like *ONE* at a time. When you buy OEM, you get the discount with the understanding that that serial number will only be used on one computer and one computer only. Technically with the Vista license agreement for OEM copies, you're supposed to sell a fully working computer with that copy of Windows to someone. But as you can guess a lot of people will ignore that particular line.

[not important]

Someone correct me if I am mistaken but I believe that you only get MS assistance with Retail versions.

[Katreat]

I also hope this discussion does not violate any rules. It is not an effort to get around the licence, I just want to be clear on what I am giving up going OEM. If OEM was "wholesale only" I could understand, but it is clearly sold to the general public which makes it a retail sale. So as long as you are running it on only one computer it should not violate the licencing areement.

As for what is an upgrade and what is a new computer that is a very grey area. I have changed HD x 2, MoBo, CPU, Ram, and Video x 2 on my computer since I have had it. I consider all of those upgrades, but would an OEM copy of windows consider the new MoBo a new computer? I am currently using a retail copy of XP but was considering just getting a new OEM copy for my next computer because I intend to keep the old one running as a second machine. But if they are really going to limit my ability to upgrade and change things around then it might not be the best idea.

[Marke522]

You'll be fine.

You might have to call Microsoft once after an major upgrade to get a new code, but OEM is what you're looking for.

The retail does come with 2 free service calls. The OEM leaves you on your own.

[Staren]

Your correct Not Important. You do lose any help from Microsoft with an OEM version. I don't personally consider that a problem. When was the last time you heard of someone calling Microsoft for help? Most everything is either a hardware or 3rd party software issue, rarely the OS, and even if it is, a reinstall is much safer then risking your work to a "fixed" install (which you'd almost never get, they'd tell you to do a format too).

In theory, Microsoft could deny you use of your OS if you did so many upgrades that you ended up with a whole new system. In practice, It isn't as painful as it sounds. If you do end up having to call them once maybe twice, they aren't going to sic the lawyers on you and probably will give you a new serial number. The agreements are written the way they are so they can go after who they need to go after. The typical builder isn't going to have a major problem.

[Katreat]

OK, that makes me feel better. I have already had to call Microsoft a few times although it has always been on office. 98 has worked fine for every fresh install I have done no questions asked. Calling Microsoft on the office was pretty painless, they just asked why I was re-installing and gave me a lecture about only using it on one computer at a time, which was fine. Thanks for the info because I would really love to buy OEM and get it for half price.

[Dos]

I have read that OEM is tied to the motherboard. Once installed and tied to that motherboard, you cannot use the OEM copy on any other computer (a new motherboard is considered as a new computer?).

[Staren]

Not true. The way that Vista works is that each part is assigned a point (except the ethernet adapter which is 3 don't ask me why). When like 10 or 12 something points are changed it will ask you to revalidate. Even then you'll be able to use the same code a time or two without having to get in touch with Microsoft. XP is even more lax then that.

[Dos]

I see, cleared that up then. Thanks.

[Staren]

Ok I think I see what you heard. What are traditionally thought of as OEMs (original equipment manufacturers) like Dell and HP do in fact link the copies of Windows they put in their systems to the motherboard so that the install disks are restricted. It's not done with OEM copies accessable to us.