OEM for Windows 7

[Electroman6913]

I have been building computers for people and have been installing Ubuntu on them I was wondering if I could buy an OEM licensee of windows 7 I have heard that all OEM versions of windows 7 are for just one computer. If this is true I don't understand why some one would buy it. There must be a multiple license version of it.

[Nikon]

there are multiple license packs for windows OS's. OEM versions are for only 1 computer like you said, they are intended for manufacturers who provide their own support, rather than sending people to microsoft for help.

the main difference is, who will be doing the tech support for the pc, you or microsoft?

[rwest]

Here's a 30 pack of 7 pro for over 4G's!

Newegg.com - Microsoft WINDOWS 7 PRO 32 Bit OEM 30PK License and Media - OEM - 1 PC - 30 - PC - English - Operating Systems

It looks like they make something of what your looking for, but jeez. I'd shop around.

[Electroman6913]

thats comes to 133 per copy I think Ill stay with linux.

[Nikon]

you can get them for $99 for home. pro is more expencive. stick with linux if you wish =D i like it better for the most part.

[David M]

We have a version at work where we can load the OS onto any of our computers. Something like that does exist. I just don't have any more details than that.

[glc]

Multipacks don't save you much money at all. The only way for you, as a builder, to get a substantial discount is register with Microsoft as a system builder and buy a certain monthly volume - which you will never achieve in a small shop. You also won't be able to give the customer a genuine CD - you must make recovery CD's that can't be used on any other computer.

Newegg sells 7 HP OEM for 100 bucks, if you buy 10 or more it's 93 bucks each.

David, what you have is an academic volume license. The university pays a huge annual fee for all the licenses they can eat.

[rwest]

I was wondering who and how those were paid. An IT student loaded my Win 7 pro version for learning.

Just curious, wil the license expire?

[glc]

The only Windows licenses that expire are betas and release candidates - unless it winds up on a blacklist for piracy.

[Khalil]

Originally Posted by David M We have a version at work where we can load the OS onto any of our computers. Something like that does exist. I just don't have any more details than that.

Those are called Enterprise Licenses.

[Nuclear Krusader]

Originally Posted by rwest I was wondering who and how those were paid. An IT student loaded my Win 7 pro version for learning. Just curious, wil the license expire?

Some universities purchase software from M$ and other companies that they can give to the students in their IT programs. I honestly don't know how that works, as in EULA terms, but I don't think the students are free to install them on as many machines as they want. The fact that some of this software is provided keyless doesn't make it ethical to give it out to your friends.

No, this licence shan't expire.

[alanebro82]

My university (Nebraska) had this program for software as well. There was a clause in the license you signed where you agreed to uninstall all Microsoft products upon no longer being a student UNLESS the reason you're no longer a student is because you graduated. I don't believe they had any way of deactivating you. It was all on the honor system.

[rwest]

So in the long run my license is legal, but ethically wrong?

[Khalil]

Originally Posted by alanebro82 My university (Nebraska) had this program for software as well. There was a clause in the license you signed where you agreed to uninstall all Microsoft products upon no longer being a student UNLESS the reason you're no longer a student is because you graduated. I don't believe they had any way of deactivating you. It was all on the honor system.

It is always risky business because piracy laws provide stiff fines and possible jail time.

[Nuclear Krusader]

Originally Posted by rwest So in the long run my license is legal, but ethically wrong?

rwest, this is something that can take a long dissertation on the definition of stealing; don't really want to go there, not here anyway. True, corporations nowadays are redefining right and wrong based on what makes them the most profit and gives them the more power over the largest amount of people; a quick look at music should shew how ridiculous they have gotten.

My comment on ethics did not come out of a blind desire of defending M$ and its stupid policies (they've gone too far, but as Khalil pointed out, in the end it doesn't matter if they're right or wrong: they have good lawyers, the current laws are on their side and they can easily get the little man in jail), but from the thinking that it's fair that we pay for the software we use. Software is not free. It costs time and effort and money to make.

Look, I'm an author and a publisher. I'm not the litigating kind and I'm certainly not going to be taking you to jail if you quote my book or photocopy more than 10% of it. I'd only be litigating if you made full copies and pass them on to your friends. Why? Because it took me lots of effort and love to create something and it's fair that I at least recover the price of the paper and the printing and the advertising; and I also need to pay bills. I can let someone get away with taking a copy for free (I even give free copies myself), but what happens if everyone just takes one copy? All I'm defending here is the fairness of someone being paid for his work. If it's overpriced, that's still no excuse for getting it as a freebie, you just don't buy it. Ask me why I'm still using Photoshop CS4 and Corel 12; at this point in time I just don't have money to buy PS and Illustrator CS5.