OEM rules

[Guest]

I had a few questions requarding Windows OEM software. I m able to buy
windows vista from a buy program along with some other stuff for a good
price, but the software is OEM. If I say install it on my current computer,
then my hard drive dies and I need reinstall the os, but lets say I decided
to do an upgrade at the same time, does that cause a problem since I would
have an OEM copy of vista?

 

[Shenan Stanley]

I had a few questions requarding Windows OEM software. I m able to
buy windows vista from a buy program along with some other stuff
for a good price, but the software is OEM. If I say install it on
my current computer, then my hard drive dies and I need reinstall
the os, but lets say I decided to do an upgrade at the same time,
does that cause a problem since I would have an OEM copy of vista?

If you plan to keep the OS through multiple computers and you want no
trouble at all - you'll have to get a non-oem.
A dead hard drive/replacement - usually that won't cause any issues.
Replacing the motherboard/cpu and other major componets - could cause a
logistics problem - doubtful it would cause any technical issues...

 

[Ron Martell]

I had a few questions requarding Windows OEM software. I m able to buy
windows vista from a buy program along with some other stuff for a good
price, but the software is OEM. If I say install it on my current computer,
then my hard drive dies and I need reinstall the os, but lets say I decided
to do an upgrade at the same time, does that cause a problem since I would
have an OEM copy of vista?

I have not yet seen the actual EULA content for the OEM versions of
Windows Vista, and I am not certain if the major OEMs will be using
the "BIOS Lock" or SLP procedure that they use with Windows XP. So
my comments are based on the current situation with Windows XP, on the
assumption that Vista will be equivalent or at least quite similar.

Replacing a hard drive with an OEM version should not be a problem,
but moving to a new motherboard could be problematic and moving to a
complete different computer would be a definite no-no.

Good luck

Ron Martell Duncan B.C. Canada
--
Microsoft MVP (1997 - 2006)
On-Line Help Computer Service
http://onlinehelp.bc.ca
Syberfix Remote Computer Repair

"Anyone who thinks that they are too small to make a difference
has never been in bed with a mosquito."