License Authenticity Query

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Guest

How valid are OEM copies of software? People are selling these at amazing
prices. How do I know if I am using authentic and licensed software?
 
Hi,

Leamier said:
How valid are OEM copies of software? People are selling
these at amazing prices. How do I know if I am using authentic
and licensed software?
Click to expand...

In addition to the "How to tell" resources in the other response, consider
this: there is relatively little variation in pricing of legitimate,
unbranded OEM software. In the US, you can typically expect to pay about
$80 for XP Home OEM and about $140 for XP Professional. The pricing of
individual vendors will vary some, but anything too far off the above is
probably *not* legitimate. While very few resellers insist on that, OEM
software should be offered together with hardware only.

From user's perspective, this puts the OEM pricing close to retail upgrade
package pricing. If you are disposing an old computer that had an eligible
and transferable older version of Windows installed, you could take that
route instead.
 
Not necessarily.
If the OP does not have the original Product Key or CD, there is no
license.\
As others have stated, the OP needs to contact the seller or possibly be
forced to replace the OS at own expense.
 
I purchased 2 OEM versions of Win XP Home & Office 2003 SBE for 2 PCs at my
office. I had the impression that OEM versions were attached to the
hardware, but the store had stacks of OEM Win-XP (both Home & Pro) as well
as Office 2003 (OEM) which were being sold on a standalone basis. It didn't
say OEM anywhere on the packaging (unless I missed it).

There was no problem activating over internet (both Win XP & Office 2003),
so it can't be bootleg (is this reasoning correct?!). I guess once you
activate, the OEM software is thereafter stuck with that hardware forever.
 
Thanks, I guess I have to rethink my options then. You see, I began to have
serious doubts when I saw the prices. As much as 80% off the regular price.
Guess It was too good to be true.
 
Maybe, but I dont think so. I'm in the Philippines where the government is
now seriously pursuing software pirates. The "raiding team" (thats what we
call them) doesn't care if your XP is activated or not. They look for the
license that came with the purchase. OEM versions are practically nonexistent
here except in companies using servers.
 
Please see my post in a related question regarding a "prirated" copy of XP.
I had no problem installing it or validating it, but now it won't update
through Windows Update.
So, the answer is: "buyer beware".
 
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