OEM idenity

[Broksonic]

I recently purchased at an auction a box of CDs. In that box was a XP Pro
genuine disc with the original label. It all checked out via the Microsoft
web site as an authentic product. However there is no OEM name on the disc.
While trying to use the disc i found there were errors on the install process.
My question is HOW do i find out the OEM name so i can get a replacement for
my damaged disc?

 

[Shenan Stanley]

I recently purchased at an auction a box of CDs. In that box was a
XP Pro genuine disc with the original label. It all checked out
via the Microsoft web site as an authentic product. However there
is no OEM name on the disc. While trying to use the disc i found
there were errors on the install process. My question is HOW do i
find out the OEM name so i can get a replacement for my damaged
disc?

If it is *not* a generic OEM disc - it is pretty much worthless. A branded
OEM was likely used to install on a branded system already. If it is a
generic OEM CD - any copy of any generic OEM CD will work fine.

 

[Broksonic]

its a generic OEM (Microsoft gold colored CD) but i would like to find OEM
name to get a replacement if i can. Planning on selling a system and include
disc/reg number with it.

 

[Alias]

its a generic OEM (Microsoft gold colored CD) but i would like to find OEM
name to get a replacement if i can. Planning on selling a system and include
disc/reg number with it.

You're not going to find one. Find a friend who has the same generic OEM
version and make a copy. You can use the product key with the copy.

Alias

 

[David Webb]

its a generic OEM (Microsoft gold colored CD) but i would like to find OEM
name to get a replacement if i can. Planning on selling a system and include
disc/reg number with it.

 

[David Webb]

Soory, but I think I sent a blank message before this one (coffee is still
brewing).

This How-To covers instructions for both Retail and OEM versions:

How to replace lost, broken, or missing Microsoft software or hardware
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?kbid=326246

Good luck!

 

[Bruce Chambers]

its a generic OEM (Microsoft gold colored CD) but i would like to find OEM
name to get a replacement if i can. Planning on selling a system and include
disc/reg number with it.

Generic OEM CDs are no distributed through specific manufacturers, but
rather are available to the general public. The only entity that could
replace the defective CD would be the vendor who sold it to you. And
there, your probably out of luck, as no doubt the auction was conducted
on an "as is" basis.


--

Bruce Chambers

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[Ken Blake, MVP]

its a generic OEM (Microsoft gold colored CD) but i would like to find OEM
name to get a replacement if i can. Planning on selling a system and include
disc/reg number with it.

If it's generic, there is no specific OEM. That's what the word
"generic" means. All generic CDs are the same, regardless of who sold
them.

There is probably no way to get a replacement.

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

If it's generic, there is no specific OEM. That's what the word
"generic" means. All generic CDs are the same, regardless of who sold
them.

There is probably no way to get a replacement.

And by the way, assuming that this CD/license has already been used on
another computer (and it probably has, based on the way you describe
it), it can not legally be used again on another computer. The biggest
disadvantage of an OEM version is that its license ties it permanently
to the first computer it's installed on. It can never legally be moved
to another computer, sold, or given away, except with that original
computer.

 

[Alias]

And by the way, assuming that this CD/license has already been used on
another computer (and it probably has, based on the way you describe
it), it can not legally be used again on another computer. The biggest
disadvantage of an OEM version is that its license ties it permanently
to the first computer it's installed on. It can never legally be moved
to another computer, sold, or given away, except with that original
computer.

You mean you can't move it to another computer and be within the
guidelines of the EULA. Technically, it can be moved if it's been longer
than 120 days since the last activation or if you lie to the phone
activator. That, and the fact that MS never defines what one computer is
vs. another, you can upgrade your computer's hardware to the point where
it's a new computer and stay within the OEM EULA guidelines.

I am speaking of a generic OEM, not a branded OEM.

Alias

 

[Plato]

I recently purchased at an auction a box of CDs. In that box was a XP Pro
genuine disc with the original label. It all checked out via the Microsoft
web site as an authentic product. However there is no OEM name on the disc.
While trying to use the disc i found there were errors on the install process.
My question is HOW do i find out the OEM name so i can get a replacement for
my damaged disc?

You are out of luck.

 

[Plato]

If it's generic, there is no specific OEM. That's what the word
"generic" means. All generic CDs are the same, regardless of who sold
them.

There is probably no way to get a replacement.

Even so, and yes, one can dupe an official XP CD, it is no guarantee
that the serial has already been used.