OEM software

[Steve]

Hi

I'm wondering how legitimate it is to purchase MS software at sites such
http://merge.genuineoem.biz/.

Do the lacks of manual and tech support justify the price difference between
original and OEM ?

Are there any functional differences between original and OEM software ?

Do people (companies and consumers) capitalize on these OEM offerings ?

Please advise.
Thanks
Steve

 

[Opinicus]

I'm wondering how legitimate it is to purchase MS software
at sites such

I won't comment on the "legitimacy" however on the
advisability of such a purchase the old adage of "Let the
buyer beware" applies. If you trust the vendor, go for it in
other words.

Do the lacks of manual and tech support justify the price
difference between
original and OEM ?

The price difference is hefty. To ask whether or not that
difference is worth it, answer these questions for yourself:
When is the last time you looked up anything in a Windows
manual? When is the last time you (or anybody you know)
received technical support from Microsoft?

Are there any functional differences between original and
OEM software ?

No. Well there is one. You can only do a "clean"
installation with OEM software. You can't use an OEM package
to "upgrade" an existing installation in other words.

I have OEM versions of both WinXP and Office XP on my
machine and my wife's. I built both machines from (mostly
OEM) parts that I bought from a vendor along with the OEM
versions of the software. I trust that vendor, having done
business with him for many years, and so I can be sure that
the OEM software and parts that he sells me are genuine.

YMMV.

 

[Shenan Stanley]

I'm wondering how legitimate it is to purchase MS software at sites
such http://merge.genuineoem.biz/.

Do the lacks of manual and tech support justify the price difference
between original and OEM ?

Depends on who you are and what you know.

Are there any functional differences between original and OEM
software ?

Can be, sort-of. There is a bare minimum they have to meet
(specifications) - but the OEM (riginal Equipment Manfacturer) has the right
to change the installation media in many different ways.

Do people (companies and consumers) capitalize on these OEM offerings
?

Yes.

Don't get OEM. Avoid it. Get a full retail version. You'll be happier in
the long run for the extra $100 spent.

 

[Jupiter Jones [MVP]]

Steve;
Unsecured site for ordering.
From the FAQ page:
"The software is shipped from Eastern Europe."

Ever heard of the saying "If it seems to good to be true..."

Order at your own risk and expect nothing for your money.

 

[smacky]

Hi

I'm wondering how legitimate it is to purchase MS software at site
such
http://merge.genuineoem.biz/.

Do the lacks of manual and tech support justify the price differenc
between
original and OEM ?

Are there any functional differences between original and OEM softwar
?

Do people (companies and consumers) capitalize on these OEM offering
?

Please advise.
Thanks
Steve

Steve,

In answer to your question above, the sale of OEM Windows without
piece of hardware as specified by Microsoft (eg: Hard Disk
Motherboard, CPU or RAM) is not within the MS Licensing agreement fo
the sale of the software.

In response to the question : Are there any functional difference
between original and OEM software ?
The answer to this depends on the OEM version. With OEM versions a
supplied by companies uch as DeLL or HP, these versions have all th
standard drivers ripped out and the drivers for the specific system o
manufaturer are inserted instead.
With standard OEM copies as supplied by computer shops, these version
contain the same contents as the retail version, however these copie
cannot be legally installed on a system if they are not purchased wit
that system, or a piece of hardware which was purchased for tha
specific system. Though it may sound easy to get around, if you eve
need to call MS you may experience problems, and further to this, yo
can only activate this software 1 time, after this you actually need t
call MS to activate.


Good Luck
Smacky
Microsoft Personal Support
http://support.microsoft.com
and
interVations Internet Director
http://www.intervations.com.au

Please note the below discalimer is not due to incorrect informatio
having been given, nor because I expect to give any, however I do nee
to cover myself in the even that someone does not follow instruction
correctly.


DISCLAIMER
The information provided here is NOT provided
on behalf of Microsoft or interVations.
The information supplied is from my own knowledge
and it is recommended that you research all avenues
before taking/using any advice displensed to you.
You are responsible for actions taken on your own PC
and I cannot and do not accept any responsibility for
your actions as a direct or indirect result of my advic

 

[smacky]

Hi

I'm wondering how legitimate it is to purchase MS software at site
such
http://merge.genuineoem.biz/.

Do the lacks of manual and tech support justify the price differenc
between
original and OEM ?

Are there any functional differences between original and OEM softwar
?

Do people (companies and consumers) capitalize on these OEM offering
?

Please advise.
Thanks
Steve

One more thing Steve,

After looking at the prices on the website, I would have to say tha
you would be very lucky to get anything for your money.
The prices which the software are available for is below what Microsof
charges for the OEM software anyway, so there may be a possibility tha
the software could be stolen, not english, and in either case, yo
would not get support for the software, nor would you be able t
activate it, if you ever did receive it.


Smack

 

[Alias]

d further to this, you

can only activate this software 1 time, after this you actually need to
call MS to activate.


Good Luck
Smacky

I have reinstalled my OEM XP Pro that I bought without hardware online with
no problems at all.

Alias

 

[Shenan Stanley]

I have reinstalled my OEM XP Pro that I bought without hardware
online with no problems at all.

Yeah - "smacky" has that one wrong.

You might have to call if some other things are true, but the same can be
said for retail copies.

 

[Steve N.]

Steve,

In answer to your question above, the sale of OEM Windows without a
piece of hardware as specified by Microsoft (eg: Hard Disk,
Motherboard, CPU or RAM) is not within the MS Licensing agreement for
the sale of the software.

In response to the question : Are there any functional differences
between original and OEM software ?
The answer to this depends on the OEM version. With OEM versions as
supplied by companies uch as DeLL or HP, these versions have all the
standard drivers ripped out and the drivers for the specific system or
manufaturer are inserted instead.

I can't say in the case of HP OEMs because I haven't dealt with any HP
PCs lately, but all the Dells I have seen (desktops & laptops alike)
supply a full OEM install CD (which does work on various models of Dells
but ONLY on Dells) with generic drivers and supply a seperate driver CD.

Steve

 

[Bruce Chambers]

Hi

I'm wondering how legitimate it is to purchase MS software at sites
such http://merge.genuineoem.biz/.

Do the lacks of manual and tech support justify the price difference
between original and OEM ?

Are there any functional differences between original and OEM
software ?

Do people (companies and consumers) capitalize on these OEM
offerings
?

Please advise.
Thanks
Steve

Actually, if you were to clicked the links provided and then read
the site's self-contradictory,broken English "FAQ," you'd probably
have known it was a scam. Full OEM CDs that are full retail versions
that are legal as backup media? Shipped from eastern Europe? All CDs
shipped with the serial number included in a text file? Definitely
not legitimate CDs.

--

Bruce Chambers

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[Alex Nichol]

I'm wondering how legitimate it is to purchase MS software at sites such
http://merge.genuineoem.biz/.

Do the lacks of manual and tech support justify the price difference between
original and OEM ?

The giveaway is on their Shipping page - 'We ship by international
airmail'. IOW not from in the US, and no guarantees of what you would
get. The probablity is high that it is pirated, and the keys that are
claimed to come with it are quite probably ones that Microsoft now locks
out from Windows Update.

No one who has legitimate supplies of Windows can afford to sell them at
that price