OEM version of Windows XP

[Vince]

I have Windows ME installed, in an upgrade from W95.
I would like to make a clean start with XP on a new HDD. I understand
that if I buy a HDD I am eligible to purchase an OEM copy of Windows XP
with it.
Apart from the label and possible absence of documentation, are there
any differences between the OEM and full retail version? I was concerned
by the recent string on XP Recovery CDs, and wouldn't want to get into
that box.
Can anyone help please?

Vince

 

[Carey Frisch [MVP]]

OEM versions of Windows XP:

-- cannot upgrade over an existing Windows installation
-- cannot be transferred to a different computer in the future
-- the license cannot be sold or transferred to another user
-- are not eligible for free Microsoft technical support
-- must be purchased with some type of computer hardware
-- any problems whatsoever with the installation CD or Product Key
is not eligible for Microsoft support....you have to deal with the "seller".
-- cost less than "retail versions" due to the above limitations/risks

Should you purchase an OEM license version of XP?
http://www.tek-tips.com/gfaqs.cfm/pid/779/fid/4004

Other than the above noted exceptions, an OEM version of Windows XP
does not operationally differ from a "retail version".

Clean Install Windows XP
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/cleanxpinstall.html

[Courtesy of MS-MVP Michael Stevens]

--
Carey Frisch
Microsoft MVP
Windows XP - Shell/User

Be Smart! Protect your PC!
http://www.microsoft.com/security/protect/

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


|I have Windows ME installed, in an upgrade from W95.
| I would like to make a clean start with XP on a new HDD. I understand
| that if I buy a HDD I am eligible to purchase an OEM copy of Windows XP
| with it.
| Apart from the label and possible absence of documentation, are there
| any differences between the OEM and full retail version? I was concerned
| by the recent string on XP Recovery CDs, and wouldn't want to get into
| that box.
| Can anyone help please?
|
| Vince

 

[Guest]

cannot be transferred to a different computer in the futur

Thats nonsense.. OEM software can be transfeered to anothe computer as long as it is installed on 1 computer only.

 

[Guest]

U want Windows XP..
Make sure you EXCEED the minimal hardware specs.
Windows Xp run comfortably with 1GHZ or higher CPU. 512MB ram
Get the OEM version, save yourself a wack of money. If u buy the retail u get 2 free tech support calls to Microsoft.

 

[Carey Frisch [MVP]]

Not according to the OEM Windows XP End-User License Agreement.
An OEM Windows XP license is "permanently bound" to the first computer
it is installed and activated on. Only a "Retail Version" can be transferred
to another computer.

--
Carey Frisch
Microsoft MVP
Windows XP - Shell/User

Be Smart! Protect your PC!
http://www.microsoft.com/security/protect/

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


| cannot be transferred to a different computer in the future
|
| Thats nonsense.. OEM software can be transfeered to anothe computer as long as it is installed on 1 computer
only.

 

[Jupiter Jones [MVP]]

Perhaps you should read the OEM EULA.
It is different.
not transferring is just one of the many reasons OEM is cheaper than
retail.

--
Jupiter Jones [MVP]
http://www3.telus.net/dandemar/

cannot be transferred to a different computer in the future

Thats nonsense.. OEM software can be transfeered to anothe computer

as long as it is installed on 1 computer only.

 

[Vince]

Thanks for replies.
I would think that as I plan to use a new HDD it would look like a new
PC, and it would be the 'first PC'.
I'm checking the references you gave in your previous post.
V

 

[Davee]

I've thought about this and don't see how 'transfer' can be prevented,
providing re-registration is properly carried out. What constitutes
'transfer'?
- Suppose I put the HDD with the OEM XP in a new PC?
- Suppose I replaced the motherboard in the original PC?
- Or put in another HDD?
The construction of a PC is such that it can be completely rebuilt in
stages, so that only the case remains - and even that could be changed.
At what point does Microsoft deem a PC 'new'?
Even motherboards have been known to blow and need replacement, while
the rest of the machine is fine.
This looks as if it could amount to a restrictive practice.
I was under the impression that 'significant' hardware changes can
require re-registration, but that it is allowed - presumably even with
'full OEM' editions.

V

 

[Davee]

I've been reading this string and don't see how 'transfer' can be
prevented, providing re-registration is properly carried out. What
constitutes 'transfer'?
- Suppose I put the HDD with the OEM XP in a new PC?
- Suppose I replaced the motherboard in the original PC?
- Or put in another HDD?
The construction of a PC is such that it can be completely rebuilt in
stages, so that only the case remains - and even that could be changed.
At what point does Microsoft deem a PC 'new'?
Even motherboards have been known to blow and need replacement, while
the rest of the machine is fine.
This looks as if it could amount to a restrictive practice.
I was under the impression that 'significant' hardware changes can
require re-registration, but that it is allowed - presumably even with
'full OEM' editions.

Dave

 

[D.Currie]

Until it's been decided in court, it's all a matter of interpretation, and
MS is currently considering a new mobo to be a new computer, unless the mobo
is replaced under warranty.

How that fits in with a computer you build yourself is anyone's guess.

It also depends on how long its been since activation (after 120 days it
would activate online) and what you feel comfortable admitting to if you
have to call in.

Knowing that the motherboard nixes the deal, you could still say that you
did an upgrade and avoid mentioning the mobo. You could move it to an
entirely new computer, and still say that it was an incremental upgrade. On
the other end, they have to assume you're telling the truth; they have no
way of telling if the person on the other end is lying to them or not. So it
all boils down to whether you have any problem lying about what you did.

OEM copies that come with brand-name computers are a different story
entirely. Many of those disks are customized so that they won't work at all
if you've changed a significant amount of hardware. That has nothing to do
with MS, it's between the computer manufacturer and the customer. They have
no obligation to support you if you change hardware, and they make their
software based on that. It simply won't recognize your computer, so there
goes any support. This isn't new with XP, by the way. I can remember this
issue dating back to Windows 95 where a recovery CD would fail after
replacing or adding hardware to the original configuration.

As far as being restrictive, yes, it is. OEM software licenses are
restrictive. That's one reason they cost so much less. It certainly isn't
the packaging that makes the difference.

 

[Jupiter Jones [MVP]]

Davee;
The number of changes before it is deemed a different computer has
been vague.
Many incorrectly believe the motherboard is the deciding factor.
However on those computers where the motherboard is the determinant,
it is the computer manufacturer and not Microsoft that does it.

 

[Dave]

Thanks for that. It explains quite a lot - specially interesting as I'm
thinking of building a PC from components or replacing the mobo in my
current machine.
I think maybe I'll stick with ME or use it as the base of an upgrade.

Dave

 

[Guest]

I have an OEM version of XP. Last week I installed a new motherboard, of the same manufacturer and model. My original had a bad floppy drive, (or so everyone thought, because it still doesn't work). Anyway everthing works fine, and obviously I can get online. The MB maker was aware that I use XP and that it is the OEM version, so maybe they made some provision? I received my new board within two days of them receiving my old one, so maybe they were able to give them the same ID numbers or something. Anyway it works fine and I had fully expected to have to contact Microsoft to get a new ID number. So, maybe the Hard drive is the part that is recognized? I am in the process of installing a backup hard drive, and so far there doesn't seem to be a problem there either. Hey, maybe Microsoft is blowing smoke up our rears and it don't mean nothin? Heh, heh, now wouldn't that be somethin. Later on folks, hgsnvns

 

[Steve C. Ray]

There is no problem when a motherboard is replaced with an identical one.
The problem arises when the motherboard is different than the old one, and
in that case a repair installation is necessary.

--
Steve C. Ray
(Replace "mail" with "36db"

I have an OEM version of XP. Last week I installed a new motherboard, of

the same manufacturer and model. My original had a bad floppy drive, (or so
everyone thought, because it still doesn't work). Anyway everthing works
fine, and obviously I can get online. The MB maker was aware that I use XP
and that it is the OEM version, so maybe they made some provision? I
received my new board within two days of them receiving my old one, so maybe
they were able to give them the same ID numbers or something. Anyway it
works fine and I had fully expected to have to contact Microsoft to get a
new ID number. So, maybe the Hard drive is the part that is recognized? I
am in the process of installing a backup hard drive, and so far there
doesn't seem to be a problem there either. Hey, maybe Microsoft is blowing
smoke up our rears and it don't mean nothin? Heh, heh, now wouldn't that be
somethin. Later on folks, hgsnvns

 

[Mad Max]

Steve;
Like everything else about replacing parts on OEM machines, that is deep in
the small print, if it exists at all.
From what others have said , if the MB is replaced in an OEM you are SOL and
you own an expensive paperweight.
Just shows to go ya, don't believe everything you hear, even from 'so
called' experts.
As always, it's not what they say, but what they don't say.

Mad Max

 

[D.Currie]

There's a lot about OEM computers that most people don't realize until they
have one and something goes wrong. I've had OEM software reject an
installation with as little as a new CD ROM drive or an upgraded video card.

Most of them aren't that picky, but likely it's not something you'd find out
about until it's too late.

And I had one in for repair that had a bad motherboard. I called the
manufacturer for a replacement part, and the response was that there weren't
any replacement parts, it was a whole-unit replacement only, for big bucks.
It wasn't a reasonable price for swapping a motherboard, and it would have
been outrageous if the proprietary power supply had gone bad.

 

[Bruce Chambers]

Greetings --

There are some very important reasons that an OEM license costs so
much less than a retail license. OEM licenses are very limited:

1) OEM versions must be sold with a piece of hardware (normally
a motherboard or hard drive, if not an entire PC, although Microsoft
has greatly relaxed the hardware criteria for WinXP) and are
_permanently_ bound to the first PC on which they are installed. An
OEM license, once installed, is not legally transferable to another
computer under any circumstances. This is the main reason some people
avoid OEM versions; if the PC dies or is otherwise disposed of (even
stolen), you cannot re-use your OEM license on a new PC. The only
legitimate way to transfer the ownership of an installed OEM license
is to transfer ownership of the entire PC.

2) Microsoft provides no free support for OEM versions. If you
have any problems that require outside assistance, your only recourse
is to contact the manufacturer/builder of the PC or the vendor of the
OEM license. This would include such issues as lost a Product Key or
replacing damaged installation media. (Microsoft does make allowances
for those instances when you can prove that the OEM has gone out of
business.) This doesn't mean that you can't download patches and
service packs from Microsoft -- just no free telephone or email
support for problems with the OS.

3) An OEM CD cannot be used to perform an upgrade of an earlier
OS, as it was designed to be installed _only_ upon an empty hard
drive. It can still be used to perform a repair installation (a.k.a.
an in-place upgrade) of an existing WinXP installation.

4) If the OEM CD was designed by a specific manufacturer, such as
eMachines, Sony, Dell, Gateway, etc., it will most likely only install
on the same brand/model of PC, as an additional anti-piracy feature.
Further, such CDs are often severely customized to contain only the
minimum of device drivers, and a lot of extra nonsense, that the
manufacturer feels necessary for the specific model of PC for which
the CD was designed. (To be honest, such CDs should _not_ be
available on the open market; but, if you're shopping someplace like
eBay, eastern European web sites, swap meets, or computer fairs,
there's often no telling what you're buying until it's too late.) The
"generic" OEM CDs, such as are manufactured by Microsoft and sold to
small systems builders, don't have this particular problem, though,
and are pretty much the same as their retail counterparts, apart from
the licensing, support, and upgrading restrictions.


Bruce Chambers
--
Help us help you:



You can have peace. Or you can have freedom. Don't ever count on
having both at once. -- RAH

 

[Bruce Chambers]

Greetings --

Wrong. I suggest you try reading the EULA.

Bruce Chambers
--
Help us help you:



You can have peace. Or you can have freedom. Don't ever count on
having both at once. -- RAH

 

[Bruce Chambers]

Greetings --

Prevented? You raise a good point. In most cases, the only thing
preventing an OEM license from being transferred to a new computer is
the integrity (iow, honesty) of the computer owner. Just as door
locks don't deter a determined burglar, the EULA and WPA won't stop
the determined software pirate.

Bruce Chambers
--
Help us help you:



You can have peace. Or you can have freedom. Don't ever count on
having both at once. -- RAH

 

[Guest]

Concerning XP Install using Retail V Vs. OEM, I have 3 Retail versions and two OEM versions of XP Pro. and I see absolutely no diff -other than what you said
I hope this helps

John