OEM versus UPGRADE

[Carl G]

Hi All
If i go to say, walmart, and buy a CD with win XP, what is the difference
between an OEM copy and an Upgrade copy,other then not getting any support
from microsoft?
The operating system itself is the exactly the same on either copy,is this
corect ?
Thanks

 

[Doug Knox MS-MVP]

An Upgrade will upgrade an existing operating system, from Windows 98 through Windows 2000 (XP Pro only for Win2K upgrades). It will also do a clean installation, as long as you can provide a fully installable (not recovery) CD as proof of eligibility for the upgrade.

An OEM version will only do a clean installation, so ensure you have all the necessary drivers, programs and anything else you want to be able to reinstall.

 

[Carl G]

Hi Doug
Thank you for the fast reply.
Yes i have everything on cd.
Just wanted to make sure i get the standard version of windows and not a
cheap version with half of the system missing because i was to cheap to
spend a couple more bucks.
thanks again Doug.

--
Carl G
An Upgrade will upgrade an existing operating system, from Windows 98
through Windows 2000 (XP Pro only for Win2K upgrades). It will also do a
clean installation, as long as you can provide a fully installable (not
recovery) CD as proof of eligibility for the upgrade.

An OEM version will only do a clean installation, so ensure you have all the
necessary drivers, programs and anything else you want to be able to
reinstall.

 

[Doug Knox MS-MVP]

The OEM and Upgrade versions (assuming that they're both the original, have SP1 or have SP2 included) are the same then there is no difference in what's included. Since OEM versions were intended to be pre-installed on new computers, the ability to use them to upgrade is not included.

--
Doug Knox, MS-MVP Windows Media Center\Windows Powered Smart Display\Security
Win 95/98/Me/XP Tweaks and Fixes
http://www.dougknox.com
--------------------------------
Per user Group Policy Restrictions for XP Home and XP Pro
http://www.dougknox.com/xp/utils/xp_securityconsole.htm
--------------------------------
Please reply only to the newsgroup so all may benefit.
Unsolicited e-mail is not answered.

Hi Doug
Thank you for the fast reply.
Yes i have everything on cd.
Just wanted to make sure i get the standard version of windows and not a
cheap version with half of the system missing because i was to cheap to
spend a couple more bucks.
thanks again Doug.

--
Carl G
An Upgrade will upgrade an existing operating system, from Windows 98
through Windows 2000 (XP Pro only for Win2K upgrades). It will also do a
clean installation, as long as you can provide a fully installable (not
recovery) CD as proof of eligibility for the upgrade.

An OEM version will only do a clean installation, so ensure you have all the
necessary drivers, programs and anything else you want to be able to
reinstall.

--
Doug Knox, MS-MVP Windows Media Center\Windows Powered Smart
Display\Security
Win 95/98/Me/XP Tweaks and Fixes
http://www.dougknox.com

 

[Ken Blake]

In

If i go to say, walmart, and buy a CD with win XP, what is the
difference between an OEM copy and an Upgrade copy,other then
not
getting any support from microsoft?
The operating system itself is the exactly the same on either
copy,is
this corect ?

Assuming that you get a complete generic OEM CD, not one
customized for a particular computer, yes, the operating system
is the same.

The OEM version has the following disadvantages as compared with
the retail version:


1. 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.



2. It can only do a clean installation, not an upgrade.



3. Microsoft provides no support for OEM versions. You can't call
them with a problem, but instead have to get any needed support
from your OEM; that support may range anywhere between good and
non-existent. Or you can get support elsewhere, such as in these
newsgroups.

 

[Carl G]

Hi Ken
If i buy OEM cd am i the OEM or is my pc the OEM ?
What i mean is , if I build myself a new pc can i take the hard drive out of
this old pc and put it in a new pc for myself
and sell the old pc with a new hard drive in it and no Operating System ?
Thanks.

 

[Alpha]

Hi Ken
If i buy OEM cd am i the OEM or is my pc the OEM ?
What i mean is , if I build myself a new pc can i take the hard drive out
of this old pc and put it in a new pc for myself
and sell the old pc with a new hard drive in it and no Operating System ?
Thanks.

Do you expect the new PC to have the same motherboard chipset, peripheral
hardware with drivers, etc? This is a pipedream.

 

[Carl G]

Don't have to if i can keep my cd and reinstall windows.

 

[Lil' Dave]

You are misinformed on item 1.

An "OEM" description used here is normally purchased with hardware. It is
not tied to one platform forever. You can do a complete revamp of the PC
its installed on, including the motherboard, and MS is glad to provide a new
activation key by calling the number provided during the new XP install.
Or, you can install XP using the OEM CD on another PC with similar results.

MS doesn't care where the licensed copy of any XP is installed, as long a
you only use and have one installation of this. That's the bottom line and
intent of the license.

The term "OEM" when used with a name brand PC and a recovery XP CD, or the
manufacturers custom install XP CD, or the recovery hidden partition are
only intended to be used on that particular PC only.

 

[Carl G]

Thank you Dave,

--
Carl G

You are misinformed on item 1.

An "OEM" description used here is normally purchased with hardware. It is
not tied to one platform forever. You can do a complete revamp of the PC
its installed on, including the motherboard, and MS is glad to provide a
new
activation key by calling the number provided during the new XP install.
Or, you can install XP using the OEM CD on another PC with similar
results.

MS doesn't care where the licensed copy of any XP is installed, as long a
you only use and have one installation of this. That's the bottom line
and
intent of the license.

The term "OEM" when used with a name brand PC and a recovery XP CD, or the
manufacturers custom install XP CD, or the recovery hidden partition are
only intended to be used on that particular PC only.

 

[Ron Martell]

Hi All
If i go to say, walmart, and buy a CD with win XP, what is the difference
between an OEM copy and an Upgrade copy,other then not getting any support
from microsoft?
The operating system itself is the exactly the same on either copy,is this
corect ?
Thanks

OEM licenses are permanently locked to the first computer that they
are installed on and cannot be legitimately transferred to another
computer even if the first computer is stolen, destroyed, or scrapped.

Retail licenses belong to the purchaser and can be moved from computer
to computer to computer as the purchaser sees fit, provided that the
license is only installed on a single computer at any time.

OEM versions that come bundled with new computers can have significant
differences from the retail version. Among the major possible
differences are:
- Some of these OEM versions make it very difficult (and may require
additional expense) in order to use the Files and Settings Transfer
Wizard.
- Some of these OEM versions will not allow you to boot to the Windows
XP Recovery Console so as to fix certain problems.
- Some of these OEM versions will not allow you to do a "Repair
Install" (also called an "in-place upgrade") of your Windows XP.

Hope this is of some assistance.

Good luck

Ron Martell Duncan B.C. Canada
--
Microsoft MVP
On-Line Help Computer Service
http://onlinehelp.bc.ca

In memory of a dear friend Alex Nichol MVP
http://aumha.org/alex.htm

 

[Ken Blake]

In

Hi Ken
If i buy OEM cd am i the OEM or is my pc the OEM ?
What i mean is , if I build myself a new pc can i take the hard
drive
out of this old pc and put it in a new pc for myself

The rule, as I said below, is that the operating system's license
restricts it to the first computer it's installed on; the license
is only good on the same computer. The problem is that the EULA
doesn't define exactly what you have to keep to have it be "the
same computer." Many people have different points of view on
this, but until (or unless) a court of law hears and rules on
this, they are all nothing but opinions.

I'm not a lawyer, but if it ever came to a court case, I think
you'd have a hard time defending the point of view that all you
needed to keep to make it "the same computer" was the hard drive.

and sell the old pc with a new hard drive in it and no
Operating
System ? Thanks.

Of course you can do that. There's no os licensing issue there at
all.

--
Ken Blake - Microsoft MVP Windows: Shell/User
Please reply to the newsgroup

 

[Donald McDaniel]

Hi Doug
Thank you for the fast reply.
Yes i have everything on cd.
Just wanted to make sure i get the standard version of windows and not a
cheap version with half of the system missing because i was to cheap to
spend a couple more bucks.
thanks again Doug.

--
Carl G
An Upgrade will upgrade an existing operating system, from Windows 98
through Windows 2000 (XP Pro only for Win2K upgrades). It will also do a
clean installation, as long as you can provide a fully installable (not
recovery) CD as proof of eligibility for the upgrade.

An OEM version will only do a clean installation, so ensure you have all the
necessary drivers, programs and anything else you want to be able to
reinstall.

I recommended OEMs for years, until Microsoft began changing the OEM
EULA.

I no longer recommend OEMs. What I DO recommend is that IF (I repeat)
"IF" you possess a previous licensed copy of Windows 9x/ME/NT4.1/2000,
purchase a "Retail Upgrade" copy of XP instead. Why?

1) The SRP for a copy of XP Professional of the "Full Retail" version
is $299, while the "Retail Upgrade" version is $199. Purchasing a
"Retail Upgrade" from Microsoft saves you $100. Why give Microsoft
another $100 if you don't need to?
2) The SRP for a copy of XP Home of the "Full Retail" version is $199,
while the "Retail Upgrade" version is $99. Again, a savings of $100.
3) Holding a Windows XP OEM EULA is no longer a guarantee of lifetime
activations. Microsoft is currently experimenting with the idea of no
longer allowing Internet Activations for OEM products. So far, they
have disabled Internet Activation for OEMs from large System Builders.
Who knows how long it will be before they extend this practice for ALL
OEMs?
4) While so-called "FULL OEM" versions of XP contain and install all
the software found on a "Full Retail" version, the OEM CD will not
allow you to do an Upgrade install, only "clean" installs.
5) Lastly, and MOST IMPORTANTLY: The OEM EULA does NOT allow you to
transfer your license to a subsequently-obtained-or-owned machine if
your old machine craps out. The "Retail Upgrade" license may be
transferred just like a "Full Retail" license.

Some price comparisons:

Going price for an XP PRO "FULL OEM" CD (legally licensed, with the
COA sticker): $119 and up.
Going price for an XP PRO "Full Retail" (legally licensed, with the
COA printed on cover of box): $175-$299
Going price for an XP HOME "Retail Upgade" CD (in the box, with COA
printed on cover of box): $135 and up.
Going price for an XP HOME "FULL OEM" CD (legally licensed, with the
COA sticker): $88-$150. Personally, I wouldn't pay more than $88 for
an XP HOME "FULL OEM" legally-licensed CD.

Donald L McDaniel
Please reply to the original thread
so that conversations may be kept in order
=======================================================

 

[jonah]

The OEM and Upgrade versions (assuming that they're both the original, have SP1 or have SP2 included) are the same then there is no difference in what's included. Since OEM versions were intended to be pre-installed on new computers, the ability to use them to upgrade is not included.

Hey Doug

Turn your word wrap on eh



Ta

Jonah

 

[Doug Knox MS-MVP]

Wraps fine, here.

 

[Carl G]

Thanks Donald,guess i will go with the upgrade.
Thanks all for all the info.

 

[Donald McDaniel]

Thank you Dave,

NOTE, Carl, that Dave is completely in error about Ken Blake's Point
(1) in his post:

These are the facts: The OEM EULA plainly states the conditions under
which an OEM license may be transferred. E.G. The only way a
particular OEM license may be transferred is by fulfilling ALL these
conditions:
1) Wholesale transferrence of that particular COMPLETE machine, either
by sale or as a gift to another person.
2) The OEM license which was initially installed on it, and all copies
of the OEM media, plus all materials provided with the media, such as
the COA sticker containing the Product Key used to install the media
and the little Microsoft booklet which introduces XP to the new owner.
3) The old owner may not keep any copies of the installation media,
either on one of his hard drives, or in the form of an archival copy
such as a CD or DVD, for himself. Nor may he pass out copies to his
friends and family while he still possesses the license.
4) The new owner must himself agree to abide by all the conditions of
the license. This does not mean that the new owner must agree with
the wisdom, necessity, or intelligence of the conditions(since a man's
thought life cannot be legislated by other men), only that he must
agree to abide by the conditions as stated.

It would probably be a good idea to draw up a legal document assigning
all rights of the license and machine to the new owner and give it to
him, and keep a copy for yourself in a safe place. As an added
measure of protection, don't forget to have both your's and the new
ower's signatures notarized. These are not conditions of the license,
only my advice.

Donald L McDaniel
Please reply to the original thread
so that conversations may be kept in order
=======================================================

 

[Frank]

It don't on my reader, the line just goes and goes.

Wraps fine, here.