OEM

[Brett A.]

(I tried to post this earlier but I think my post never
went through, so if my previous post all of a sudden shows
up I apologize for the re-post)

I'm starting up a company and I need to buy several copies
of Windows XP for my computers (please note that I'm not
selling these computers, I'm going to be using them).

Anyway, I've found this site buycheapsoftware_com that is
selling OEM versions of XP (and it's considerably cheaper
than the retail version). So I'm wondering if it would be
legal for my company to purchase the OEM versions?

Thanks for the help!

 

[Willit]

Sure, that is why they sell them. OEM works the same , the
service MS provides sux's anyway. I wouldn't waste my
money on a retail version.

 

[Rick \Nutcase\ Rogers]

Hi Brett,

They're perfectly legal to use. Keep in mind that with OEM versions.....

- You get no support from Microsoft
- They are permanently tied to the first system they are activated on

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers aka "Nutcase" MS-MVP - Win9x

Associate Expert - WinXP - Expert Zone

 

[Alex Nichol]

Anyway, I've found this site buycheapsoftware_com that is
selling OEM versions of XP (and it's considerably cheaper
than the retail version). So I'm wondering if it would be
legal for my company to purchase the OEM versions?

It did and there were several answers - maybe you looked back too soon.
People answering are all around the world, and it may be 24 hours before
your post gets seen.

That company seems to be in LA so the presumption is that these would be
legal OEM copies, which you could use. The main limitations are that
they are only able to do 'clean' installations, and that they may not be
transferred later to other machines.

You might also investigate the cost of a Volume License for the number
of machines you will have - this starts as low as five, and has the
benefit of the 'activation' being handled differently, with audit checks
that you have not exceeded the number of installations licensed. See
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/pro/howtobuy/pricingvolume.asp