Question about OEM versions of windows.

[Guest]

I am in the process of building a new computer and need an operation system.
Im not going to wait for Vista so I think im going to get XP Pro. So im
looking around and find out that there is a 32 bit and 64 bit version. Okay
so since Im getting a 64 bit processor I should get the 64 bit operating
system right? Another think I dont understand is how OEM works with software.
On newegg they have a 64 bit version of XP PRO for like 146$ which is a good
price.

Here what has me worried about Neweggs policy on OEM.

~Quote~

OEM versions are intended for system builders only and cannot be transferred
to another PC once it is installed. Purchasers of this software are required
to comply with the terms of the System Builder License, including
responsibility for providing all end-user support. Newegg.com is not
responsible for system/software incompatibility, and incompatibility issues
do not qualify software as damaged or defective.

~Unquote~

Now does that mean I can only install the OS one time? I mean what if
somthing happens to my computer and I need to reformat. Does that mean I cant
use the installation disk again and have to buy another operating system?
They dont watermark it or something do they? And what is up with this
agreement thing and this talk about incompatibility issues. Are OEM versions
something totally different that what I would pick up at the store? Im really
confused on what to get.

 

[Carey Frisch [MVP]]

OEM versions of Windows XP:

-- cannot upgrade over an existing Windows installation.
-- must be installed "clean" on a freshly reformatted drive or partition.
-- 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.
-- 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.

Best Advice: Purchase a "Retail Version" of Windows XP!

However, the 64-bit version of Windows XP is only available
as an OEM version. You can reinstall this version as many times
as you please, as long as it is on the same computer and the
motherboard remains the same.

List of Limitations in 64-Bit Windows
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;282423&Product=winxp

Cannot Install Some Programs on Windows XP for 64-bit Platforms
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;298218&Product=winxp

Please visit the new Windows 64-bit newsgroup:
news://msnews.microsoft.com/microsoft.public.windows.64bit.general

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

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

:

| I am in the process of building a new computer and need an operation system.
| Im not going to wait for Vista so I think im going to get XP Pro. So im
| looking around and find out that there is a 32 bit and 64 bit version. Okay
| so since Im getting a 64 bit processor I should get the 64 bit operating
| system right? Another think I dont understand is how OEM works with software.
| On newegg they have a 64 bit version of XP PRO for like 146$ which is a good
| price.
|
| Here what has me worried about Neweggs policy on OEM.
|
| ~Quote~
|
| OEM versions are intended for system builders only and cannot be transferred
| to another PC once it is installed. Purchasers of this software are required
| to comply with the terms of the System Builder License, including
| responsibility for providing all end-user support. Newegg.com is not
| responsible for system/software incompatibility, and incompatibility issues
| do not qualify software as damaged or defective.
|
| ~Unquote~
|
| Now does that mean I can only install the OS one time? I mean what if
| somthing happens to my computer and I need to reformat. Does that mean I cant
| use the installation disk again and have to buy another operating system?
| They dont watermark it or something do they? And what is up with this
| agreement thing and this talk about incompatibility issues. Are OEM versions
| something totally different that what I would pick up at the store? Im really
| confused on what to get.

 

[Alceryes]

OEM versions are the same as the store bought versions. The difference is in
the licensing.

OEM versions are intended for system builders only and cannot be
transferred
to another PC once it is installed. Purchasers of this software are
required

I'm guessing they are saying that OEM versions are 'locked' to the system it
is originally installed on. You can reload it as many times as you want on
THAT computer. If you replace the system you have to buy a new version of XP
for the new computer. The you also have the whole upgrade thing where you
can change a certain number of pieces of hardware without having to
re-activate. You also have this 120 day grace period thing (from initial
install) where MS will allow you to re-activate the OS even if you change
every piece of hardware (I think). I've read it before but don't remember
the specifics on the hardware changes that warrant re-activation...can
someone supply a link?
--


"I don't cheat to survive. I cheat to LIVE!!"
- Alceryes

 

[Uncle Joe]

Hmmm. When I built my PC two years ago, I
not only bought a mobo, CPU, HDD, but I
purchased a Windows XP Home OS disc.
The XP CD was in a separate sleve and I
put all the components together. No way the
XP OS is "tied" to my mobo.

Thought I was buying an OEM CD-ROM,
but based on the OEM licensing features
you provided, I must have purchased a
retail CD license. The CD doesn't say.

 

[Uncle Joe]

Just checked the sleeve the CD-ROM came in
and it does say "OEM product". I did install
it on a clean HDD. Am I prohibited from using
this CD to justify an upgrade to XP Pro or to
Vista when it comes out? I just threw out
my old retail Win98 CD last week.

 

[Alias]

OEM versions of Windows XP:

-- cannot upgrade over an existing Windows installation.
-- must be installed "clean" on a freshly reformatted drive or partition.
-- 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.
-- 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.

Best Advice: Purchase a "Retail Version" of Windows XP!

If you're rich, yeah, best advice. If you aren't, get a generic OEM like at
Newegg.

Oh, and if you live in Spain, full retail is not available, only retail
upgrades for the price of both kidneys.

Alias

 

[Alias]

Hmmm. When I built my PC two years ago, I
not only bought a mobo, CPU, HDD, but I
purchased a Windows XP Home OS disc.
The XP CD was in a separate sleve and I
put all the components together. No way the
XP OS is "tied" to my mobo.

Thought I was buying an OEM CD-ROM,
but based on the OEM licensing features
you provided, I must have purchased a
retail CD license. The CD doesn't say.

The computer does. Right click on My Computer/Properties. If you don't see
"OEM" in the long number under "Registered to:", then you have retail.

Alias

 

[Steve N.]

OEM versions of Windows XP:

-- cannot upgrade over an existing Windows installation.
-- must be installed "clean" on a freshly reformatted drive or partition.

Not true. I've done numerous repair installs of OEM, the only OEM CDs
I've ever seen that won't let you do a repair install are the stupid
"Quick Restore" type that are crippled down to automatically
re-installing the OS with no user input, which by the way, does not
require nor allow for a fresh format either.

-- cannot be transferred to a different computer in the future.
-- the license cannot be sold or transferred to another user.

Sure it can if it is sold with the computer it's on!

-- are not eligible for free Microsoft technical support.
-- 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.

Best Advice: Purchase a "Retail Version" of Windows XP!

No, the best advice is to buy a generic OEM CD.

Steve

 

[Gary Woodruff]

Much more on WPA in Alex Nichols article.
http://aumha.org/win5/a/wpa.htm
--
Gary Woodruff MS-MVP Shell/User

"That'll be the day" - John Wayne in The Searchers

"Alceryes"

 

[Ghostrider]

Just checked the sleeve the CD-ROM came in
and it does say "OEM product". I did install
it on a clean HDD. Am I prohibited from using
this CD to justify an upgrade to XP Pro or to
Vista when it comes out? I just threw out
my old retail Win98 CD last week.

Microsoft is not going to prevent you from upgrading, so
long as it is to the retail version of Windows XP or the
new Vista. An OEM version cannot be used to upgrade an
existing Windows installation.

 

[Gary Woodruff]

The comment below are from my Article on Upgrading to WinXP. It will likely hold
true into Vista as well, but that must be speculation on my part at this point.
http://aumha.org/win5/a/xpupgrad.htm
Also, the old question remains of whether an OEM CD or "Restore Disk" supplied by
your computer manufacturer will "qualify." The answer is that not all will work for
this purpose, mostly because the Windows CAB files are not in evidence. Check with
your computer manufacturer to confirm that your copy qualifies, or buy your Upgrade
copy directly from them. Presently, the only company that I have confirmed all their
OEM CD's will "qualify" is Dell. I talked to a Dell Representative during the XP
Launch in New York City on the trade show floor who confirmed this and stated that
they understood the importance of keeping it that way.

So what do you do if your OEM CD or Restore disk does not work as qualifying media?
One neat new feature of XP allows one to get around this problem. First, start the XP
clean install from within an existing qualified install rather then from the XP CD or
from a DOS prompt. When you see the screen that ask what type of install to do,
change "Upgrade (Recommended)" to "New install." You can then select the existing
partition, format it, and do a Clean Install, never having to insert your qualifying
product CD.
--
Gary Woodruff MS-MVP Shell/User

"That'll be the day" - John Wayne in The Searchers


"Uncle Joe"

 

[Chuck]

The confusion is because major vendors such as HP, Gateway, and Dell sell
systems with the windows software "locked" to a particuliar hardware
package. This type of OEM software will not install or run on different
hardware.

A "generic" OEM release sold at retail with hardware, such as a hard drive
is not locked in the same manner. Usually, this sort of OEM version was sold
to the vendor in a "five pack" (smallest package) , and the vendor breaks up
the package into individual ones. This type of OEM version may "lock" after
install to the system it was installed on, in a manner similar to the normal
retail version. One concern might be that the vendor did not include
utilities included with the package but not residing on the install CD.

(You cannot easily change such things as motherboards and use an already
configured version that is on the systems hard drive)
(It can be done via a repair or reinstall.)

 

[Alceryes]

Hmmm. When I built my PC two years ago, I

not only bought a mobo, CPU, HDD, but I
purchased a Windows XP Home OS disc.
The XP CD was in a separate sleve and I
put all the components together. No way the
XP OS is "tied" to my mobo.

I should have said "tied to the first system it is installed on". Windows XP
creates a hardware hash code of the components it is installed on, and uses
that for activation.
--


"I don't cheat to survive. I cheat to LIVE!!"
- Alceryes

 

[Uncle Joe]

Followed your advice. Properties
start off with 55277-OEM...

Drat!

My

 

[Michael Stevens]

In

Just checked the sleeve the CD-ROM came in
and it does say "OEM product". I did install
it on a clean HDD. Am I prohibited from using
this CD to justify an upgrade to XP Pro or to
Vista when it comes out? I just threw out
my old retail Win98 CD last week.

No.

--
Michael Stevens MS-MVP XP
(e-mail address removed)
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com
For a better newsgroup experience. Setup a newsreader.
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/outlookexpressnewreader.htm

 

[GregRo]

Microsoft is not going to prevent you from upgrading, so
long as it is to the retail version of Windows XP or the
new Vista. An OEM version cannot be used to upgrade an
existing Windows installation.

Unless you have a upgrade oem disk.

The oem cd can be used for retail upgrades


Greg Ro

 

[GregRo]

The confusion is because major vendors such as HP, Gateway, and Dell sell
systems with the windows software "locked" to a particuliar hardware
package. This type of OEM software will not install or run on different
hardware.

They is a legal way around that restiction but it is hard to do.


Greg Ro

 

[Uncle Joe]

Thanks, Michael.

In

No.

--
Michael Stevens MS-MVP XP
(e-mail address removed)
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com
For a better newsgroup experience. Setup a newsreader.
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/outlookexpressnewreader.htm

 

[Bob I]

Unless you have a upgrade oem disk.

The the heck is an ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ ?!?!?!?!?!?

 

[Bruce Chambers]

I am in the process of building a new computer and need an operation system.
Im not going to wait for Vista so I think im going to get XP Pro. So im
looking around and find out that there is a 32 bit and 64 bit version. Okay
so since Im getting a 64 bit processor I should get the 64 bit operating
system right?

Not necessarily. You also need to ensure that there are 64-bit device
drivers available for all of the PC's components and all of your
peripherals before deciding to purchase and use WinXPx64. Both AMD's
Athlon64 and Intel's EM64T CPU's also support the 32-bit versions of
WinXP without problem.

Another think I dont understand is how OEM works with software.
On newegg they have a 64 bit version of XP PRO for like 146$ which is a good
price.

Here what has me worried about Neweggs policy on OEM.

~Quote~

OEM versions are intended for system builders only and cannot be transferred
to another PC once it is installed. Purchasers of this software are required
to comply with the terms of the System Builder License, including
responsibility for providing all end-user support. Newegg.com is not
responsible for system/software incompatibility, and incompatibility issues
do not qualify software as damaged or defective.

~Unquote~

Now does that mean I can only install the OS one time?

No. It means just what it says. An OEM license cannot legitimately be
removed from one computer and subsequently installed on a different
computer. this in no way limits the number of time it can be
reinstalled on the same computer.

I mean what if
somthing happens to my computer and I need to reformat. Does that mean I cant
use the installation disk again and have to buy another operating system?
They dont watermark it or something do they? And what is up with this
agreement thing and this talk about incompatibility issues. Are OEM versions
something totally different that what I would pick up at the store? Im really
confused on what to get.

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 non-peripheral
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 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 of PC, as an additional anti-piracy feature. Further,
such CDs are 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 on-line like eBay, 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

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