Tricked at a computer show

[JR]

I built my computer from scratch (components) and
purchased the components from my local show. It seems the
OEM WXP pro I got was a fake.

I went back to the show and reported the issue vendor. The
show had no problem giving me another OEM of W XP Pro.

The problem is I don't want to reload the whole thing. The
current copy I have was confirmed legit.
Is there a way to restore the product info from my legal
copy of XP without reinstalling Windows? I don't want to
do a whole backup and restore, and only get the full
instalation option.

When I run the CD, it mentioned I can't upgrade and gives
me a full only instalation.

Any suggestions? I am trying to do the right thing here,
JR

 

[Scott M.]

I don't think you understand what an OEM is (Original Equipment
Manufacturer). You can't install an OEM on any other machine than the one
it shipped with (and was pre-installed on). Anyone trying to sell you an
OEM, but not the computer that it came pre-installed on is scamming you.

If you built the machine yourself, you need to purchase a retail version of
Windows.

 

[Guest]

What install info do you need to change ? It should be just the authentication code
A call to Microsoft's autentication folks would probably take care of that
They just want to know you own your copy. Re-registration would take care of that

 

[Jupiter Jones [MVP]]

You need to perform a Repair Installation using the legit CD and
Product Key:
http://www3.telus.net/dandemar/repaxp.htm

 

[D.Currie]

If he built the machine himself, he is the OEM...and you can legally buy OEM
software with separate pieces of hardware; you don't need to buy it with a
whole computer.

 

[Scott M.]

But an OEM version is a version that was customized for a specific vendor.
A Dell or Gateway OEM version may not even wind up working correctly on my
custom built machine.

 

[Jupiter Jones [MVP]]

Scott;
Not necessarily.
Some OEM can be installed on any computer because they are not
customized.

 

[Jupiter Jones [MVP]]

Are you sure?
Does Microsoft consider him a System Builder?
http://www.microsoft.com/oem/default.mspx
If not, then the OEM is the seller.

 

[D.Currie]

Depends on which definition you want to go with. A lot of people -- and
businesses-- who build computers don't belong to the system builder program.
They can buy from distributors (who definitely aren't considered OEMs) and
they can build and sell computers. So most people would call them OEMs,
whether they belong to an official program or not.

As far as one guy building a system for himself...well, that would be
stretching it a bit. But as far as the support he's going to get, I doubt
it's going to come from whoever sold him the software. They're going to tell
him that he built the system, he's going to have to figure it out for
himself.

 

[Jupiter Jones [MVP]]

I am not sure what definition Microsoft uses.
However, support does not really prove much.
Obviously OEM gets no support from Microsoft.
Bus as far as I know, there is no requirement for the OEM to provide
any support.
It is just that if there is support, it comes from the OEM.
Usually as in the case of the OP, there is no support from anyone at
all.
I am nor considering Windows Updates as support in this case.

--
Jupiter Jones [MVP]
An easier way to read newsgroup messages:
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/pro/using/newsgroups/setup.asp
http://www3.telus.net/dandemar/

 

[D.Currie]

I am not sure what definition Microsoft uses.
However, support does not really prove much.
Obviously OEM gets no support from Microsoft.
Bus as far as I know, there is no requirement for the OEM to provide
any support.

If you belong to the System Builder program, there is. Not that everyone
follows that rule. And not that any of this has anything to do with the
original question.

 

[Jupiter Jones [MVP]]

How much and for how long?
30 days? More ? Less?

 

[D.Currie]

Heh. There's a good question. Much like the one "what constitutes a new
computer?" for purposes of activation.

There's no specific time limit that I've ever seen, but I've always assumed
that it's for as long as the warranty and/or for as long as you want to keep
the customer happy. It's not something I've ever worried much about, to be
honest. People have OS questions, I answer them, no big deal.

Probably less than the half-life of kryptonite, though.

 

[Jupiter Jones [MVP]]

Thank you, kind of what I thought.
Pretty much up to the seller to give as much or little as desired and
the customer to research various warranty options with the sellers.

--
Jupiter Jones [MVP]
An easier way to read newsgroup messages:
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/pro/using/newsgroups/setup.asp
http://www3.telus.net/dandemar/

 

[Steve Midgley]

How much and for how long?
30 days? More ? Less?

This is from the Microsoft OEM System Builder License printed on an OEM Xp
multi-pack:

End-User Support
"The system builder who installs the software must provide end-user support
on terms at least as favorable as the terms under which the System Builder
provides end-user support for any fully assembled computer system."

So, I guess the answer is that it depends.

Steve Midgley