Windows OEM (re)install & licencing

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chris jones

Hi, a friend an I are in the process of setting up a computer maintanence
business. We have hit a snag in that we are unsure of how we will reinstall
OEM versions of windows. Inevitably we will come across systems that have
OEM versions installed but they need a new HD or the customer just wants
windows reinstalled. So as they dont come with a disc how do we reinstall
it? (all versions, 95..XP) Also sombody has mentioned that you need a
licence to install (new) OEM versions of windows. So we realy need to find
out how to do this before we can get started. It is a serious concern that
we will lose business if we have to charge customers for a new version of
windows when they already have a licence for it on their computer. Is there
someone at microsoft we can contact to find out what we can / can't do /
what we need to do. (We are in the UK).

thanks,

chris
 
chris said:
Hi, a friend an I are in the process of setting up a computer
maintanence business. We have hit a snag in that we are unsure of how
we will reinstall OEM versions of windows. Inevitably we will come
across systems that have OEM versions installed but they need a new
HD or the customer just wants windows reinstalled. So as they dont
come with a disc how do we reinstall it? (all versions, 95..XP) Also
sombody has mentioned that you need a licence to install (new) OEM
versions of windows. So we realy need to find out how to do this
before we can get started. It is a serious concern that we will lose
business if we have to charge customers for a new version of windows
when they already have a licence for it on their computer. Is there
someone at microsoft we can contact to find out what we can / can't
do / what we need to do. (We are in the UK).
Click to expand...

If they do not bring in the CD, you don't reinstall.
If they have an OEM installation previously (old PC) and want to install on
a NEW PC, then you tell them they have to buy Windows XP again to do so and
show them the EULA.

Your hands are more tied than theirs, being a business.
 
1. Only install software (Operating System or Application) for which the
customer has, or purchases from you, the original disks.

2. Never install bootleg software for a customer.

3. Losing business due to having professional ethics is much less expensive
than losing your business and paying large fines for the crime of having
installed pirated software on customer's computers.

4. When tempted to ignore #s 1, 2, and 3, ask yourself:
Who has the most powerful lawyers -- you and your partner, or Microsoft?
Who has the law on their side -- you and your partner, or Microsoft?


Good luck in your business venture!!
 
Some of you are incorrect.
Even if the person who brings in the computer does not have the disk.
You can still install that windows version provided they have the key
and you have the installation disk for the exact same type of
software. This is all you need. This way you don’t have to worry
about Microsoft.

Some of you forgot not all computers can run xp or be upgraded to xp.
They should not be forced to buy a new computer.

Since you are a computer place, you can buy oems without the hardware
as long as it comes sealed with the oem, the key and manual. Watch
where you buy it from.

However, I am not sure what country the oem rules do not apply.
I remember a poster saying because of a law. They are allowed to use
it like a retail version and even sell it. This person checked with a
lawyer.


Greg R
 
chris jones said:
Hi, a friend an I are in the process of setting up a computer maintanence
business. We have hit a snag in that we are unsure of how we will
reinstall
OEM versions of windows. Inevitably we will come across systems that have
OEM versions installed but they need a new HD or the customer just wants
windows reinstalled. So as they dont come with a disc how do we reinstall
it? (all versions, 95..XP) Also sombody has mentioned that you need a
licence to install (new) OEM versions of windows. So we realy need to find
out how to do this before we can get started. It is a serious concern that
we will lose business if we have to charge customers for a new version of
windows when they already have a licence for it on their computer. Is
there
someone at microsoft we can contact to find out what we can / can't do /
what we need to do. (We are in the UK).

thanks,

chris
Click to expand...
If they have the OEM disk, you just install it and it will usually activate
online. If not a short phone call to MS will take care of it. DO NOT install
anything they do not provide (legal software) or buy from you. Your first
priority is to make sure your ass is covered. I have a small computer
business and use OEMs almost exclusively. I have never had any problems,
even after a complete rebuild of a system, when it comes down to legally
reactivating the OEM OS. Follow the law. If they don't have an OS disk,
don't install anything. I keep several copies of XP OEM Pro and Home in
inventory and sell it to them at my cost if they have the work done here.
That way I am legal, they are legal and it prevents a lot of potential
problems down the road. I know it is hard to send a customer away when they
don't have the disk, but down the road, you will be far ahead.

Ed
 
If they have the OEM disk, you just install it and it will usually activate
online. If not a short phone call to MS will take care of it. DO NOT install
anything they do not provide (legal software) or buy from you. Your first
priority is to make sure your ass is covered. I have a small computer
business and use OEMs almost exclusively. I have never had any problems,
even after a complete rebuild of a system, when it comes down to legally
reactivating the OEM OS. Follow the law. If they don't have an OS disk,
don't install anything. I keep several copies of XP OEM Pro and Home in
inventory and sell it to them at my cost if they have the work done here.
That way I am legal, they are legal and it prevents a lot of potential
problems down the road. I know it is hard to send a customer away when they
don't have the disk, but down the road, you will be far ahead.

Ed
Click to expand...

Ed
all you need to legally provide in the U.S. is the key. That all they
need. You can the legally reinstall it. let them active the
computer, not you. This way Microsoft can not do anything about it,
you would not know if it is legal or not.

I guess you would not work on a pre-installed system. (My system does
not have a oem disk. It has a restore disk)

The first priority for me would be the customer. Not Microsoft.
This would bring me income.


Greg R
 
chris jones said:
Hi, a friend an I are in the process of setting up a computer maintanence
business. We have hit a snag in that we are unsure of how we will reinstall
OEM versions of windows. Inevitably we will come across systems that have
OEM versions installed but they need a new HD or the customer just wants
windows reinstalled. So as they dont come with a disc how do we reinstall
it? (all versions, 95..XP) Also sombody has mentioned that you need a
licence to install (new) OEM versions of windows. So we realy need to find
out how to do this before we can get started. It is a serious concern that
we will lose business if we have to charge customers for a new version of
windows when they already have a licence for it on their computer. Is there
someone at microsoft we can contact to find out what we can / can't do /
what we need to do. (We are in the UK).

thanks,

chris
Click to expand...

Microsoft requires that all manufacturers selling computers with OEM
versions of Windows provide some means of reinstalling the operating
system.

There are 3 common methods by which this is done:

1. Providing an OEM installation CD with the computer. In this case
there is zero problem with reinstalling.
2. Providing a "System Recovery" CD with the computer. This CD
typically contains a disk image file of the original Windows XP
install, just as it was when it left the factory. Again there should
be zero problems in doing a clean reinstall on the old drive or onto a
new hard drive. The problems with this type of CD are most often:
- doing a Repair Install so as to preserve installed apps, data files,
etc.
- booting to Recovery Console so as to fix problems from there.
3. Providing a "System Recovery" partition on the hard drive which
contains the same information as a "System Recovery" CD. Problems with
this are the same as #2 plus the additional complication that can
arise if the hard drive has failed completely and the System Recovery
partition cannot be accessed. If this happens and the computer is
out of warranty then the customer is really "screwed blued and
tattooed" and there is not much that can legitimately be done to
recover from this situation.

Hope this clarifies the situation.

Good luck


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

"The reason computer chips are so small is computers don't eat much."
 
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