Windows XP OEM vs Retail

[kpburke]

Hi everyone.

I was wondering what the difference is between buying Windows XP OEM
vs retail as I see both versions offered on different websites. I'm
interested in getting XP because I just purchased a MacBook and want
to still play some of my computer games, etc. I know that if you buy
the OEM version you need receipts showing you purchased a motherboard,
etc. Does that mean my receipt showing a Mac purchase won't be legit?

Thanks for your help.

-Kevin

 

[John]

Hi everyone.

I was wondering what the difference is between buying Windows XP OEM
vs retail as I see both versions offered on different websites. I'm
interested in getting XP because I just purchased a MacBook and want
to still play some of my computer games, etc. I know that if you buy
the OEM version you need receipts showing you purchased a motherboard,
etc. Does that mean my receipt showing a Mac purchase won't be legit?

Thanks for your help.

-Kevin

Microsoft does not provide support for the OEM version.
It was intended for companies that build computers hence
the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) designation.
It is the OEM company that must provide support to their
customers. If you buy the OEM version, you are agreeing
to provide your own support.

When you purchase an OEM version a piece of hardware
will come with it. It will be the cheapest thing that they
have on hand. Most of the time it can only be used to
take up space in your waste basket.

The receipt for your MAC has nothing to do with it.

 

[Shenan Stanley]

I was wondering what the difference is between buying Windows XP OEM
vs retail as I see both versions offered on different websites. I'm
interested in getting XP because I just purchased a MacBook and want
to still play some of my computer games, etc. I know that if you buy
the OEM version you need receipts showing you purchased a
motherboard, etc. Does that mean my receipt showing a Mac purchase
won't be legit?

Thanks for your help.

As far as what you need when buying it - let the people selling it to you
worry about that.

As far as what *you* get - you get a legitimate copy (if bought from a
legitmate dealer - like NewEgg) that is no different than a full retail
version other than licensing terms (if it has not been 'messed with' and
most generic OEMs have not benn 'messed with'.) The difference in licensing
has to do with support (you get it from whom you bought it from) and
transferrability (you cannot transfer it from the first machine you
installed it on.)

I have seen comapnies sell 'just the OEM' and I have seen companies sell the
OEM with a 'CD Audio Cable' as the qualifying hardware.

 

[Tim Slattery]

As far as what *you* get - you get a legitimate copy (if bought from a
legitmate dealer - like NewEgg) that is no different than a full retail
version other than licensing terms (if it has not been 'messed with' and
most generic OEMs have not benn 'messed with'.)

Yes it is, in one significant way. An OEM disk will not upgrade an
existing OS, like a retail upgrade or full retail disk will. An OEM
disk can only be installed on a disk that does not already have an OS
on it.

 

[Shenan Stanley]

I was wondering what the difference is between buying Windows XP OEM
vs retail as I see both versions offered on different websites. I'm
interested in getting XP because I just purchased a MacBook and want
to still play some of my computer games, etc. I know that if you buy
the OEM version you need receipts showing you purchased a
motherboard, etc. Does that mean my receipt showing a Mac purchase
won't be legit?

As far as what you need when buying it - let the people selling it
to you worry about that.

As far as what *you* get - you get a legitimate copy (if bought
from a legitmate dealer - like NewEgg) that is no different than a
full retail version other than licensing terms (if it has not been
'messed with' and most generic OEMs have not benn 'messed with'.)
The difference in licensing has to do with support (you get it from
whom you bought it from) and transferrability (you cannot transfer
it from the first machine you installed it on.)

I have seen comapnies sell 'just the OEM' and I have seen companies
sell the OEM with a 'CD Audio Cable' as the qualifying hardware.

Yes it is, in one significant way. An OEM disk will not upgrade an
existing OS, like a retail upgrade or full retail disk will. An OEM
disk can only be installed on a disk that does not already have an
OS on it.

Thanks for the catch...
Don't know how I missed posting that too...
Given that less than an hour before I had made that point elsewhere. heh

 

[Bruce Chambers]

Hi everyone.

I was wondering what the difference is between buying Windows XP OEM
vs retail as I see both versions offered on different websites. I'm
interested in getting XP because I just purchased a MacBook and want
to still play some of my computer games, etc. I know that if you buy
the OEM version you need receipts showing you purchased a motherboard,
etc. Does that mean my receipt showing a Mac purchase won't be legit?

Thanks for your help.

-Kevin

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

Help us help you:



They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety
deserve neither liberty nor safety. -Benjamin Franklin

Many people would rather die than think; in fact, most do. -Bertrand Russell

 

[Rock]

Replies inline:

The OEM version you're speaking of is the generic version.

Retail, you get 30 days of MS support after installation.

There is no time limit. You get two free support incidents. Installation
support is free as are problems with windows updates.

Generic OEM, none.

Correct. The person who installed it is responsible for the support. If
you bought and installed it yourself, then you are the tech support.

Retail, you can do a repair install. Generic OEM, only a clean install.

This is not quite correct. A generic OEM version can do a repair install.
What it can't do is an upgrade, only a clean install. Is that what you
meant?

 

[Rock]

Replies inline:

The OEM version you're speaking of is the generic version.

Retail, you get 30 days of MS support after installation.

There is no time limit. You get two free support incidents. Installation
support is free as are problems with windows updates.

Generic OEM, none.

Correct. The person who installed it is responsible for the support. If
you bought and installed it yourself, then you are the tech support.

Retail, you can do a repair install. Generic OEM, only a clean install.

This is not quite correct. A generic OEM version can do a repair install.
What it can't do is an upgrade, only a clean install. Is that what you
meant?

However, something's amiss there because that's not true with my generic
OEM XP install CD.

To purchase a generic OEM version of XP install CD, you must purchase
specific hardware at the vendor's website IN congress/at the same time.
If you have any questions regarding this, contact the vendor you intend
doing business with.

--
Rock [MS-MVP User/Shell]

Apathy and denial are close cousins

Well maybe there is a time limit on those 2 free support incidents. I'm not
sure now. Maybe some one can clarify?

 

[Dave]

The OEM version you're speaking of is the generic version.

Retail, you get 30 days of MS support after installation. Generic OEM,
none.
Retail, you can do a repair install. Generic OEM, only a clean install.
However, something's amiss there because that's not true with my generic OEM
XP install CD.

To purchase a generic OEM version of XP install CD, you must purchase
specific hardware at the vendor's website IN congress/at the same time. If
you have any questions regarding this, contact the vendor you intend doing
business with.

 

[Dave]

Number 4 is not valid in the thread. Vendors the OP was speaking of don't
sell specific XP OEM install CDs bound to a specific PC's bios etc. Special
drivers for specifically made PCs etc either.

Number 1 is a little tight in language, but, loose in reality. Put the
product key sticker on the case. Install generic OEM XP to the innards.
Change all the innards out, say, 4 months later with a clean install of
course using same install CD. Most people would consider this a entirely
new PC. However, regarding activation, MS has no problem with it. Just my
experiences here. As far as tranferring ownership, yes, the installation
goes with the case and innards at the time of changing hands they say.
However, MS asks for your name/address/city/state/zip in reactivation
online. So, MS considers the XP product belonging to whoever activated it
at the time. Not who purchases the PC later.

Number 2. If you can't get by the first 30 days (length of MS support), you
have no business getting a generic OEM version of XP installation CD.

Number 3 is quite accurate.

 

[Gordon]

2) Microsoft provides no free support for OEM versions.

Since when did they provide /free/ support for Retail versions?

 

[Rock]

Since when did they provide /free/ support for Retail versions?

Since always. It's two free support incidents. I thought it used to be
three.

 

[Alias]

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)

It's been changed. One can only buy a generic OEM copy of XP with a
motherboard, CPU, RAM and hard drive. Same thing is true for Vista.

Alias

 

[Scott]

But saying a OEM can't be installed on a OLD PC what if you changed a piece
of hardware, does this not constitute under Microsoft's terms and conditions
as a NEW PC? and therefore a OEM can be installed.

 

[Gordon]

But saying a OEM can't be installed on a OLD PC what if you changed a
piece of hardware, does this not constitute under Microsoft's terms and
conditions as a NEW PC? and therefore a OEM can be installed.

No it doesn't. if you read the EULA there is NOTHING about what does or does
not constitute a new PC, and further more, nothing has NEVER been tested in
a court of law.
The deciding factor here is NOT what MS say, but what the OEM Vendor says.
THEY are the arbitrating factor in what constitutes a new PC. if the OEM
Vendor states that the PC is the case in which it is contained, then you
are at liberty to change ANYTHING within that case.

 

[norm]

It's been changed. One can only buy a generic OEM copy of XP with a
motherboard, CPU, RAM and hard drive. Same thing is true for Vista.

Alias

On the newegg site, which may or may not be representative, xp oem can
be purchased if the following criteria are met:
Disclaimer: Qualifying proof of purchase must be recent receipts showing
the purchase of a mother board, hard drive, RAM and a CPU. The
components can be on multiple receipts; not necessarily all on one
receipt nor on the same receipt as the qualifying Windows XP/Office 2003
that you purchased.

There is no such requirement for vista oem.

 

[Timothy Daniels]

On the newegg site, which may or may not be representative,
xp oem can be purchased if the following criteria are met:
Disclaimer: Qualifying proof of purchase must be recent receipts
showing
the purchase of a mother board, hard drive, RAM and a CPU.
The components can be on multiple receipts; not necessarily all
on one receipt nor on the same receipt as the qualifying
Windows XP/Office 2003 that you purchased.

To whom must these receipts be shown, and how must they
be shown? Does NewEgg just take your word for it?

*TimDaniels*

 

[norm]

To whom must these receipts be shown, and how must they
be shown? Does NewEgg just take your word for it?

*TimDaniels*

I don't know. I could guess that possibly one could reference previous
purchases from newegg on those items, or possibly have to send copies of
dated receipts to newegg before the os item is shipped. Or maybe they
are just required to state the disclaimer and nothing else has to
happen. Hard to say. As a follow up, an xp oem offering from tigerdirect
states NOTHING about a hardware requirement purchase. Looks like there
are no clear guidelines across the board for sellers. Caveat emptor.
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=2552182&CatId=672

 

[Timothy Daniels]

I don't know. I could guess that possibly one could reference previous
purchases from newegg on those items, or possibly have to send copies of dated
receipts to newegg before the os item is shipped. Or maybe they are just
required to state the disclaimer and nothing else has to happen. Hard to say.
As a follow up, an xp oem offering from tigerdirect states NOTHING about a
hardware requirement purchase. Looks like there are no clear guidelines across
the board for sellers. Caveat emptor.
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=2552182&CatId=672

Something tells me that NewEgg (and others) may just take your
word for it. ;-)

*TimDaniels*

 

[norm]

Something tells me that NewEgg (and others) may just take your
word for it. ;-)

*TimDaniels*

That would probably be a reasonably safe bet.