Licence for Windows-$200?

[PotatoSandWitch]

I heard if you build your own computer you have to get a licence for windows. The guy said it was a hassle and costed like 200 bucks. Is that true?

 

[spherrod]

You have to get a legal copy of Windows, if building a PC you can get an OEM version with relevant hardware

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16837102151

 

[PotatoSandWitch]

Ya I'm going to get a legal windows, but is there an additional fee for the licence? And if the retails about the same price as OEM, whats the difference?

 

[spherrod]

If you buy a copy of Windows you have 1 license. OEM is tied to the hardware you brought it with (e.g: motherboard) so if you then wanted to install it on another PC you'd be breaking the license agreement

 

[PotatoSandWitch]

Oh, ok thanks, this guy told me that there was a seperate licence fee, but I think now i know he meant that windows XP itself costed 200 bucks, although I can get a retail for just 88.

 

[bwnv]

OEM isn't tied to the hardware. It just means you can't buy it without buying hardware at the same time. You could legally buy a IDE cable or some other part for a buck or so to satisfy the OEM requirement.

 

[spherrod]

Once the OEM copy is installed on the system you have built for it you can't then install it on another machine (even if you format the other machine) without breaking the license agreement