oem computer products

Coligion

Junior Member
Jul 13, 2005
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I'm looking to build a computer for the first time, but have some questions about oem products. From what I've read they seem to be legit products, minus the retail box and intructions. My questions is are they legal to buy for the average joe system builder? I've read and been told that the only legit way to buy oem stuff is if you are a certified system builder, which i am not obviously. I'm just looking to build the system for my own use and save some money if it's all correct. Does what I'm saying also carry over to Windows XP oem as well? Thanks for the input.
 

Fern

Elite Member
Sep 30, 2003
26,907
174
106
Hi Coligion and Welcome to the Forums!

Yes it's legal to buy use OEM products to use for builds. Otherwise Newegg etc w/b in trouble.

Most of use OEM, they make lack some accessories and have a shorter warrantry period. Since we often OC, we void the warranty anyway. Of course the OEM products are (usually) cheaper.

Don't know about OEM MS windows, somebody will come along with technical info on the EULA agreement/contract. I don't use winXP anyway.

Fern
 

LeiZaK

Diamond Member
May 25, 2005
3,749
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the only stipulation for OEM software such as WinXP is that you purchase a piece of hardware with it.
 

Fern

Elite Member
Sep 30, 2003
26,907
174
106
Yeah, that's what I've heard too. I guess Newegg wants you to buy a cable or something along with the OEM OS ;)
 

t3h l337 n3wb

Platinum Member
Apr 22, 2005
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If you're buying OEM motherboards, you'll have to go out and buy some accessories, I like buying retail just so everything can be in a nice package for me, and I won't have to go out and buy all those cables.
 

mwmorph

Diamond Member
Dec 27, 2004
8,877
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Try not to buy OEM Microsoft Windows since in the EULA, it says you cant transfer the software to another computer if you decide to build another one and sell that comp. Even if yuo uninstall it from the original comp, it's still forbidden. No problems with Retial Windows or other MS products though.
 

n7

Elite Member
Jan 4, 2004
21,281
4
81
OEM is great for when you buy hard drives, video cards, & software, since you rarely need the cables with those things (with a good PSU, you'll have more than enough power cables), & for software, it's cheaper that way.
 

Coligion

Junior Member
Jul 13, 2005
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Ok, so you're all saying I'm not breaking any rules by getting oem stuff then right? That certified system builder thing I mentioned isn't an issue? Thanks for the help.
 

Matt2

Diamond Member
Jul 28, 2001
4,762
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Originally posted by: Coligion
Ok, so you're all saying I'm not breaking any rules by getting oem stuff then right? That certified system builder thing I mentioned isn't an issue? Thanks for the help.

Nope, cause I'd be posting from jail.
 

Leros

Lifer
Jul 11, 2004
21,867
7
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Originally posted by: mwmorph
Try not to buy OEM Microsoft Windows since in the EULA, it says you cant transfer the software to another computer if you decide to build another one and sell that comp. Even if yuo uninstall it from the original comp, it's still forbidden. No problems with Retial Windows or other MS products though.

Hmmm... Ive never had a problem. Ive installed it on a computer, then upgraded and installed on the new machine (after formatting old harddrive) with no problem. I had no idea that was against EULA.
 
Nov 11, 2004
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Originally posted by: JToxic
Originally posted by: mwmorph
Try not to buy OEM Microsoft Windows since in the EULA, it says you cant transfer the software to another computer if you decide to build another one and sell that comp. Even if yuo uninstall it from the original comp, it's still forbidden. No problems with Retial Windows or other MS products though.

Hmmm... Ive never had a problem. Ive installed it on a computer, then upgraded and installed on the new machine (after formatting old harddrive) with no problem. I had no idea that was against EULA.


It's not. The EULA only says that you must only have it installed on *ONE* computer.
 

mwmorph

Diamond Member
Dec 27, 2004
8,877
1
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Originally posted by: Kensai
Originally posted by: JToxic
Originally posted by: mwmorph
Try not to buy OEM Microsoft Windows since in the EULA, it says you cant transfer the software to another computer if you decide to build another one and sell that comp. Even if yuo uninstall it from the original comp, it's still forbidden. No problems with Retial Windows or other MS products though.

Hmmm... Ive never had a problem. Ive installed it on a computer, then upgraded and installed on the new machine (after formatting old harddrive) with no problem. I had no idea that was against EULA.


It's not. The EULA only says that you must only have it installed on *ONE* computer.


do yuo have retail or IEM? my disc/manual says it must remail only on the computer it was sold with. I have 3 HP pcs with the oem manual/package that says no transfers.
 

Navid

Diamond Member
Jul 26, 2004
5,053
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Originally posted by: Kensai
Originally posted by: JToxic
Originally posted by: mwmorph
Try not to buy OEM Microsoft Windows since in the EULA, it says you cant transfer the software to another computer if you decide to build another one and sell that comp. Even if yuo uninstall it from the original comp, it's still forbidden. No problems with Retial Windows or other MS products though.

Hmmm... Ive never had a problem. Ive installed it on a computer, then upgraded and installed on the new machine (after formatting old harddrive) with no problem. I had no idea that was against EULA.


It's not. The EULA only says that you must only have it installed on *ONE* computer.

That is not true!
It is against what is written in the EULA.
After you install OEM XP on a machine, it is attached to the machine forever. You are even required to attach the certificate of authenticity to the case of the computer. Even if that computer dies, you cannot officially install it on any other machine.

The reason the other person who said he installed it on more than one machine was able to activate it is the limitation of how the activation procedure works. The data in the database is erased after about 4 months. So, after 4 months, you can install it on another machine. But, that does not make it legal!

From this site:
The OEM license is tied to the machine on which it was originally installed and can't be transferred to other machines.
 

kitkat22

Golden Member
Feb 10, 2005
1,464
1,333
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Ditto on the windows OEM stuff. It is illegal to make the transfer to another computer.
 

ShellGuy

Golden Member
Mar 1, 2004
1,343
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Just get the OEM software and keep your image up to date and you will never have to reinstall windows again on your system. If you sell your machine pull your hdd and get a blank one for the person.


Will G.
 

mwmorph

Diamond Member
Dec 27, 2004
8,877
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Listen to these p[eople. MS is creacking down hard on piraters and eula violators. if yuo get caught, lega action is almost guranteed.
 

Leros

Lifer
Jul 11, 2004
21,867
7
81
Originally posted by: Navid
Originally posted by: Kensai
Originally posted by: JToxic
Originally posted by: mwmorph
Try not to buy OEM Microsoft Windows since in the EULA, it says you cant transfer the software to another computer if you decide to build another one and sell that comp. Even if yuo uninstall it from the original comp, it's still forbidden. No problems with Retial Windows or other MS products though.

Hmmm... Ive never had a problem. Ive installed it on a computer, then upgraded and installed on the new machine (after formatting old harddrive) with no problem. I had no idea that was against EULA.

By machine do they mean one harddrive? For example, if I upgraded everything except the harddrive, is that legal?


It's not. The EULA only says that you must only have it installed on *ONE* computer.

That is not true!
It is against what is written in the EULA.
After you install OEM XP on a machine, it is attached to the machine forever. You are even required to attach the certificate of authenticity to the case of the computer. Even if that computer dies, you cannot officially install it on any other machine.

The reason the other person who said he installed it on more than one machine was able to activate it is the limitation of how the activation procedure works. The data in the database is erased after about 4 months. So, after 4 months, you can install it on another machine. But, that does not make it legal!

From this site:
The OEM license is tied to the machine on which it was originally installed and can't be transferred to other machines.

If I were to upgrade everything in my computer except the harddrive, would that be legal?

 

Navid

Diamond Member
Jul 26, 2004
5,053
0
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Originally posted by: russianpower
Which version will be ok for installing on different PCs? OEM or retail?

Retail: Only one PC at any point in time. So, you can uninstall from one and install on another.
OEM: Only one PC forever!
 

w00t

Diamond Member
Nov 5, 2004
5,545
0
0
it is legal. but i recommend buying retail processor's check warranty on oem stuff so you dont get ripped.
 

Rock Hydra

Diamond Member
Dec 13, 2004
6,466
1
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I thought the stipulation with installing windows on a different machine is that you're supposed to have that sticker with the license key on the case.