OEM Windows XP: What are the disadvantages?

[Infohawk]

I'm shopping for windows xp home. OEM prices are around $90 for the full version. I know they don't provide support, but I don't really need that. What is else is bad about picking up the OEM vs the more expensive regular deals? Are there ever problems registering with Microsoft or anything like that?

 

[DefRef]

Absotively nothing wrong with it other than the lack of support. Why would there be reg problems? It's no different than if "Joe's PC Barn" bought it and installed it on the white box they sell you or you get it yourself.

Also, don't forget that "Upgrade" software is no different than the "Full" version other than if it doesn't detect a valid OS, you'll be prompted to insert your CD from the eligible upgrade product.

 

[RSMemphis]

in principle, you need to buy some hardware with it, like a harddisk, for instance. Depending on the vendor, that may be or not be a problem.

Other than that, you get the same product...

 

[vash]

The only difference between the OEM and boxed versions is where you go for support. With the boxed copy, you bug MS directly. With the OEMs, you go back to the people you bought it from for OS support. For most people, their support is the WWW, so that's not a problem at all. To typically purchase an OEM version, you need to buy accompanying hardware to go along with it, such as a hard drive, motheboard or processor. If someone sells you an OEM without you buying those pieces of hardware, they are in violation of their agreement to MS, but that's not your problem.

vash

 

[Workin']

You're missing the most important OEM distinction - the license is "married" to the piece of hardware you had to buy to get the license. That means that the license is only valid on the first machine you install the OEM product on. Meaning, if you sell that PC, the OEM license goes with it. If you throw the machine in the trash, the OEM license goes with it. If you buy a new PC, you can't re-use that OEM license even if you uninstall it from the original machine.

 

[vash]

Originally posted by: Workin'
You're missing the most important OEM distinction - the license is "married" to the piece of hardware you had to buy to get the license. That means that the license is only valid on the first machine you install the OEM product on. Meaning, if you sell that PC, the OEM license goes with it. If you throw the machine in the trash, the OEM license goes with it. If you buy a new PC, you can't re-use that OEM license even if you uninstall it from the original machine.

Is this any different than the boxed copy of WinXP in the stores? Nope, once you install and agree to the license, your XP installation is stuck onto that box as well. Sell the machine, the license goes with it as well.

vash

 

[Infohawk]

Is the difference that the OEM license goes with the hardware, and even if you uninstall xp on that oem system, you can't use it with another one? But if you have a full license than you can uninstall it on one machine and take it to another?

I wouldn't want to call ms and have them say, "we noticed your system no longer has that oem hardware, sorry, no more xp for you."

 

[Workin']

Originally posted by: vash

Originally posted by: Workin'
You're missing the most important OEM distinction - the license is "married" to the piece of hardware you had to buy to get the license. That means that the license is only valid on the first machine you install the OEM product on. Meaning, if you sell that PC, the OEM license goes with it. If you throw the machine in the trash, the OEM license goes with it. If you buy a new PC, you can't re-use that OEM license even if you uninstall it from the original machine.

Is this any different than the boxed copy of WinXP in the stores? Nope, once you install and agree to the license, your XP installation is stuck onto that box as well. Sell the machine, the license goes with it as well.

vash

Ummm, yeah, it's a helluva lot different. The retail copy you buy in the store for $300 can be transferred to another machine if you remove it from the old one. You can't do that with the OEM copy.

wouldn't want to call ms and have them say, "we noticed your system no longer has that oem hardware, sorry, no more xp for you."

Well, they have no idea what hardware you have, they only know if it has changed since the original installation. In practical terms that means you could transfer an OEM license to a new machine and tell MS that you just upgraded the mobo, for example. No problem getting reactivated, as long as someone (or you) don't try to activate it from another machine at the same time. However doing this would technically be a violation of the EULA and illegal. In the real world there is no way to identify a licensing violation of this type without doing a physical audit, and really, what are the chances of that if you are a home user? Slim to none, and Slim just left the building.

 

[Mark R]

Originally posted by: Workin'
You're missing the most important OEM distinction - the license is "married" to the piece of hardware you had to buy to get the license. That means that the license is only valid on the first machine you install the OEM product on. Meaning, if you sell that PC, the OEM license goes with it. If you throw the machine in the trash, the OEM license goes with it. If you buy a new PC, you can't re-use that OEM license even if you uninstall it from the original machine.

This may be the case in the US, but it's worth pointing out that in Europe, European law forbids this as an 'unreasonable restraint of trade'. Essentially, making the statement 'for distribution with new PC hardware only' null and void.

In Europe, you are perfectly within your rights, to buy an OEM copy of software, and at a later date sell it on privately, with or without hardware. Microsoft will say that you cannot, as will eBay, etc. but nevertheless it is perfectly legal.

MS's activation system on XP OEM, denies you this right - but noone is willing to take them on over this.

 

[Kingofcomputer]

if you're going to violate the oem license by moving it to another machine or sell it to someone else and need to hack the activation,
why do you want to buy oem at beginning? why not just get a pirate version?