very confused about OEM XP software

[amol]

im building a machine soon, and i wanna get win xp pro, but dont wanna pay $300. i found it for under $150 at newegg (im getting my cpu from there, so the hardware part about buying OEM is okay), but when it comes time to upgrade to longhorn or windows 2007 or whatever, will i be able to upggrade?

 

[drag]

No. Only retail liscences are elegable to upgrade.

With OEM you have 2 restrictions:
1. OEM can only be used on one computer. And when push comes to shove computer == motherboard.
2. You can't use a upgrade liscence to upgrade a OEM liscence.

 

[amol]

so that means that i would have to uninstall windows xp, THEN install a newer version?

 

[drag]

It only refers to the licence. When you buy a upgrade version your not buying a limited version of windows. On that windows upgrade cdrom is the full version just like you get from a retail or OEM licence.

What your paying for is the license to use the operating system, not the operating system itself.

So "upgrade" means you can do something like take a Windows 98 retail license and upgrade it to a WinXP license. That sort of thing.

Otherwise there is no difference from the windows you get from OEM, Retail, or upgrade. They are all the same, (the only differences is going to be a little bit in the activation and installation stuff)

OEM = OS sold as part of computer. The license is non transferable and non-upgradable.
Retail = Full price of OS entitles you to install it on many computers, the license is tied to you instead of your computer like a OEM license is. (although of course you can only have it installed on one computer at a time!)
Upgrade = pay partial price to upgrade a Retail license to a newer operating system license, The old license is null and void while you use your newer OS. Effectively you take a old retail license and turn it into a new version.

If you buy a OEM licence now, it will make you ineligable for a upgrade down the line and you won't be able to transfer the OS to a new computer. That's just licensing, you can do a "upgrade" type install irregardless of the licence as long as everything is legit. (I beleive)

 

[Blazer]

that OEM version from NEWEGG is the same as what i am using,microsoft states that OEM products must be sold with hardware,that hardware can be a misc {working/not working}piece that varies from sound cables to mobo jumpers{anything comp related}.

RETAIL versions give you five {5} FREE tech service calls,after that there is a $35.00 charge every time you call MS.

OEM versions do not recieve any FREE tech support.

the software is the same!,performs the same!

the upgrade package from anything to XP cost more than the OEM full version.

in my book i will never use MS upgrade versions as they are only patches / and worst COST MORE MONEY

 

[wheels]

I'm confused. Your saying if you upgrade your computer, you have to buy winxp oem again?

 

[Nothinman]

I'm confused. Your saying if you upgrade your computer, you have to buy winxp oem again?

Depends. An OEM license of XP is supposed to be tied to the hardware you bought it with, so if you bought it with a CPU it's only legal to be used on the machine running that CPU.

 

[Blazer]

m confused. Your saying if you upgrade your computer, you have to buy winxp oem again?

Depends. An OEM license of XP is supposed to be tied to the hardware you bought it with, so if you bought it with a CPU it's only legal to be used on the machine running that CPU.

NO NO NO!!!,you can use that OEM XP software on what ever comp you want,install it as many times as needed,BUT it can only be installed and running on one comp.

when you activate the copy it has 5 activations total per the key code, either by phone/internet if hardware doesnt change,if hardware changes you may have to call MS,they will ask how many comp do you have the software on if you say 2 :thumbsdown:they will say oh no, {1 } OK,after that five has been used you will have to call MS and they will read you off another key code that has 5 activations ECT ECT ECT.

I have OEM XP and have upgraded hardware,reinstalled OEM XP many many many times and will continue to do so!

 

[drag]

Your OEM liscence is tied to your computer.

However if you end up with a situation were you upgrade your CPU and Harddrive, reinstall and activate it. Then buy a new video card then buy some other stuff you can end with a computer that is completely different then the computer you originally installed it on.

It's like a situation with a Axe. Grandfather had a Axe. Father got inherited it and used it for a long time until the handle broke, so he replaced the handle. Then Grandson got the axe from Father and used it for several years and eventually the axe head worn out and was replaced by the grandson. Now, is it still Grandfather's axe or a completely different one?

Sometimes people end up having a activation denied on a OEM version of WinXP. If there is a dispute on what constitutes a 'new' computer then Microsoft says the deciding factor is the motherboard. If your using the original motherboard, then it's the same computer, if your using a new motherboard then thats a new computer and you may or may not have to buy another licence, depending how lucky your are with the whole activation thing.

 

[Blazer]

so drag you are saying that if i change my mobo i can just through away my copy of XP as i WILL have to buy another, BULL CRAP!!

as i have STATED,that OEM has been installed,removed,transfered,mobo this,hard drive that,ect ect.

I donot hack any software {or pirate any key codes} so MS has not seen any reason to deny me activation!!

futhermore others have stated that a OEM cannot be slipstreamed !,Well i am here to tell all it CAN and has been done !

MS doesnt care what comp you install the OS on,as long as it is used on ONLY {1} one computer.

FACTS,FACTS,FACTS

Your post is only leading to confusion!

 

[MrChad]

blazer, you are wrong.

Text

OEM licenses are tied to the hardware they are purchased with. That's why you are instructed to place the permanent COA sticker on your computer when you install. That's no technical limitation to the restriction (i.e. you can swap motherboards or uninstall and install on a new machine and it will still activate), however it's still a violation of the EULA.

That said, I think OEM licenses are still eligible for upgrades to future versions.

 

[Blazer]

OEM licenses are tied to the hardware they are purchased with. That's why you are instructed to place the permanent COA sticker on your computer when you install. That's no technical limitation to the restriction (i.e. you can swap motherboards or uninstall and install on a new machine and it will still activate), however it's still a violation of the EULA.

OH ok so when i place the permanent COA sticker on on the side of my case i cannot upgrade the CASE as that is NOW my computer.

the case is not what makes a computer,it is the hardware componets that make up a computer,a case can do nothing with XP,BUT you do as you will.

I stop here,as it was never ny intention to HIJACK this tread.

Good luck with this tread AMOL !

 

[MrChad]

If you don't believe me, give Microsoft Licensing a call and ask them (800-426-9400).

 

[Nothinman]

OH ok so when i place the permanent COA sticker on on the side of my case i cannot upgrade the CASE as that is NOW my computer.

No, you're missing the point. OEM copies of XP are supposed to only be sold via OEM computer manufacturers like HP/Compaq, Dell, etc. The fact that places like NewEgg will sell you an OEM license with a CPU is a loophole but the fact remains that the OEM license is still legally tied to the hardware you bought it with. There's nothing technical in those copies of XP stopping you from installing it on machines running other hardware, but the license isn't valid any more if you don't keep that copy of XP on the machine running the hardware you bought it with.

 

[drag]

Originally posted by: MrChad
blazer, you are wrong.

Text

OEM licenses are tied to the hardware they are purchased with. That's why you are instructed to place the permanent COA sticker on your computer when you install. That's no technical limitation to the restriction (i.e. you can swap motherboards or uninstall and install on a new machine and it will still activate), however it's still a violation of the EULA.

That said, I think OEM licenses are still eligible for upgrades to future versions.

Exactly.

I am not making this crap up. Some people need to settle down and think about stuff time to time before making a rear-end of themselves. (myself included time to time)

In general, OEM software may not be transferred from one system to another system. However, the computer system can certainly be updated with new components without the requirement of a new software license. The only exception to this is the motherboard 1. If the motherboard is replaced 2, the computer system is deemed "new" and a new license would be required. Other PC components may be upgraded, including a hard drive. Though if the hard drive 3 is replaced/upgraded, the operating system must first be removed from the old hard drive. To restate: the operating system is "married" to the computer system on which it is originally installed.

And MrChad, you suck because you found my link I was going to post before I did.

Gawd I found a actual link within Microsoft's website last time this topic came up, but man that Microsoft.com website search stuff is mondo crappy and I couldn't find it. It was on a mailing list or online help log or something like that. Wasted my time with that freaking website for the last time.

edit:
I figure if you go here it will probably give you the diffinative answer on your questions on OEM stuff. However I can't get to it because the webpage were you register won't work with Firefox and I don't have any windows machines to do it on.

If I could get on there, I'd post the entire FAQ.

Oh, well mabye with Wine....

 

[Blazer]

Well it seems someone stands corrected !!

I called MS 1-425-635-3311 and spoke with a rep REGUARDING my copy of XP OEM, this is what i asked.

Can i give my copy of XP OEM to my mother and have her activate it,also do i have to transfer ownership to her for her to have full ownership of the OS {as her comp is a AMD motherboard w/AMD duron proc and a 7.5gb HD },they told me that i could as long as i uninstall it from my computer.

Now i am going to buy XP PRO MEDIA EDITION to install on my computer,the upgrade of her comp will be done over thanksgiving weekend and will include a new hard drive.

Now that is money well spent as i get what i want and she gets what she has needed for a long time as she has been using millennium.Seems no one knows microsoft better than microsoft themselves.