Vista Ultimate OEM vs Retail. Tell me if I understand this right...

[MoobyTheGoldenCalf]

I'm going to buy Vista. If I by the full retail version, that gives me the right to install this copy on my one PC now and to reinstall it as many times as needed on my one PC if I keep upgrading hardware in the future. I will also be able to purchase the upgrade version of whatever MS comes out with as the next OS after Vista.

If I buy the OEM version, that gives me the right to install this copy on my one PC now, but I will be limited on reinstalls. If I swap out the motherboard, that is then considered a new PC and I am not allowed to install this OEM copy again and I will have to re-buy. I am also not allowed to upgrade this install to the next version OS after Vista.

Do I have all this right?

 

[pcgeek11]

You can still upgrade the OEM version, but it will remain an OEM Version...

pcgeek11

 

[microAmp]

I'm wondering the same thing that OP is, also what about upgrade version on Ultimate?

 

[pcgeek11]

Originally posted by: microAmp
I'm wondering the same thing that OP is, also what about upgrade version on Ultimate?

OEM Installed qualifying OS.

OEM Upgrade to any version it will remain an OEM version and tied to that motherboard.

Retail Boxed upgrade it becomes a retail version and can be moved to a new motherboard.

pcgeek11

 

[MADNZ]

So, summing up the replies:

1. OEM versions will be tied to the 1st motherboard that it is installed on
2. You will be able to reinstall it on that same motherboard only a certain amount of times (how many?)
3. You will be able to upgrade it to the next microsoft O/S upgrade (after Vista) but it will have to be the OEM version.

Is this all correct?

 

[greylica]

Complete abusive EULA, the only that will worth is Retail, but.... overpriced.
The " amount of times " is determined by a lottery, because in the EULA there is no specifications about this, so we can assume this EULA and no other thing. If there is one thing unspecified, and you accept the EULA " AS IS ", technically you will be able to reinstall as many times you need. But the activation is another problem, is what I Call the lottery, but the ticket is so expensive. . You still depends on the humor of the day of Microsoft...

Fear
Uncertainty
Doubt

F.U.D. they spread this about Linux, but if you think by a second in the EULA, you will see that the total FUD is being created everyday by the obscurity of the EULAs Microsoft brings and stays growing as Microsoft Wants.

For all of us is better to be distant from this EULAs obscure F.U.D.

 

[MADNZ]

Anti-microsoft ravings of Linux fanboys are not welcome.

 

[InlineFive]

Originally posted by: MADNZ
Anti-microsoft ravings of Linux fanboys are not welcome.

As well as Anti-Linux ravings of Microsoft fanboys.

 

[jamesbond007]

How many times can you reinstall the OEM OS? I've had my fair share of problems before with motherboards, OS crashes, etc forcing me to reinstall. Though, I have had this copy of XP installed on my main machine that I use daily for 2 years now!!! (w00t!)

Could I just image the harddisk after I install the OS and activate it and burn that image to a DVD or store it on another harddisk...then come time to 'reinstall' I restore the image on the harddisk...would that require me to reactivate?

Is the retail boxed version tied to only one motherboard/computer? The license is in no way transferrable, correct?

Bump for input!