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Windows XP OEM vs. Retail

T

Tiamat

Lifer
I have to purchase windows XP Pro for a lab computer and the retail version costs $300 at staples while the OEM version costs $150 including shipping (or so) from newegg.

It is my belief that the only difference is a brown box vs. a blue box. Is this true? My advisor wants to be very sure about this (and is willing to buy the 300$ retail box), but money is tight right now and I'd rather put the extra money towards equipment purchases.

What started casting a slight amount of doubt in my mind were the reviews on newegg. Someone hinted that there is a difference in setting up the OS. Something about having to contact Microsoft everytime you change your motherboard. I have not had to do this with my Dell copy of Windows XP Pro when I changed the motherboard for my desktop computer...

Thanks for your patience for what is most likely a stupid, noobish question
 
An OEM FAQ from Microsoft can be found here (Word document)

Some excerpts from the document:

"What is the difference between OEM product and Full-Packaged Product (FPP)?
ANSWER. OEM products are intended to be preinstalled on hardware before the end user purchases the product. They are ?shrink wrapped? and do not come in a box like the retail products do. Full-Packaged Product (FPP) is boxed with CD(s), manuals, and the EULA and is sold in retail stores in individual boxes. The End User License Agreements (commonly referred to as ?EULAs?) for OEM and FPP products are slightly different. One main difference is that an OEM operating system license (such as the license for Windows) cannot be transferred from its original PC to another PC. However, the FPP version of Windows may be transferred to another PC as long as the EULA, manual and media (such as the backup CD) accompany the transfer to the other PC. Also, when a customer purchases an OEM product, the OEM license requires the OEM to provide support for the product.

Can I transfer my operating system license from an old PC to a new one?
ANSWER. Not unless it was purchased as a Full-Packaged Product from a retail store (i.e., Windows in a box). Current OEM licenses for all Microsoft operating system products are not transferable from one machine to another. The End User License Agreement (EULA) governs the terms for transfer of licenses. Some EULAs for copies of certain older OEM operating system products (i.e., MS-DOS®, Windows® 3.1, and Windows for Workgroups 3.1) distributed in 1995 or earlier may permit transfer of the OEM operating system software license under limited circumstances. (See Software Product Transfer section of your End User License Agreement.) "
 
Originally posted by: Tiamat
Originally posted by: Noema
An OEM FAQ from Microsoft can be found here (Word document)
Click to expand...

Thank you, i shall read that.
Click to expand...

Thanks again Noema. I will present the EULA differences to my boss and he shall decide if the right to use the Windows CD on a newer computer down the road is worth the double price.

Lol, that was supposed to be an edit, not reply
 
This belongs in the OS section and it has been discussed many times there already.

Bottom line is how often do you think you'll be changing hardware?
I got an OEM copy of Pro for my current game machine because I knew it would be the only socket 939 platform I would have. I knew I would buy one good 939 system and not be upgrading it for a while.
When I would finally be ready to upgrade a whole new socket type and next gen hardware would be available to me.
So far I am correct.
The AM2 stuff has been out for some time and I still have not upgraded from my 939 system.

Am also making more money than I used to and have less free time. My next computer will likely be a pre-built. Probably a Vista machine on the AM2 platform.
 
Functionally, the same. But OEM softwrae is normally linked directly to specific hardwrae - and retail can be removed and moved and re-activated.
 
I have an OEM copy of windows and recently upgraded my system from a socket 754 motherboard to a socket 939 (everything else the same). On startup, windows would not let me log on without an activtion code! I was locked out of my own computer. There was an information window with a phone number and I was able to call up Microsoft and get a long activition code over the phone. The phone call took about 10 minutes, talking to a computerized operator with voice recognition. Once I had the code in, windows kept giving me warning messages that my copy of windows wasn't genuine, and offering to take me to a site to pay to get a genuine copy. However I just had to go to the windows update site and redo the "windows genuine advantage" check, and all was back to normal after that.

So you can upgrade the computer, but it a bit of a pain.

Edit: My OEM copy is actually on its 3rd motherboard. It was originally bought in 2002 for an computer made from some cheap parts in my office. It ran for about 6 months, and then the hard drive blew up, and I never bothered to fix the computer, as it was replaced by a laptop. After 4 years of not using the OS at all, I took the computer home and upgraded to a socket 754, and then 9 monthes later to a socket 939, but had to call up Microsoft to get it activated. I'm probably at the end of the line for upgrades, though.
 
Originally posted by: kmmatney
Edit: My OEM copy is actually on its 3rd motherboard. It was originally bought in 2002 for an computer made from some cheap parts in my office. It ran for about 6 months, and then the hard drive blew up, and I never bothered to fix the computer, as it was replaced by a laptop. After 4 years of not using the OS at all, I took the computer home and upgraded to a socket 754, and then 9 monthes later to a socket 939, but had to call up Microsoft to get it activated. I'm probably at the end of the line for upgrades, though.
Click to expand...

FWIW you're in violation of the OEM XP EULA. If you wish to remain "legal" you should invest in a retail copy of XP. 😉

 
Originally posted by: John
FWIW you're in violation of the OEM XP EULA. If you wish to remain "legal" you should invest in a retail copy of XP. 😉
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I have no idea what FWIW is and if they voluntarily gave him a new code (not hacked or anything) the liability is on Microsoft, NOT the user.

 
Originally posted by: shortylickens
I have no idea what FWIW is
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Srsly? http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=fwiw

and if they voluntarily gave him a new code (not hacked or anything) the liability is on Microsoft, NOT the user
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I am merely stating the FACTS from the OEM XP EULA. Even if you don't read it, you are still bound by it, so it's good to know what's in there. If you install OEM Windows XP on a different computer (which includes upgrading the motherboard) you are in a sense pirating the OS.

What is the difference between OEM product and Full-Packaged Product (FPP)?

ANSWER. OEM products are intended to be preinstalled on hardware before the end user purchases the product. They are ?shrink wrapped? and do not come in a box like the retail products do. Full-Packaged Product (FPP) is boxed with CD(s), manuals, and the EULA and is sold in retail stores in individual boxes. The End User License Agreements (commonly referred to as ?EULAs?) for OEM and FPP products are slightly different. One main difference is that an OEM operating system license (such as the license for Windows) cannot be transferred from its original PC to another PC. However, the FPP version of Windows may be transferred to another PC as long as the EULA, manual and media (such as the backup CD) accompany the transfer to the other PC. Also, when a customer purchases an OEM product, the OEM license requires the OEM to provide support for the product.
 
We are not lawyers and are unable to properly interpret the EULA. H3ll Micriosoft can't interpret it either so what ever you do should be fine right if the activation center said OK then it is OK.

pcgeek11
 
Originally posted by: pcgeek11
We are not lawyers and are unable to properly interpret the EULA. H3ll Micriosoft can't interpret it either so what ever you do should be fine right if the activation center said OK then it is OK.

pcgeek11
Click to expand...

I expected a lot more from a "pc geek". :shocked: I'm a blue collar worker and interpeted part of the Windows XP OEM & Retail EULA for you. It's also possible to swap a motherboard or install Windows XP OEM on a different computer and activate over the internet. However it's up to the end user to abide by the rules of the software that they're using. There are copious amounts of software that require product keys, activation, and licensing that allow only one install or have other clauses in the EULA. Most people seem to think that if they bought a particular piece of software 1) they own it entirely and 2) they are welcome to install it on as many pc's as they want if it let's them. Unfortunately that is not the case.
 
I believe you are allowed to upgrade the motherboard if you had a failure. I had a motherboard die on me. Replaced it with a different board. When I told them at MS, they activated Windows for me. It was an OEM license.
 
Originally posted by: John
Originally posted by: pcgeek11
We are not lawyers and are unable to properly interpret the EULA. H3ll Microsoft can't interpret it either so what ever you do should be fine right, if the activation center said OK then it is OK.
pcgeek11
Click to expand...

I expected a lot more from a "pc geek". :shocked: I'm a blue collar worker and interpeted part of the Windows XP OEM & Retail EULA for you. It's also possible to swap a motherboard or install Windows XP OEM on a different computer and activate over the internet. However it's up to the end user to abide by the rules of the software that they're using. There are copious amounts of software that require product keys, activation, and licensing that allow only one install or have other clauses in the EULA. Most people seem to think that if they bought a particular piece of software 1) they own it entirely and 2) they are welcome to install it on as many pc's as they want if it let's them. Unfortunately that is not the case.
Click to expand...

John, Don't take what I said wrong. If an activation center employee approves the transfer of the OEM license to a new MB, then it is legal and in accordance with the EULA... IMO. It is Microsofts responsibility to train the phone center employees to NOT Authorize these transfers if that is what they want.

Regardless if I build a PC with XXX motherboard and that board fails I can legally IAW the EULA install a replacement MB brand XYZ, as I am the OEM of the PC. XYZ motherboard can be substituted for the dead original XXX motherboard, it is the OEM that decides what the proper replacement MB is and not Microsoft. This is what the OEM EULA states. Of course this doesn't apply to HP, Dell, etc...branded computers as they are then the OEM and it becomes their choice what the replacement should be.

This part of my post was meant as sarcasm:

" We are not lawyers and are unable to properly interpret the EULA. H3ll Microsoft can't interpret it either so what ever you do should be fine right "
Click to expand...

Due to all the discussion lately of how the New Vista EULA needs a lawyer to tell us what they mean when they say "XXXX". Who in their right mind is going to consult a lawyer about a EULA. NOBODY except a large buisness. Lawyers cost too much $$$. I know for a fact that I'm not paying a lawyer for that... That was the stupidest statement I have ever read on a message board. Well close to it anyway. Anything questionable in the EULA I rule in my favor and when someone knocks at the door, Sorry I interpreted it the best I could? If they wanted the average user to agree to it they should write it in plain simple " Average Joe language ". If you have any questions call 1-800-XXX-XXXX number and Microsoft will give you the correct legal answer. The answer is Not to hire a lawyer to tell you what His/Her opinion of what they meant when they stated " XXX ".

That is why I say IF the Microsoft Activation Operator gives you an activation code that makes it legal, as long as you tell them the facts, MB was replaced etc... I wanted a different MB... on and on.

I am not referring to theft or pirating or any other illegal activity.

pcgeek11
 
That was the stupidest statement I have ever read on a message board
Click to expand...
Thanks! 😛

If they wanted the average user to agree to it they should write it in plain simple " Average Joe language ".
Click to expand...
Compared to previous EULAs, I personally think that the Vista one is pretty easy to read. YMMV.

If you have any questions call 1-800-XXX-XXXX number and Microsoft will give you the correct legal answer
Click to expand...
If you mean they will explain the EULA to you, that's not correct. Or if they attempt to they shouldn't, unless LCA is manning the phones in PSS now. As I stated in another thread, nobody from Microsoft is going to 'interpret' their EULA for you. The EULA is the official statement from Microsoft, there is no further interpreting ncessary on their part. The only possible exception to that is if you speak to someone who works for LCA at Microsoft, and even then I doubt they would have much to say.

The reason is so that there is no confusion and no potential for people to say "well so and so from MS said the EULA allows me to do xyz" when in fact it doesn't.

It is Microsofts responsibility to train the phone center employees to NOT Authorize these transfers if that is what they want.
Click to expand...
This is absolutely correct, IMO.
 
Stash,

This comment wasn't intended as a cut towards you personally... The answer you gave is the correct one about getting a lawyer if you don't understand the agreement... it is just sad when you would even have to consider it. But realistically speaking nobody is going to pay a lawyer to interpret a EULA... except a Corporation or large business... they have a staff of them waiting for things to do.

I usually don't have a problem with licenses agreements etc.. and such, and the Vista EULA was a large leap forward in the wording... But it is obvious looking around the net that some people have a very hard time with it.

If you have any questions call 1-800-XXX-XXXX number and Microsoft will give you the correct legal answer
Click to expand...

I wasn't meaning that this is the way it works. I meant to say this is how it should work. Microsoft wrote the EULA they should have a phone number to clear up questions on what you can and cannot do with their software. If they don't and their activation center employees allow illegal transfers of the licenses, you get what you get... Shrug.

No offense intended... peace!

pcgeek11
 
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