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XP Pro OEM version?

S

StreetRacer

Member
I've bought lots of OEM hardware in the past. Plain package, no frills, no extra software etc. Now I need to buy a new copy of XP Pro. I see that OEM versions are considerably cheaper than retail versions. So.... what's the difference? Is the OEM fully functional and fully licsenced? What's missing? Is there any good reason NOT to buy OEM and save some $$?
 
OEM is not supported by microsoft. If you have problems with the OS and call Microsoft, they will tell you that you need to call your computer manufacturer for help. Go for the OEM, and have the forums help you with support :beer:
 
Thanks, that's very doable. Is all else equal? As far as updates and so forth?

Also, in the for sale/trade forum I see a lot of references to "COA". What's that precisely?
 
Yep, you will get the same service packs, updates, driver support as the retail version. The COA that is being referred to is the Certificate of Authenticity. You need this to verfiy that you have a valid/legal copy of windows, and it normally comes in the form of a sticker that you put on the side of your case for safe keeping (at least that's where computer manufacturer's put them). If you are buying an OEM version, you will need to purchase it with a piece of hardware, per microsoft.
 
Originally posted by: StreetRacer
Originally posted by: rmrfIf you are buying an OEM version, you will need to purchase it with a piece of hardware, per microsoft.
Click to expand...

Ok then, this part confuses me. Newegg for instance has a http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16837102153 for a pretty good price but there's no mention of a piece of hardware. Can you clairify?
Click to expand...

First, your link is broken.

Second, NewEgg automatically adds a molex Y-splitter to your OEM order for Windows. That meets Microsoft's "hardware" requirement.
 
Originally posted by: StreetRacer
Originally posted by: rmrfIf you are buying an OEM version, you will need to purchase it with a piece of hardware, per microsoft.
Click to expand...

Ok then, this part confuses me. Newegg for instance has a http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16837102153 for a pretty good price but there's no mention of a piece of hardware. Can you clairify?
Click to expand...

Windows XP Professional Service Pack 2

If you look towards the bottom of the page, in the features section, you will see that the last line of that paragraph states you need to purchase this with hardware.

Also, I noticed ou tried to make the link say "two-pack", This is just one copy, with one COA that comes slipstreamed with service pack 2 built-in.
 
The main limitation of XP OEM is that as soon as you install it on a PC, it is married to that PC. Even if the PC dies, you will not be able to install it on another PC and you cannot sell it. Of course this is the legal part of it.

Now many are going to come here and say that they installed it on more than one machine and there was no problem.
As I said, that is the limitation if you want to follow the End User License Agreement, which you should agree with before you can use the OS.


http://www.microsoft.com/piracy/partners/YourPC_do.mspx
From this link:
An OEM software license may not be transferred from and old machine to a new machine?even if that machine is no longer in use. The OEM license is tied to the machine on which it was originally installed and can't be transferred to other machines.
 
Also, I noticed ou tried to make the link say "two-pack", This is just one copy, with one COA that comes slipstreamed with service pack 2 built-in.
Click to expand...

I have Newegg on my face. Silly misread.

Anyway, how necessary is the COA? I'm looking around Pricegrabber, PriceScan (some from private sellers, not merchants) and the For Sale forum here and I see OEM's real cheap. Many say "Dell" and some say they come with an unused product key, but no COA. What gives?
 
Originally posted by: Navid
The main limitation of XP OEM is that as soon as you install it on a PC, it is married to that PC. Even if the PC dies, you will not be able to install it on another PC and you cannot sell it. Of course this is the legal part of it.

Now many are going to come here and say that they installed it on more than one machine and there was no problem.
As I said, that is the limitation if you want to follow the End User License Agreement, which you should agree with before you can use the OS.


http://www.microsoft.com/piracy/partners/YourPC_do.mspx
From this link:
An OEM software license may not be transferred from and old machine to a new machine?even if that machine is no longer in use. The OEM license is tied to the machine on which it was originally installed and can't be transferred to other machines.
Click to expand...

I was under the impression that you couldn't transfer any licensed version from one machine to another.

 
Originally posted by: Navid
The main limitation of XP OEM is that as soon as you install it on a PC, it is married to that PC. Even if the PC dies, you will not be able to install it on another PC and you cannot sell it. Of course this is the legal part of it.

Now many are going to come here and say that they installed it on more than one machine and there was no problem.
As I said, that is the limitation if you want to follow the End User License Agreement, which you should agree with before you can use the OS.


http://www.microsoft.com/piracy/partners/YourPC_do.mspx
From this link:
An OEM software license may not be transferred from and old machine to a new machine?even if that machine is no longer in use. The OEM license is tied to the machine on which it was originally installed and can't be transferred to other machines.
Click to expand...

What about upgrading parts? What is considered a "new" PC? If you put a new hard drive in, you will need to reinstall. If you put new memory/processor in, you wouldn't need to reinstall. You also wouldn't need to reinstall if you put in a new media drive. What if you moved your parts to a new case? If you install a new motherboard, but keep your other components, you need to reinstall, but is this considered a new PC?

There seem to be some grey areas in this. I'd be interested in hearing some more opinions on this.
 
Originally posted by: StreetRacer
Also, I noticed ou tried to make the link say "two-pack", This is just one copy, with one COA that comes slipstreamed with service pack 2 built-in.
Click to expand...

I have Newegg on my face. Silly misread.

Anyway, how necessary is the COA? I'm looking around Pricegrabber, PriceScan (some from private sellers, not merchants) and the For Sale forum here and I see OEM's real cheap. Many say "Dell" and some say they come with an unused product key, but no COA. What gives?
Click to expand...

You are not allowed to buy versions from Dell. You can only buy the official OEM version from Microsoft w/COA and a piece of hardware.

EDIT: if you see Dell NFR(not for resale) versions for sale on this forum, it is against the rules and should be reported to Anandtech Moderator.
 
You are not allowed to buy versions from Dell. You can only buy the official OEM version from Microsoft w/COA and a piece of hardware.

EDIT: if you see Dell NFR(not for resale) versions for sale on this forum, it is against the rules and should be reported to Anandtech Moderator.
Click to expand...

Sounds like a good thing to avoid. Thanks.
 
Originally posted by: Slowlearner
rmrf

Please see http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/oemeula.htm
Click to expand...

Thanks for the link.

That does clarify. It clarifies how much of a bloodsucking whore microsoft is. By this document, the following scenario is illegal:

1. buy oem version of OS and put together a computer.
2. 4 years later, the capacitors on the mb go bad.
3. mb manufacturer warranty is out, and mb manufacturer does not make mb anymore.
4. find a mb that is compatible with current cpu and ram.
5. replace mb and leave all other components the same.
6. reinstall windows on the same computer with an "upgraded" mb.

I just don't see the logic here. There is no way that I would be able to make a new computer with the old mb, and I in no way upgraded my computer considering I am still using the same cpu and ram. However, it is illegal, since I did not get the mb replaced under warranty, and it is a different mb than I started with.

I'm guessing this is a fairly common scenario considering all the people that are only willing to pay ~$50 for parts on their computers.

Do not take this tounge-lashing personal, I just get so pissed at microsoft and their antics, and I just read the thread about pvp-opm, so I am especially peeved right now.

:beer:
 
Originally posted by: rmrf
That does clarify. It clarifies how much of a bloodsucking whore microsoft is. By this document, the following scenario is illegal:

1. buy oem version of OS and put together a computer.
2. 4 years later, the capacitors on the mb go bad.
3. mb manufacturer warranty is out, and mb manufacturer does not make mb anymore.
4. find a mb that is compatible with current cpu and ram.
5. replace mb and leave all other components the same.
6. reinstall windows on the same computer with an "upgraded" mb.

I just don't see the logic here. There is no way that I would be able to make a new computer with the old mb, and I in no way upgraded my computer considering I am still using the same cpu and ram. However, it is illegal, since I did not get the mb replaced under warranty, and it is a different mb than I started with.
Click to expand...
Consider this... What if after you replace the motherboard you try and re-install the O/S. When you go through the activation, it says that your key isn't valid. You call the number listed and explain to the operator that your motherboard went bad, and you replaced it. The operator decides that it is in effect the 'same' computer, and gives you a new key to enter. Not the same key as on the COA, but a 42 digit key that will work only once. Every future re-install will require a phone call.

Basically, I did just that. I explained that the computer was the same, but since it is needed for business, it was replaced with a new one while I located some parts. After installing the 'new' parts, I tried to install the O/S and got all the way to the activation part. It was there that I had to make the phone call. The operator accepted the explanation, but asked a specific set of questions... Basically, Is this the only computer that the O/S is installed on, and is this the same computer that was bought. I again explained that it is the same computer with different parts and she accepted that. She gave me a new code and I entered it and am now activated.

I had originaly come here to ask what makes a computer a computer and what can be changed while keeping that computer 'the same'. I saw this thread, and it basically is the same subject.
 
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