XP "OEM" questions??

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January 24th, 2004, 04:58 AM
dublix

XP "OEM" questions??

Forgive my ignorance here, but I have a few questions about the XP "OEM" version.

Ok, I am looking to buy XP, I have two choices, either buy on tigerdirect or go to the local CompUSA. I am looking at comp's website as well as tigers and it says Microsoft XP home is 199.99

However, tiger has a version called Microsoft XP "OEM" version and it's only 99.99

Here is a quote taken from the "OEM" version product description:

Quote:

Licensing Information: You receive a Certificate of Authenticity (COA) and a CD containing the program on it. This is a legal OEM version of Windows® licensed by Microsoft® to be sold with any "non-peripheral hardware component" and is bundled as such.

Technical Support Information: Since this is an OEM operating system it does not come with any free technical support. Telephone technical support is available through a paid service via a toll-free number and a charge per call. The phone number is included on your packing slip when you order.

*Returns policy: OEM software is not returnable for any reason.

Does this simply mean that I can purchase this "OEM" version for 99.00 and simply do without the tech support or is there a lot more to it (besides not being able to return it)?

Cause if so, that would be good, because I don't need any tech support. Also, I would like to put this copy on two separate machines of mine. Does this mean I will have to purchase two XP copies or can I put this OEM version on both of them without any trouble (like it asking me for product activation and denying me since it may have seen the first one [that would suck because I just paid hard cash for it, but you never know] ) and would the regular 199.00 version of XP be any different pertaining to the same situation of putting it on two boxes?
January 24th, 2004, 05:05 AM
MemorY

Q. What is an OEM Version of Windows?

A. OEM = Original Equipment Manufacturer = a company that makes/markets computers (and parts), etc. which include parts made by other companies, and not the “original” manufacturer as OEM implies, just masquerading as one. Licenses of OEM versions of Windows, etc. software are sold to computer manufactures for installation on new computers. They are full versions of Windows. They are widely available on the "grey market" and Internet and cost considerably less than retail full versions. Just be careful not to purchase a pirated copy.

http://www.duxcw.com/faq/win/oem.htm
January 24th, 2004, 05:14 AM
dublix

MemorY, does that still mean I can put them on two seperate machines without any trouble or would I have to purchase another copy? The last thing I want is to get home, slap the copy on the first box, and then have the next box say: "this product has already been activated". Will it allow me to activate the copy more than once? Cause when I went to activate XP (that came with my Dell, dumb move) on my new mobo it said "this copy was set to only be activated once" (or something to that effect, which leads me to believe that other copies will allow more than one activation [I just don't know which]).

I have only had experience with Dell's that already came with XP and I know for sure if you use the Windows copy that Dell provides it will only work with the Dell boards. This is why I am purchasing this new copy of XP to begin with. :(

Sucks, but that's what I got for being a newbie and not building it on my own like I did just recently (highly recommend).

Also, thanks for digging up that info for me.
January 24th, 2004, 05:38 AM
cheyenne1212

You will have to buy another copy to install on more than one machine.

when I build computers, all I use is OEM, because its cheaper, I never need tech support anyway.

Like memory said, when you buy a OEM, you just dont' get any free tech support thats all.

I'd get the OEM software.
January 24th, 2004, 06:04 AM
dublix

Well, that settles that. Thanks for replying guys.

Just one more question........:D......... At least with the 199.99 version I could call Microsoft and ask them to provide me with activation for my family computers (within the house [at least that's what I heard that guy of thescreensavers say one time]) right? If that were so, then it just might be worth it no??

Sorry for the abundance of questions.

.dublix
January 24th, 2004, 07:08 AM
SmokeyDragon

i have an oem and i have it installed on multiple computers and it works fine
it should not matter unless like u install it on a few hundred commputers
January 24th, 2004, 07:20 AM
jenjen

I haven't done it but from my understanding, you can purchase an OEM copy of XP pro from places like newegg.com for dirt cheap (30 bucks?) as long as you buy another piece of hardware along with it.
January 24th, 2004, 07:53 AM
cheyenne1212

Quote:

ust one more question................. At least with the 199.99 version I could call Microsoft and ask them to provide me with activation for my family computers (within the house [at least that's what I heard that guy of thescreensavers say one time]) right? If that were so, then it just might be worth it no??

anything to do with activation, microsft wont' charge you. Even if it is OEM software.

They'll charge you if you buy OEM software then call and tell them you need help with settings.
January 24th, 2004, 04:14 PM
dublix

Thanks jenjen and smokey. :)

Cheyenne, where do you usually buy your OEM software, and are you getting XP cheaper than 99.99? If you don't mind me asking of course. lol

.dublix
January 24th, 2004, 10:28 PM
jenjen

Hi, dublix.. forgive me, I guess I was wrong about thaT 30 dollar figure.

I searched newegg and found it's $91.00 "*Must be Purchased with Hardware!!* "
Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition with Service Pack SP1a - OEM

But over at pricewatch I found it (doesn't say sp1 'tho) for about 75 dollars.. not a lot of detail given but have a look pricewatch, go halfway down the page
January 24th, 2004, 11:06 PM
dublix

Thanks again jenjen.

However, being the impatient person that I am, I already ordered earlier this morning. :D

I ended up getting it for 98.04 and the hardware they made me get with it was 1.95, it was a Cd-rom/Cdrw Audio Cable or something like that. lol

Should get here by Tuesday. At any rate, I'm happy. Thanks again all for replying.

:D

.dublix
January 28th, 2004, 05:38 AM
!mitationRust

Quote:

Originally posted here by SmokeyDragon
i have an oem and i have it installed on multiple computers and it works fine
it should not matter unless like u install it on a few hundred commputers

I hope your right on that one.
Source: http://www.bootdisk.com/bootlist/074.htm

There are some very important reasons that an OEM license costs so much less than a retail license. OEM licenses are very limited:

1) OEM versions must be sold with a piece of hardware (normally a motherboard or hard drive, if not an entire PC, although Microsoft has greatly relaxed the hardware criteria for WinXP) and are _permanently_ bound to the first PC on which they are installed. An OEM license, once installed, is not legally transferable to another computer under any circumstances. This is the best reason to avoid OEM versions; if the PC dies or is otherwise disposed of (even stolen), you cannot reuse your OEM license on a new PC.

2) Microsoft provides no support for OEM versions. If you have any problems that require outside assistance, your only recourse is to contact the vendor of the OEM license. This would include such issues as lost a Product Key or replacing damaged installation media. (Microsoft does make allowances for those instances when you can prove that the OEM has gone out of business.) This doesn't mean that you can't download patches and service packs from Microsoft -- just no free live or email support for problems with the OS.

3) An OEM CD cannot perform an upgrade, as it was designed to be installed _only_ upon an empty hard drive.
January 28th, 2004, 05:51 AM
cheyenne1212

I've reused my OEM license though imitation rust.

I deleted the OS on one computer and put XP on another called M$ up told them that I had reinstalled and just needed to get re-activated. They did it.

btw dublix I buy form http://tcwo.com

I pay $94 for XP home and $137 for XP pro.
January 28th, 2004, 06:37 AM
dublix

Quote:

An OEM license, once installed, is not legally transferable to another computer under any circumstances.

Wait a minute, does that mean I can't keep reinstalling it on the first pc or does that just mean it places something in the BIOS or what not that allows it to "see" that it has been moved to a different pc? Cause if you couldn't keep reinstalling then that would be very crappy... really wouldn't make much sense either. Perhaps I have asked a stupid question here though... :p

*

Quote:

btw dublix I buy form http://tcwo.com

I pay $94 for XP home and $137 for XP pro.

Thanks for sharing. Man, that's a great deal for pro. Like 20 or so under the best I have seen yet.

Are those guys very reliable Cheyenne? I have been using tigerdirect for a long time and they have yet to screw me, so. However, I'm not reluctant to try something new.

.dublix
January 28th, 2004, 07:03 AM
cheyenne1212

lol

see tigerdirect screwed me over once, so I quit using them.

So far I've ordered parts form them to build 6 computers, and have never had a problem with them.

If you want to install XP on another machine, go ahead and install it using your license key, then when you need to reactivate it, just call microsoft. They'll ask you if you have it installed on any other computers, just say no, they'll give you a activation code, and your set :D
January 28th, 2004, 02:24 PM
dublix

Thanks for the info. I just might give them a try real soon. :D

.dublix