Retail vs. OEM?

Ford Freak · 10-24-2009, 06:13 PM

What's the difference other than packaging and getting both 32 and 64 bit with retail?

DBoone · 10-25-2009, 12:13 AM

Application wise, nothing. The restrictions on using the application are something else. For example with Win7 the OEM license would be valid only for the original hardware configuration. Change the hard drive or motherboard and you have to call MS to reactivate it.

Ford Freak · 10-25-2009, 12:20 AM

I guess I should be a little more specific. I was wondering about the EULA more specifically.

The last retail OS I bought was ME back in 2000. I know there has been changes in the EULA since then.

Rick_EE · 10-25-2009, 08:28 AM

One of the big things with OEM is that you are assuming responsibility for tech support. With retail, you will get support from MS, you do not have a right to that with OEM.

For most of us here, we have never contacted MS tech support, so no problem. More of a concern when building for others.

JBNimble · 10-25-2009, 10:03 PM

I think you can use the retail on another computer later, IF you can persuade Microsoft that the first is not longer using it.

I've never tried, and don't know how hard that is.

I suspect that I will use Windows 7 for at least two computer builds over the next several years, so I'm considering the retail. Will appreciate any feedback on moving the OS to new hardware.

Ford Freak · 10-26-2009, 12:46 AM

That's what I was thinking. I've used 1 copy of XP on a few different builds. They'd ask if it was installed on another computer. I would say "no." I never had any problems reactivating. I have 3 copies of XP now so I don't have to worry about that.

fvbounty · 10-26-2009, 10:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JBNimble

I think you can use the retail on another computer later, IF you can persuade Microsoft that the first is not longer using it.

I've never tried, and don't know how hard that is.

I suspect that I will use Windows 7 for at least two computer builds over the next several years, so I'm considering the retail. Will appreciate any feedback on moving the OS to new hardware.

If its like XP, you should be able to move to another rig with OEM, I have on 2 different MB, you know you might be able to just get a upgrade version, and use it to do a fresh install...I'll yet you know, I have a upgrade coming and will wipe the HD on my laptop and try to do a new install with the upgrade and let you know, I was listening to Leo Leporte on a podcast with Paul Thurrott on launch day and Leo used a upgrade to do a fresh install and it worked....he reformated and re partitioned and installed....

JBNimble · 10-26-2009, 09:00 PM

I have a rather strong impression that you cannot move an OEM OS to another computer, though you can certainly make a few hardware changes and survive (I've changed hard drives).

For example, I don't believe you can change motherboards or CPU with an OEM OS. You might sweet talk Microsoft into it if you had a hardware failure.

***Sylar*** · 10-28-2009, 02:04 PM

I could be wrong don't your have unlimited re installs on oem on the same hardware unlike retail?

fvbounty · 10-28-2009, 03:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sylar

I could be wrong don't your have unlimited re installs on oem on the same hardware unlike retail?

I don't know about unlimited but I've used a oem xp pro for at least 5 reinstall's and with 2 different motherboards!

***Sylar*** · 10-28-2009, 03:36 PM

If im right and not sure if I am would make it an advantage to retail for sure.

***Sylar*** · 11-04-2009, 11:39 AM

Anyone know if the unlimited reinstalls on the same hardware is correct?

plainman007 · 11-04-2009, 01:41 PM

I dont know what you mean by unlimited installs. But i have a compaq laptop which came with windows xp home. It never ever asks for a serial no etc. It has compaq also printed on the OS cd itself. This is OEM i assume. And ive reinstalled a 'several' times.

. It never asks for a key or anything like that. It just installs. Thats it. After that i need to just install the drivers.

This leads me a to a new question. Since this XP came with my latop and I'm seriously considering scrapping my laptop. Can i use the XP that came with my latop on a replacement desktop that I'm planning to use ? Legally ? Will it even work ?

Rick_EE · 11-04-2009, 04:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by plainman007

This leads me a to a new question. Since this XP came with my latop and I'm seriously considering scrapping my laptop. Can i use the XP that came with my latop on a replacement desktop that I'm planning to use ? Legally ? Will it even work ?

No, you cannot use it unless you paid extra for a retail version. Dell was offering this a few years ago.

If you tried it with the laptop's recovery disk, it likely won't work.

***Sylar*** · 11-07-2009, 07:05 AM

I ment plainman007 unlimited reinstalled on the same hardware using a true OEM dvd that you buy if your a system bulider. As for you question about xp no it wont work I dont think its for the computer you have it on only.

10-24-2009, 06:13 PM	#1
Ford Freak warranty voider Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Valdosta, GA Posts: 3,880	Retail vs. OEM? What's the difference other than packaging and getting both 32 and 64 bit with retail? __________________
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10-25-2009, 12:13 AM	#2
DBoone Just call me Dave Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: San Diego Posts: 1,684	Re: Retail vs. OEM? Application wise, nothing. The restrictions on using the application are something else. For example with Win7 the OEM license would be valid only for the original hardware configuration. Change the hard drive or motherboard and you have to call MS to reactivate it. __________________ ASUS P5B-Deluxe, Intel E6600, 4 GB Corsair XMS, Sapphire 5850, Windows 7 RC
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10-25-2009, 12:20 AM	#3
Ford Freak warranty voider Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Valdosta, GA Posts: 3,880	Re: Retail vs. OEM? I guess I should be a little more specific. I was wondering about the EULA more specifically. The last retail OS I bought was ME back in 2000. I know there has been changes in the EULA since then. __________________
(Offline)

10-25-2009, 08:28 AM	#4
Rick_EE Sent from my PC Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Milwaukee, WI Posts: 1,163	Re: Retail vs. OEM? One of the big things with OEM is that you are assuming responsibility for tech support. With retail, you will get support from MS, you do not have a right to that with OEM. For most of us here, we have never contacted MS tech support, so no problem. More of a concern when building for others.
(Offline)

10-25-2009, 10:03 PM	#5
JBNimble Renaissance Man Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: MD Posts: 1,042	Re: Retail vs. OEM? I think you can use the retail on another computer later, IF you can persuade Microsoft that the first is not longer using it. I've never tried, and don't know how hard that is. I suspect that I will use Windows 7 for at least two computer builds over the next several years, so I'm considering the retail. Will appreciate any feedback on moving the OS to new hardware. __________________ Beware the prophet making profit.
(Offline)

10-26-2009, 12:46 AM	#6
Ford Freak warranty voider Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Valdosta, GA Posts: 3,880	Re: Retail vs. OEM? That's what I was thinking. I've used 1 copy of XP on a few different builds. They'd ask if it was installed on another computer. I would say "no." I never had any problems reactivating. I have 3 copies of XP now so I don't have to worry about that. __________________
(Offline)

10-26-2009, 09:00 PM	#8
JBNimble Renaissance Man Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: MD Posts: 1,042	Re: Retail vs. OEM? I have a rather strong impression that you cannot move an OEM OS to another computer, though you can certainly make a few hardware changes and survive (I've changed hard drives). For example, I don't believe you can change motherboards or CPU with an OEM OS. You might sweet talk Microsoft into it if you had a hardware failure. __________________ Beware the prophet making profit.
(Offline)

10-28-2009, 02:04 PM	#9
*Sylar* Administrator Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 1,110	Re: Retail vs. OEM? I could be wrong don't your have unlimited re installs on oem on the same hardware unlike retail?
(Offline)

10-28-2009, 03:36 PM	#11
*Sylar* Administrator Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 1,110	Re: Retail vs. OEM? If im right and not sure if I am would make it an advantage to retail for sure.
(Offline)

11-04-2009, 11:39 AM	#12
*Sylar* Administrator Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 1,110	Re: Retail vs. OEM? Anyone know if the unlimited reinstalls on the same hardware is correct?
(Offline)

11-04-2009, 01:41 PM	#13
plainman007 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 377	Re: Retail vs. OEM? I dont know what you mean by unlimited installs. But i have a compaq laptop which came with windows xp home. It never ever asks for a serial no etc. It has compaq also printed on the OS cd itself. This is OEM i assume. And ive reinstalled a 'several' times. . It never asks for a key or anything like that. It just installs. Thats it. After that i need to just install the drivers. This leads me a to a new question. Since this XP came with my latop and I'm seriously considering scrapping my laptop. Can i use the XP that came with my latop on a replacement desktop that I'm planning to use ? Legally ? Will it even work ?
(Offline)

11-07-2009, 07:05 AM	#15
*Sylar* Administrator Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 1,110	Re: Retail vs. OEM? I ment plainman007 unlimited reinstalled on the same hardware using a true OEM dvd that you buy if your a system bulider. As for you question about xp no it wont work I dont think its for the computer you have it on only.
(Offline)

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