Windows Forum

Ask something
Question Locked

Xp oem versus non-Oem

0 helpful
5 replies

by raticus

Closed to new repliesThis discussion is closed. It stays readable, but it takes no new replies.

Need to install operating system to 2-3 Desktops, Desktops will get hardware changes made since new, need operating system to last yearly formats, changes of hardware and at least 6-8 yrs usage. (98se has lasted me 8 yrs)

If I buy non-Oem full version XP home or pro, will I be legal to install to all these machines and will registration become a problem after a few formats?
Can I buy OP on student cost for XP pro?

5 replies

by thechas

To some extent, it does not make any difference which version of XP you use. You will need to buy 3 licenses in order to install XP on 3 machines. The issue is ACTIVATION. You can only run XP for 30 days without activating the license. The activation process logs the installed hardware and you cannot activate that same product key on different hardware or on multiple sets of hardware at the same time.

It sounds like you have a copy of Windows 98. So, you could buy one upgrade version and 2 full OEM or retail versions.

The retail version gives you the most flexibility in how you use the software. That is, you can freely uninstall it from one machine and install it on a different PC.

Most PC builders use the OEM version to save money. There can be license restrictions on the OEM version that limits your ability to install the same copy on a new system in the future.

You should not have any problem activating a copy of XP after installing it again on the same hardware.

Chas

by raticus

I was looking at another cheap computer the other day, the specs say that you have to make a recovery disk, the salesboy stated that means that you get no OS or other disks with it. Is this legal?
System was running XP home.

by thechas

It can be legal depending on the specifics of the license the builder has. This is not that uncommon. From Microsoft's perspective, it is much harder to install the OS onto a different computer this way.

What you want to make sure of in this situation is that you get a valid license in the form of the certificate of authenticity.

Chas

by cg it

OEM version of Windows has restrictions.

OEM license is good only for the machine it's installed on.

It has no transfer rights.

You do not get 2 free support instances from Microsoft as you do with full packed product [retail product].

see this MS articlehttp://www.microsoft.com/smallbusiness/buy/software/new-pc.mspx

and this one

http://www.microsoft.com/resources/sam/what_basics_licensingOptions.mspx

Don't confuse media [CD] with licenses. You can use the OEM media and buy a new license to use with that media and still validate the install [but the cost typically is the same so why bother]. However it's still OEM with the new license. To remove the OEM restriction you would have to upgrade. If you use upgrade software, you need the OEM disk. If you upgrade the software with FFP, you need the FFP disk.

MS has this thing for 5 licenses. 5 is the # where you achieve the first price break for volume licensing. Anything less than 5, Retail is the best overall value with Microsoft software. OEM is cheaper but know what OEM is before you buy.

So for your requirements of 3 computers, you could go retail and get 3 media[CDs] and 3 licenses all 3 having 2 free support instances with Microsoft.

This discussion is closed to new replies.