you can disagree, but u'd be wrong. if you are a builder, and you buy the oem version, and install on a pc you are selling, you "agree" that this install goes with the machine and you will not install this os on another system. you also agree to provide the support for the os, blah blah blah. but if you buy it for urself, there is no limit to how many times you can re-install on your own pc. the re-activation is ms' way of monitoring it. you don't have to call ms to re-activate. please, be sure you know what you are talking about before posting advice...really, the only time a retail version is necessary is if you do not want to support the os on a build you are selling, or you want the support on your own machine... having said that, things may differ on the other side of the pond, i can't say if the uk policy is the same...so taking my own advice, check with ms... edit:after re-reading what i posted, i basically gave the short version, i can see where there's room for debate on what i said specifically, the oem version doesn't "mean" that, but for those that don't truly understand, i spelled it out pretty clearly here.
Well that is news to me. I was quoting advice that I read in Custom PC about serial upgraders needing to buy the retail version as OEM is a single install deal. It will be good if your right, although I've bought a retail version of Windows 7 lol
lol...i hear ya... i'm kinda curious now if the uk rules spell out the same. i actually signed an agreement with a vendor where i used to buy most of my components and os discs...so i can say for sure that's how it is in the US... simply put, do you want to pay for support if your windows install isn't agreeing with your pc, or do you want it free? then you get into the specifics of one install per pc...there is no limit to re-installing on that pc, but to keep it from losing m$ too much money, you do have to re-activate. and i am sure if m$ sees different owners for the same copy, they will lock it...i've never tested it lol, but i have installed xp on my 'new' pc 4 + times. win 7 is about to be installed for the third time (2nd on my ssd)
I'd never heard the OEM reinstall issue until reading custom PC. Still not quite sure where I stand now.
do you want to avoid the hastle of re-installing everytime you change the mobo out? do you want to avoid paying m$ everytime you need to open a service ticket? go retail... if none of that bothers you, go oem...i've never opened a ticket with them, and it's no big deal to me to reinstall once a year...
