Hi I have just ordered my parts for my first build and I need an os for it. I'm considering xp now. After searching through the options for xp, I notice the different price tag for oem and retail is quite significant. There are reviews that complain about oem which make me think again about buying it. Also, the complain sound like issues that happen on torrent os. I wander is oem as reliable as torrents? IS getting the retail xp the best option for my new rig and my pocket?
OEM is 100% legal, but you have to purchase it with a motherboard (IIRC) to get it as OEM technically. It does have a slightly different EULA too.
It's with any piece of hardware. I think it was OCUK who used to bundle copies of XP MCE with an MS mouse. OEM is fine if you don't plan on swapping out your motherboard before buying another OS. Technically, OEM should be more reliable than a torrented/warez version as you can access MS Update.
Once installed you can't install it on another machine, and can require a repurchase if you upgrade components (I think this applies to xp aswell as vista although not as strict). Not sure about any other differances, but oem is certainly more friendly to the wallet.
OEM means you can only have the software installed on a single computer with restrictions. Adding hardware and changing motherboards can make Windows ask for reactivation. Swapping motherboards that have the same chipset and video card seem to confuse Windows enough to make it work. In the event you have to reinstall a OEM or reactivate tell the operator your last hardware upgrade and confirm Windows is only installed on one computer. I have a very old OEM Windows XP CD that still works despite going through four motherboards with upgrades.
I have Windows XP Pro pre-SP1 OEM, and I passed over 6 mobo's, and I can still activate my copy of WinXP every 3 month's with 2 min phone call.
seems like oem is not as bad as I thought then...I think I'm gonna pull the trigger every soon unless i get more objections thanks: GoodBytes, Computer Gremlin, willowthewhite, capnPedro and DougEdey...
windows xp OEM isn't the problem, its vista OEM. i had windows xp SP0 disc which i attacked with what i believe is called nlite.. this meant i could install the windows service packs into the install disc, so when i install xp i dont need to update it. (much!) As for torrented versions of windows not accessing the win update, i can say you can. I did get hold of my OS via illegally downloading it, and i can imagin alot of people here have done the same, or been given a copied disc. but i dont suggest it as its illegal and you do it at your own risk. I know the mod's get rather sensitive about illegal software due to its very nature, and i would like to say in no means am i saying to download illegally.(i got band once due to a miss-understanding, and rather it not happen again.
So why take chances with the subject again There was absolutely no need to mention (/remind everyone) in the first place, that you'd 'obtained' yours illegally
Whats so bad about the Vista OEM? I assumed same rules apply, if you've got a hardware change just call them and have it reactivated.
sorry chap, you cant ring up an ask for a reactivation on vista OEM, its really meant for retail machines like Dells and such other branded machines.
sorry i was just making a point that windows update dose work with dodgy downloads, and i know the question 'how do you know' would rise up. this is why i am treading very softly on this subject.
That's not actually the case, I had to swap out my motherboard after it died at the most annoying time. I've got an OEM copy of Vista Business, all I had to do was ring the automated service, give them a code from Vista. You have to confirm that you don't have that OS serial in use anywhere else, and then they give the reactivation code. It was surprisingly easy and hassle free.
Wrong. Wrong. With an OEM you can reactivate, you're only meant to do it if you have broken hardware, but no-one ever does. In all my years of Windows-dom I've never heard of anyone being refused an activation. OEM is perfectly safe, I'm running an OEM copy right now, the only difference with the retail is you're allowed to transfer licences.
