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Win XP Pro question

7 REPLIES 7
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Message 1 of 8
Anonymous
263 Views, 7 Replies

Win XP Pro question

Came across the following post in another news group.
Can someone confirm what is said in message below? I
bought an OEM version of Win XP Pro....is why I ask. Im
especially interested in number three below

========================================================
>What is the difference between the full retail Windows XP
>and the OEM version?

1. An OEM version will not do an upgrade - only a
clean install on a freshly formatted disk

2. Some additional items may not be included (notably
the MS Backup program - but there are much better
alternatives to that)

3. It is licensed *only* for the machine on which it
is first installed and may *not* be transferred later
to a new one (unlike retail which can be so
transferred once removed from the original machine)
7 REPLIES 7
Message 2 of 8
Anonymous
in reply to: Anonymous

G'mornin.

I can only reply to item 2, XP Pro OEM *does* include "System Restore"
which allows you to 'rollback' to a previous, stable config. I know
because I used it, , worked amazingly well.

Also with the OEM version you don't get the MS phone support, found that
out the hard way.

Good luck.
Whit


jmorris@enduroindustries.com wrote:
>
> Came across the following post in another news group.
> Can someone confirm what is said in message below? I
> bought an OEM version of Win XP Pro....is why I ask. Im
> especially interested in number three below
>
> ========================================================
> >What is the difference between the full retail Windows XP
> >and the OEM version?
>
> 1. An OEM version will not do an upgrade - only a
> clean install on a freshly formatted disk
>
> 2. Some additional items may not be included (notably
> the MS Backup program - but there are much better
> alternatives to that)
>
> 3. It is licensed *only* for the machine on which it
> is first installed and may *not* be transferred later
> to a new one (unlike retail which can be so
> transferred once removed from the original machine)
Message 3 of 8
Anonymous
in reply to: Anonymous

> > 3. It is licensed *only* for the machine on which it
> > is first installed and may *not* be transferred later
> > to a new one (unlike retail which can be so
> > transferred once removed from the original machine)

I believe this to be true as well.

cj
Message 4 of 8
Anonymous
in reply to: Anonymous

wrote
> Im especially interested in number three below
>
>> What is the difference between the full retail Windows XP
>> and the OEM version?
>
>> 3. It is licensed *only* for the machine on which it
>> is first installed and may *not* be transferred later
>> to a new one (unlike retail which can be so
>> transferred once removed from the original machine)

The OEM WinXP EULA says this about that:

"The term "COMPUTER" as used herein shall mean the HARDWARE, if the HARDWARE is a single
computer system, or shall mean the computer system with which the HARDWARE operates, if
the HARDWARE is a computer system component.

* Software as a Component of the Computer - The SOFTWARE is licensed with the HARDWARE as
a single integrated product and may only be used with the HARDWARE. If the SOFTWARE is
not accompanied by new HARDWARE, you may not use the SOFTWARE. You may permanently
transfer all of your rights under this EULA only as part of a permanent sale or transfer
of the HARDWARE"

Most people interpret this to mean that the OEM copy of Windows that came with your new
Dell, for example, can't be used on any other computer. Whether you can still use it
legally if you upgrade some or all of the parts in your Dell is kind of iffy. (Dell would
probably argue that it's okay as long as you get your upgrade components from Dell.) Dell
OEM's, by the way are "branded" such that they refuse to install in, say, a Gateway or
some other vendor's machine. I believe this is done by placing an identifier in the system
BIOS that tells the installer routine "hey, it's okay, I'm a Dell." I can, however,
violate the EULA by taking the OEM Windows that came with my Dell Dimension 8200 and
installing it on my Dell Inspiron 7500 and the installer won't complain. (Don't ask how I
know this.)

Lots of vendors will sell you an OEM copy along with some component like a hard disk
drive. The popular interpretation for that scenario is that you can put that component in
any machine you want and use your OEM copy with it, as long as you don't separate the two.
This type of OEM copy doesn't know what component it's supposed to be bundled with, so
there's nothing to physically stop you from separating them.

As far as I know, this particular language in the EULA has never been tested in a court of
law, so there's really no definitive answer as to whether it's enforceable or not.
Message 5 of 8
Anonymous
in reply to: Anonymous

>I can only reply to item 2, XP Pro OEM *does* include "System Restore"
>which allows you to 'rollback' to a previous, stable config. I know
>because I used it, , worked amazingly well.

Hmmm... that's good news

>Also with the OEM version you don't get the MS phone support, found that
>out the hard way.

Well that's not such a big deal with me anyway....as I
get more support via users and news groups anyway.
Message 6 of 8
Anonymous
in reply to: Anonymous

>> > 3. It is licensed *only* for the machine on which it
>> > is first installed and may *not* be transferred later
>> > to a new one (unlike retail which can be so
>> > transferred once removed from the original machine)
>
>I believe this to be true as well.


Darn!!

So what will happen if I try and "move" this Win XP Pro
OEM version to a new PC?

Will it just not allow me to activate it?

Example.... I currently have a Dell Pentium 3
system..... suppose I buy a used Dell Pentium 4
system.... and use the same install disk to put Win XP
Pro on it..... full version..... OEM version.... wonder
what will happen?
Message 7 of 8
Anonymous
in reply to: Anonymous

>> > 3. It is licensed *only* for the machine on which it
>> > is first installed and may *not* be transferred later
>> > to a new one (unlike retail which can be so
>> > transferred once removed from the original machine)
>
>I believe this to be true as well.


Do you think all this applies to an OEM version of MS
Office XP also?

You see..... you can get some pretty good deals on OEM
software thru Newegg....which is where I bought my full
version of Win XP Pro that I am asking abt. See link:

http://www.newegg.com/software/
Message 8 of 8
Anonymous
in reply to: Anonymous

>>So what will happen if I try and "move" this Win XP Pro
>>OEM version to a new PC?

You can do it. You will need to re-activate it over the phone. This is the
same for retail version.
Maybe when you cal, they will say "you can't transfer an OEM" just tell them
you installed a new motherboard and hard drive.

I didn't think there was any difference between the OEM disc and the RETAIL
disc.
but OEM doesn't give you the MS support or installation manual.
I believe all components are still there.
OEM is supposed to be sold with hardware, and is supposed to be kept with
the hardware.
"supposed" to be.



wrote in message
news:hdv01vgcoomh6fgigqlgdbl0n4j5dbh2bn@4ax.com...
> >> > 3. It is licensed *only* for the machine on which it
> >> > is first installed and may *not* be transferred later
> >> > to a new one (unlike retail which can be so
> >> > transferred once removed from the original machine)
> >
> >I believe this to be true as well.
>
>
> Darn!!
>
> So what will happen if I try and "move" this Win XP Pro
> OEM version to a new PC?
>
> Will it just not allow me to activate it?
>
> Example.... I currently have a Dell Pentium 3
> system..... suppose I buy a used Dell Pentium 4
> system.... and use the same install disk to put Win XP
> Pro on it..... full version..... OEM version.... wonder
> what will happen?

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