What's OEM ?

Hi, I'm embarrassed to say I'm a bit confused with this OEM thing... I'd bought an OEM XP PRO maybe a year ago (or more)... haven't had a prob with it, though some people are saying that Vista OEM will cause trouble (don't quite know of what sort) possibly with changing hardware and validation, so thanks for clearing this for me! I don’t exactly know what OEM is… all I know is that the packaging is minimal so is the pricing.

 

well it stands for Original Equipment Manufacturer, and it means: you don't get support from MS (in the case of vista) you are suppose to get support from the place where you bought the product[ot]but your using HWF's so you don't need support from anywhere else[/ot]

 

Then is that the only problem with OEM, or are there activation issues with VISTA ?

 

Support for software that was supplied with your PC

 

i've heard vista's activation / registration is an even bigger problem on vista (compared to XP) i will never use another MS OS (unless i'm forced :guns: ) but XP's product activation is the reason i'm now using linux[ot]XP on my PC hardly outlived the activation expiry (30 days)[/ot]

 

Ok, let me be a bit more specific :dry: : if I put together a new pc, and install a VISTA OEM then enter the key and it will work fine.. then change any component, e.g. CPU, GPU, HDD etc... will my key be denied?
Thanks for your help!

 

it depends which component you change, if you change:

• CPU = it will just work
• any card = 1 change is made (i think you can change 8 items before reactivation is required)
• HDD = reinstall & activation required
• mobo = reinstall & activation required

Edit: i think you can only activate an install of XP or vista about 3 or 4 times (over the internet) then you have to telephone MS to get the activation code[ot]that's why i don't use MS stuff, WPA is a real pain[/ot]

 

I'd like to be 100% sure that I won't have to get another Windows if I change my hardware 4-5 times... :O Thank you for confirming ASAP!

 

no, i thinkyou misunderstood what i was trying to say, you get Windows, install it, then activate it, you don't need another Windows, you just need to reactivate it by typeing the activation code given to you by Microsoft over the telephone

Edit: i've edited my previous post to clarify it a bit (hope it helps)

Edit:[ot]sorry for the confusion[/ot]

 

Or you can activate your windows through internet as well... Which is more easier coz u dnt have to go through the hassle of typing so many numbers... :doh:

 

Yeah, I get it... what I'm not sure of is whether MS will give me a new key (over the phone or whatever way) once the original isn't accpeted anymore... It's like that with FSX :doh: If I want to install it with different hardware more than 3 times, I'll have to call MS to get a new code...

 

yes they will, they'll just ask you to confirm that the OS is only to be used on 1 system[ot]they know how :swear:ing annoying it is[/ot]

@Karan, you can only activate Win a few times (3 or 4 if i remember correctly) then you've got to telephone MS[ot]i may be wrong about the number of net activations, cos i've never used vista and haven't used XP for over a year[/ot]

 

You can call 0900 57669 0 (I think its switzerland Microsoft Support Centre number; not sure coz cant understand dat website language)... and confirm with the microsoft. The best way to know the answer... Coz I doubt if microsoft provide any help on OEM OS discs exept updates..!

 

or before activation just select the county you live and the activation proccess will give you the correct number to call, just before you enter the activation code

 

There isn't an issue calling MS to reactivate on OEM copies.

On one of my PC's I've had to call in 3 times after replacing pretty much the whole system and have never had an issue getting an activation code using an OEM license that came with the PC.

 

I agree. I went through it when running XP beta, and it wasn't a problem. For all the horrors I heard about, it was smooth as glass.

 

Then which support is that which we dont get with OEM version of Windows??? :unsure:

 

Basically the only support MS provides to OEM customers is licensing issues and updates. If you have any questions about the OS like how to install it or how to remove IE and have Firefox as the default browser that is handled by the system builder.

Basically by going OEM you don't get a manual (although I haven't seen one in a retail MS OS in a while) and you don't get the hand holding support which I'm guessing most users here wouldn't need.

 

Thanks for making it clear Syngod :beer:

 

yeah, I had to call MS today and ask for a new key for FSX! Cause I'd changed a few times my hardware and windows... thanks for clearing it guys!