Windows 7 OEM and Regular?

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  1.    #11

    jefhart said:
    I upgraded my motherboard, video card, and processor with a copy of OEM Premium and, after calling Microsoft and telling them my motherboard died, they gave me a new code to use and all was fine. OEM is way cheaper.
    This cannot be counted upon in other cases. If MS is making an exception to the EULA, it can only be considered an exception.

    Have now seen four reports of this in the past year but I would not buy OEM because of it unless they change the EULA. Reports are that they are tightening the OEM EULA requirements to apply to System Builders only as originally intended.

    One previous case gave the impression that they excepted mobo change because they were told it was installed to wrong machine in error. They can check how long it was activated on their end.
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 5,795
    Windows 7 Ultimate x64 SP1
       #12

    It is plain and simple, and easy to find, the differences between OEM and Retail, and has been covered in depth on these forums and others for years.

    However, the gray area is the interpretation. I am the system builder, I provide my own support, so I should be okay to use OEM. That's in debate now, as the rules are being tightened. You also can technically get an OEM license reactivated after upgrading the computer, but you'd be inviolation of the EULA, so take that as you wish.

    My general thoughts are this. If you are planning to use it on the same computer for years to come, and usually buy a new OS with each new computer purchase, you'd be fine with OEM. If you upgrade often, and plan to keep using Windows 7 through the upgrades, get retail. Besides, there are other legit ways of obtaining Windows 7 retail without paying the full blown price for one single license.

    As for the Microsoft support, the reason why people don't go to Microsoft is that you have to pay for each incident, where as you can usually find the same answers through forum boards or quick searching. No one, as a home customer, should ever need to contact Microsoft support for anything other than an activation issue. Corporate customers are a different boat, so my comments don't apply.
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 7,878
    Windows 7 Ultimate x64
       #13

    DeaconFrost said:
    However, the gray area is the interpretation. I am the system builder, I provide my own support, so I should be okay to use OEM.
    Actually there isn't much grey area at all. According to the Microsoft licensing terms, for the OEM version
    1). You MUST sell the computer to an unrelated third party
    2). The OS must be installed using the OPK (OEM Preinstallation Kit)

    Here is what Microsoft says (Licensing for Hobbyists)
    There is a growing market for "do-it-yourself" home PC hobbyists who assemble PCs from components for their own use. Microsoft retail software licenses are the appropriate licenses for the do-it-yourself market. OEM System Builder software is not intended for this use, unless the PC that is assembled is being resold to another party.
    So I would say that Microsoft is extremely clear that we aren't intended to use this on your own home computer. For this reason, I do not use, suggest or endorse using OEM licenses. I think it's more appropriate to use Technet which has it's own grey area...but doesn't seem to be as specific as this at this point.
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 5,795
    Windows 7 Ultimate x64 SP1
       #14

    I would normally agree with you, except for one point. If I can walk in to my local Microsoft and purchase a Windows 7 System BUilders OEM license, without any other hardware, I'm taking that to mean the restrictions are somewhat lax. Once those license are pulled, or are required to be purchased with hardware again, I'd consider it legit to use at home on one PC and only one PC.

    TechNet could be another option, assuming the computer and license won't be resold or given away, but TechNet also has restrictions, and I'm honestly waiting for the day the prices jump up quite a bit to discourage home users from buying TechNet...which is not the intended audience. However, in keeping with my previous comment, as long as any average joe can click onto the TechNet subscription and buy without any proof of IT career, etc....then go for it.
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 7,878
    Windows 7 Ultimate x64
       #15

    DeaconFrost said:
    and I'm honestly waiting for the day the prices jump up quite a bit to discourage home users from buying TechNet...which is not the intended audience. However, in keeping with my previous comment, as long as any average joe can click onto the TechNet subscription and buy without any proof of IT career, etc....then go for it.
    I'm always amazed that Technet is offered as cheaply as it is. Either that, or I am shocked that MS charges so much for the software at retail.

    This is the one thing that irks me about MS software...there are so many different prices depending upon what program and loophole you take advantage of. Student versions, Technet, MSDN, etc.

    I think it's pretty clear that Microsoft doesn't intend home users to use Technet...as it's for "testing"....but then again they don't check for it, nor have any way to determine what you define as "testing".

    But like I said, I don't recommend, endorse or use OEM licenses anymore. MS is clear they don't want me to. It's either pay retail or get another free OS.
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 3,487
    Win 7 Pro x64/Win 10 Pro x64 dual boot
       #16

    I agree with pparks1 on this one, but I have one suggestion for Microsoft if they want to eliminate any ambiguity in the OEM licensing:

    Pull the OEM copies from computer retailer's shelves. As mentioned, as long as I. or anyone else can pop down to the local computer shop and pick up an OEM copy without a hardware purchase, the "abuse" of the license will continue. Fact.
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 7,878
    Windows 7 Ultimate x64
       #17

    yes, if consumers cannot buy OEM, don't sell it to us. Maybe require a tax payer ID or something else for business purposes.
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 5,795
    Windows 7 Ultimate x64 SP1
       #18

    Even non tech-savvy people can walk into a MicroCenter, see a huge Windows 7 display, with System Builder OEM copies on the shelves of the display. No hardware is required. I had two co-workers build PCs and wanted them as low cost as possible, but still legal, so I had them both pick up a copy there. I'm not disagreeing with the rules and EULA, etc....but if Microsoft doesn't want people using them for their own computers, they shouldn't be readily available.
      My Computer

  9.    #19

    pparks1 said:
    yes, if consumers cannot buy OEM, don't sell it to us. Maybe require a tax payer ID or something else for business purposes.
    I wonder if these reports of MS allowing mobo changes on OEM are surfacing now because they decided to sell OEM openly via retail without a hardware purchase.

    They are under such an avalanche of lawsuits and court judgments that selling something retail which is restricted in such a way that its value could dissolve by mistake may be deemed too legally risky. It would need huge warning labels that obscure the airy hummingbird
      My Computer


  10. Posts : 7,878
    Windows 7 Ultimate x64
       #20

    it's just a case of Microsoft doing whatever they can to make a buck. Sure, they want to make people think it's not appropriate so that the informed person buys the more expensive version...but they want the cheaper version there for the person who is willing to pay X for the software rather than Y.
      My Computer


 
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