Full, Upgrade, Retail or OEM

kevvyb

kevvyb

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Are all the pre-order deals for upgrade software rather the full retail versions?

I have shelled out quite a bit on WinXP over the past few years and more recently due to both desktop and laptop falling over at the same time.

I want to be able to install any new operating system I buy on new hardware when that becomes necessary.

I have to be very sure. I am not wasting any more dosh on OEM versions.

It seems to me that just because you get a full version rather than an upgrade, that is something different to the license being OEM or Retail.

Full or upgrade version is not really the issue (although full is obviously better). For me it is about the license to install on new hardware as I upgrade that without buying a new copy of windows.

Does 'full' also mean that the install will not be tied to a previous copy of windows being installed first (or having the key for that version to hand)?
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 7 Pro x64Intel i7 2.66GHz @ 3.6GHz6GB Corsair PC10600 1333Mhz DDR31GB nVidia GTX 280
Computer type
PC/Desktop
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Arbico Computers
OS
Windows 7 Pro x64
CPU
Intel i7 2.66GHz @ 3.6GHz
Motherboard
Gigabit EX58 UD5
Memory
6GB Corsair PC10600 1333Mhz DDR3
Graphics Card(s)
1GB nVidia GTX 280
Sound Card
Creative X-Fi Xtreme Audio 7.1
Monitor(s) Displays
NEC 22470WNX
Screen Resolution
1920 x 1200
Hard Drives
DISK 0 - System - WDC Blue 149GB ~
DISK 1 - Data - 1TB Samsung F1 Spinpoint (3 platter) ~
DISK 2 - Copy Data - 1TB Samsung F1 Spinpoint (3 platter)
PSU
Corsair HX 1000w
Case
Coolermaster Cosmos S
Cooling
Zalman CNPS 9700 LED
Internet Speed
16 - 17Kbps Down ~ 700 -850Kbps Up
Browser
Using SRWareIron, Google Chrome, Firefox, IE9 in that order
Other Info
Billion 7800 N Wireless Router ~
Develo dLan 200AVPlus HomePlug
System drive and data disks encrypted with truecrypt 7.1a
Full means that you can do a clean install on a clean hard drive, without having to prove you owned a previous version or doing the double install upgrade disk method. You wouldn't necessarily benifit from getting the full version, as you can clean install the upgrade disk, then upgrade the newly installed 7 to 7 again then your key will work, or you could insert the previous OS disk during the setup and the key will work. And yeah, only the upgrade version is being offered at low sale prices, and even that ends on the 11th.
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 7 Ultimate retail // Windows 7 build ...Intel Core i7 920 // Intel Core2Duo T-5550 1....12 GB Corsair XMS3 Tri-channel 1333 // 4 GB DDR2EVGA GTX 295 // Nvidia GeForce 8800 GTS
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Self-built // Gateway FX P-6860
OS
Windows 7 Ultimate retail // Windows 7 build 7264 x64, Vista Home Premium SP2 x64
CPU
Intel Core i7 920 // Intel Core2Duo T-5550 1.86x1.86
Motherboard
EVGA x58 SLI LE //
Memory
12 GB Corsair XMS3 Tri-channel 1333 // 4 GB DDR2
Graphics Card(s)
EVGA GTX 295 // Nvidia GeForce 8800 GTS
Sound Card
Integrated Realtek // RealTek HD integrated sound
Monitor(s) Displays
19" Acer flatpanel // Laptop Display, Secondary CRT
Screen Resolution
1440 x 900 1152x864 // 1440x900, 1152x864
Hard Drives
750 GB WD Caviar Black 7200 RPM - in desktop
320 GB -laptop
80 GB - laptop secondary drive
PSU
Corsair HX1000w // Laptop PSU?
Case
Thermaltake Armor+
Cooling
Assload of fans, intel stock cpu cooler // GearHead Fan dock
Keyboard
Razer Lycosa // laptop keyboard
Mouse
Razer DeathAdder // Logitech Laser
Internet Speed
3.0 MB down/ 768 Kb up
Other Info
Just built my computer in 12/09
grouchpunk08 said:
Full means that you can do a clean install on a clean hard drive, without having to prove you owned a previous version or doing the double install upgrade disk method. You wouldn't necessarily benifit from getting the full version, as you can clean install the upgrade disk, then upgrade the newly installed 7 to 7 again then your key will work, or you could insert the previous OS disk during the setup and the key will work. And yeah, only the upgrade version is being offered at low sale prices, and even that ends on the 11th.
Click to expand...

I can't seem to get into my head if I can do a clean install with an upgrade version on a new drive with no previous version. I think no. However I have been told I can. What is the final verdict on this?
 

My Computer My Computer

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Windows 7 Professional x64Intel Core i7 8604GB DDR3 Mushkin 1600Mhz @ 7-8-7-20MSI GTS250 1GB DDR3 Twin Frozr
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Keeps changing - (Custom)
OS
Windows 7 Professional x64
CPU
Intel Core i7 860
Motherboard
Gigabyte GA-P55-UD4P
Memory
4GB DDR3 Mushkin 1600Mhz @ 7-8-7-20
Graphics Card(s)
MSI GTS250 1GB DDR3 Twin Frozr
Sound Card
Onboard realtek
Monitor(s) Displays
Samsung SyncMaster 24" P2450 + Samsung 20" 2033
Screen Resolution
1920 X 1080 and 1600 X 900 (#2 system 1440 X 900)
Hard Drives
Patriot Inferno 120GB SSD + 3 WD Blue 640GB drives
PSU
Corsair 750 HX Modular
Case
Lancool PC-K62
Cooling
Cooler Master TX3 CPU cooler and 4-140mm and 1-120mm case
Keyboard
Gigabyte USB keyboard
Mouse
Microsoft wireless laser mouse 5000
Internet Speed
7 Mb down 1.5 up
Other Info
System #2: AMD Phenom II X6 1055T (Freezer 7 Pro cooler) - Gigabyte 880GMA-UD2H - WD 500GB Black - 9500GT (1GB) 500W OCZ modular PSU - Antec 200 case. System #3 (LapTop) Core 2 Duo T6670 - 320GB 7200RPM HD - 4GB DDR3 RAM.
nate42nd said:
I can't seem to get into my head if I can do a clean install with an upgrade version on a new drive with no previous version. I think no. However I have been told I can. What is the final verdict on this?
Click to expand...
According to a call to microsoft a couple weeks ago, even when performing an upgrade, clean installing is the recommended method. I was told that when performing the upgrade, if there was no previous version on it, it would ask for a previous OS disk, just like it has in other versions of windows. And if you don't have the disk, you can continue, then you can upgrade your newly installed win7 to win7 using the same upgrade disk, and this will make it to where your upgrade key will work.
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 7 Ultimate retail // Windows 7 build ...Intel Core i7 920 // Intel Core2Duo T-5550 1....12 GB Corsair XMS3 Tri-channel 1333 // 4 GB DDR2EVGA GTX 295 // Nvidia GeForce 8800 GTS
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Self-built // Gateway FX P-6860
OS
Windows 7 Ultimate retail // Windows 7 build 7264 x64, Vista Home Premium SP2 x64
CPU
Intel Core i7 920 // Intel Core2Duo T-5550 1.86x1.86
Motherboard
EVGA x58 SLI LE //
Memory
12 GB Corsair XMS3 Tri-channel 1333 // 4 GB DDR2
Graphics Card(s)
EVGA GTX 295 // Nvidia GeForce 8800 GTS
Sound Card
Integrated Realtek // RealTek HD integrated sound
Monitor(s) Displays
19" Acer flatpanel // Laptop Display, Secondary CRT
Screen Resolution
1440 x 900 1152x864 // 1440x900, 1152x864
Hard Drives
750 GB WD Caviar Black 7200 RPM - in desktop
320 GB -laptop
80 GB - laptop secondary drive
PSU
Corsair HX1000w // Laptop PSU?
Case
Thermaltake Armor+
Cooling
Assload of fans, intel stock cpu cooler // GearHead Fan dock
Keyboard
Razer Lycosa // laptop keyboard
Mouse
Razer DeathAdder // Logitech Laser
Internet Speed
3.0 MB down/ 768 Kb up
Other Info
Just built my computer in 12/09
grouchpunk08 said:
According to a call to microsoft a couple weeks ago, even when performing an upgrade, clean installing is the recommended method. I was told that when performing the upgrade, if there was no previous version on it, it would ask for a previous OS disk, just like it has in other versions of windows. And if you don't have the disk, you can continue,
Click to expand...

Got it up to there.....

grouchpunk08 said:
then you can upgrade your newly installed win7 to win7 using the same upgrade disk, and this will make it to where your upgrade key will work.
Click to expand...

Could you explain this bit again......it's probably so obvious to you but you lost me there
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 7 Pro x64Intel i7 2.66GHz @ 3.6GHz6GB Corsair PC10600 1333Mhz DDR31GB nVidia GTX 280
Computer type
PC/Desktop
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Arbico Computers
OS
Windows 7 Pro x64
CPU
Intel i7 2.66GHz @ 3.6GHz
Motherboard
Gigabit EX58 UD5
Memory
6GB Corsair PC10600 1333Mhz DDR3
Graphics Card(s)
1GB nVidia GTX 280
Sound Card
Creative X-Fi Xtreme Audio 7.1
Monitor(s) Displays
NEC 22470WNX
Screen Resolution
1920 x 1200
Hard Drives
DISK 0 - System - WDC Blue 149GB ~
DISK 1 - Data - 1TB Samsung F1 Spinpoint (3 platter) ~
DISK 2 - Copy Data - 1TB Samsung F1 Spinpoint (3 platter)
PSU
Corsair HX 1000w
Case
Coolermaster Cosmos S
Cooling
Zalman CNPS 9700 LED
Internet Speed
16 - 17Kbps Down ~ 700 -850Kbps Up
Browser
Using SRWareIron, Google Chrome, Firefox, IE9 in that order
Other Info
Billion 7800 N Wireless Router ~
Develo dLan 200AVPlus HomePlug
System drive and data disks encrypted with truecrypt 7.1a
Okay...I have been told if you don't have the disk for the previous version ytou cannot continue and I will have wasted my money. You are saying it will let you continue without the disk.......

Well, thanks for the info.
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 7 Professional x64Intel Core i7 8604GB DDR3 Mushkin 1600Mhz @ 7-8-7-20MSI GTS250 1GB DDR3 Twin Frozr
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Keeps changing - (Custom)
OS
Windows 7 Professional x64
CPU
Intel Core i7 860
Motherboard
Gigabyte GA-P55-UD4P
Memory
4GB DDR3 Mushkin 1600Mhz @ 7-8-7-20
Graphics Card(s)
MSI GTS250 1GB DDR3 Twin Frozr
Sound Card
Onboard realtek
Monitor(s) Displays
Samsung SyncMaster 24" P2450 + Samsung 20" 2033
Screen Resolution
1920 X 1080 and 1600 X 900 (#2 system 1440 X 900)
Hard Drives
Patriot Inferno 120GB SSD + 3 WD Blue 640GB drives
PSU
Corsair 750 HX Modular
Case
Lancool PC-K62
Cooling
Cooler Master TX3 CPU cooler and 4-140mm and 1-120mm case
Keyboard
Gigabyte USB keyboard
Mouse
Microsoft wireless laser mouse 5000
Internet Speed
7 Mb down 1.5 up
Other Info
System #2: AMD Phenom II X6 1055T (Freezer 7 Pro cooler) - Gigabyte 880GMA-UD2H - WD 500GB Black - 9500GT (1GB) 500W OCZ modular PSU - Antec 200 case. System #3 (LapTop) Core 2 Duo T6670 - 320GB 7200RPM HD - 4GB DDR3 RAM.
kevvyb said:
Got it up to there.....



Could you explain this bit again......it's probably so obvious to you but you lost me there
Click to expand...

Ok, when you are clean installing from an upgrade disk without putting in a previous OS disk, and you try to activate, it will fail, because you haven't "proven" you own a previous version. The way to clean install on a blank harddrive using an upgrade disk without putting in a previous OS disk is this.

Boot from the DVD, and choose setup to start the install.

Choose advanced and select where you want to install.

When it asks you for a key or a previous OS disk, dont put in a key, and dont put in a disk, and just continue.

Let it finish, and then it will go to your desktop. Don't try to activate now either, as you have an 'upgrade' key.

To get your key to be able to work, you will run the upgrade disk from inside this newly installed windows 7. Then you choose upgrade. It will basically upgrade from 7 to 7. Then once this 'upgrade' is complete, you can use your 'upgrade key to activate you windows 7 installation. Cuz you 'upgraded'.

MS has put this little workaround in all their upgrade media since XP I believe. Hope this is a clear enough explanation
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 7 Ultimate retail // Windows 7 build ...Intel Core i7 920 // Intel Core2Duo T-5550 1....12 GB Corsair XMS3 Tri-channel 1333 // 4 GB DDR2EVGA GTX 295 // Nvidia GeForce 8800 GTS
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Self-built // Gateway FX P-6860
OS
Windows 7 Ultimate retail // Windows 7 build 7264 x64, Vista Home Premium SP2 x64
CPU
Intel Core i7 920 // Intel Core2Duo T-5550 1.86x1.86
Motherboard
EVGA x58 SLI LE //
Memory
12 GB Corsair XMS3 Tri-channel 1333 // 4 GB DDR2
Graphics Card(s)
EVGA GTX 295 // Nvidia GeForce 8800 GTS
Sound Card
Integrated Realtek // RealTek HD integrated sound
Monitor(s) Displays
19" Acer flatpanel // Laptop Display, Secondary CRT
Screen Resolution
1440 x 900 1152x864 // 1440x900, 1152x864
Hard Drives
750 GB WD Caviar Black 7200 RPM - in desktop
320 GB -laptop
80 GB - laptop secondary drive
PSU
Corsair HX1000w // Laptop PSU?
Case
Thermaltake Armor+
Cooling
Assload of fans, intel stock cpu cooler // GearHead Fan dock
Keyboard
Razer Lycosa // laptop keyboard
Mouse
Razer DeathAdder // Logitech Laser
Internet Speed
3.0 MB down/ 768 Kb up
Other Info
Just built my computer in 12/09
nate42nd said:
Okay...I have been told if you don't have the disk for the previous version ytou cannot continue and I will have wasted my money. You are saying it will let you continue without the disk.......

Well, thanks for the info.
Click to expand...
Anytime. This exact process worked for XP and vista, and will work for 7 as well.
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 7 Ultimate retail // Windows 7 build ...Intel Core i7 920 // Intel Core2Duo T-5550 1....12 GB Corsair XMS3 Tri-channel 1333 // 4 GB DDR2EVGA GTX 295 // Nvidia GeForce 8800 GTS
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Self-built // Gateway FX P-6860
OS
Windows 7 Ultimate retail // Windows 7 build 7264 x64, Vista Home Premium SP2 x64
CPU
Intel Core i7 920 // Intel Core2Duo T-5550 1.86x1.86
Motherboard
EVGA x58 SLI LE //
Memory
12 GB Corsair XMS3 Tri-channel 1333 // 4 GB DDR2
Graphics Card(s)
EVGA GTX 295 // Nvidia GeForce 8800 GTS
Sound Card
Integrated Realtek // RealTek HD integrated sound
Monitor(s) Displays
19" Acer flatpanel // Laptop Display, Secondary CRT
Screen Resolution
1440 x 900 1152x864 // 1440x900, 1152x864
Hard Drives
750 GB WD Caviar Black 7200 RPM - in desktop
320 GB -laptop
80 GB - laptop secondary drive
PSU
Corsair HX1000w // Laptop PSU?
Case
Thermaltake Armor+
Cooling
Assload of fans, intel stock cpu cooler // GearHead Fan dock
Keyboard
Razer Lycosa // laptop keyboard
Mouse
Razer DeathAdder // Logitech Laser
Internet Speed
3.0 MB down/ 768 Kb up
Other Info
Just built my computer in 12/09
Thanks. I can follow that and Know what I need to do but it still sounds like it doesn't really make sense, or shouldn't sense :D

Of course here in the UK because the fuss the EU is making, if I am lucky enough to get hold of a copy(s), they will be the full (E) versions.

Will that mean that I just install with the key that comes with the E disk and won't have to go through that upgrade process....?

Tell me if I am wrong but I don't think this answers the OEM/retail question which I suppose comes down to the licence agreement.

I need to know if I go for the offer that this will not restrict me to installing on just the one machine.
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 7 Pro x64Intel i7 2.66GHz @ 3.6GHz6GB Corsair PC10600 1333Mhz DDR31GB nVidia GTX 280
Computer type
PC/Desktop
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Arbico Computers
OS
Windows 7 Pro x64
CPU
Intel i7 2.66GHz @ 3.6GHz
Motherboard
Gigabit EX58 UD5
Memory
6GB Corsair PC10600 1333Mhz DDR3
Graphics Card(s)
1GB nVidia GTX 280
Sound Card
Creative X-Fi Xtreme Audio 7.1
Monitor(s) Displays
NEC 22470WNX
Screen Resolution
1920 x 1200
Hard Drives
DISK 0 - System - WDC Blue 149GB ~
DISK 1 - Data - 1TB Samsung F1 Spinpoint (3 platter) ~
DISK 2 - Copy Data - 1TB Samsung F1 Spinpoint (3 platter)
PSU
Corsair HX 1000w
Case
Coolermaster Cosmos S
Cooling
Zalman CNPS 9700 LED
Internet Speed
16 - 17Kbps Down ~ 700 -850Kbps Up
Browser
Using SRWareIron, Google Chrome, Firefox, IE9 in that order
Other Info
Billion 7800 N Wireless Router ~
Develo dLan 200AVPlus HomePlug
System drive and data disks encrypted with truecrypt 7.1a
kevvyb said:
Thanks. I can follow that and Know what I need to do but it still sounds like it doesn't really make sense, or shouldn't sense :D

Of course here in the UK because the fuss the EU is making, if I am lucky enough to get hold of a copy(s), they will be the full (E) versions.

Will that mean that I just install with the key that comes with the E disk and won't have to go through that upgrade process....?

Tell me if I am wrong but I don't think this answers the OEM/retail question which I suppose comes down to the licence agreement.

I need to know if I go for the offer that this will not restrict me to installing on just the one machine.
Click to expand...

With a full disk, no, you will not have to bother with any kind of upgrading. With a full disk, you can just clean install, and activate right there. But its usually one key-one machine. I may be wrong, but I'm pretty sure even a full version would restrict you to one machine... unless you were to buy multiple keys, as I'm pretty sure its still one key-one machine for retail full versions
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 7 Ultimate retail // Windows 7 build ...Intel Core i7 920 // Intel Core2Duo T-5550 1....12 GB Corsair XMS3 Tri-channel 1333 // 4 GB DDR2EVGA GTX 295 // Nvidia GeForce 8800 GTS
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Self-built // Gateway FX P-6860
OS
Windows 7 Ultimate retail // Windows 7 build 7264 x64, Vista Home Premium SP2 x64
CPU
Intel Core i7 920 // Intel Core2Duo T-5550 1.86x1.86
Motherboard
EVGA x58 SLI LE //
Memory
12 GB Corsair XMS3 Tri-channel 1333 // 4 GB DDR2
Graphics Card(s)
EVGA GTX 295 // Nvidia GeForce 8800 GTS
Sound Card
Integrated Realtek // RealTek HD integrated sound
Monitor(s) Displays
19" Acer flatpanel // Laptop Display, Secondary CRT
Screen Resolution
1440 x 900 1152x864 // 1440x900, 1152x864
Hard Drives
750 GB WD Caviar Black 7200 RPM - in desktop
320 GB -laptop
80 GB - laptop secondary drive
PSU
Corsair HX1000w // Laptop PSU?
Case
Thermaltake Armor+
Cooling
Assload of fans, intel stock cpu cooler // GearHead Fan dock
Keyboard
Razer Lycosa // laptop keyboard
Mouse
Razer DeathAdder // Logitech Laser
Internet Speed
3.0 MB down/ 768 Kb up
Other Info
Just built my computer in 12/09
Just to chime in on the title of this post.

Full and Upgrade are types of installs

OEM and Retail are types of licenses..
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 7 RTMIntel Core 2 Quad QX9770 @ 3.2GHZCorsair 1600MHZ DDR2Dual Nvidia GTX280 in SLI
OS
Windows 7 RTM
CPU
Intel Core 2 Quad QX9770 @ 3.2GHZ
Motherboard
Dell XPS 730 H2C
Memory
Corsair 1600MHZ DDR2
Graphics Card(s)
Dual Nvidia GTX280 in SLI
Sound Card
Creative X-Fi
Monitor(s) Displays
Dell 30inch 3007WFP left - right Acer 19inch
Screen Resolution
2560x1600 - 1280x1024
Hard Drives
1 x OCZ Agility 64GB SSD (OS)
2 x 1TB in Raid Stripe = 2TB
2 x 1TB in Raid Stripe = 2TB
1 x 1TB in External eSata = 1TB
PSU
1KW
Case
Dell XPS 730 H2C w/X-Panel
Cooling
Dell H2C Liquid Cooling Unit.
Keyboard
Saitek Eclipse II
Mouse
Logitech MX518
Internet Speed
20Mb Down/2Mb Up
Other Info
Homepage: http://www.digitalnowhere.com
IRC: irc.efnet.net #winsupport
Just to chime in on the title of this post.

Full and Upgrade are types of installs

OEM and Retail are types of licenses..
Click to expand...

That's exactly what I was trying to get at as I thought that was the case. Do you have any view on the licensing for retail versions? I had understood that they could be moved from one machine to another (as long as on o only one machine at a time) and were not restricted to the machine by hardware hash like OEM copies. I thought that was why OEM copies were cheaper.
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 7 Pro x64Intel i7 2.66GHz @ 3.6GHz6GB Corsair PC10600 1333Mhz DDR31GB nVidia GTX 280
Computer type
PC/Desktop
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Arbico Computers
OS
Windows 7 Pro x64
CPU
Intel i7 2.66GHz @ 3.6GHz
Motherboard
Gigabit EX58 UD5
Memory
6GB Corsair PC10600 1333Mhz DDR3
Graphics Card(s)
1GB nVidia GTX 280
Sound Card
Creative X-Fi Xtreme Audio 7.1
Monitor(s) Displays
NEC 22470WNX
Screen Resolution
1920 x 1200
Hard Drives
DISK 0 - System - WDC Blue 149GB ~
DISK 1 - Data - 1TB Samsung F1 Spinpoint (3 platter) ~
DISK 2 - Copy Data - 1TB Samsung F1 Spinpoint (3 platter)
PSU
Corsair HX 1000w
Case
Coolermaster Cosmos S
Cooling
Zalman CNPS 9700 LED
Internet Speed
16 - 17Kbps Down ~ 700 -850Kbps Up
Browser
Using SRWareIron, Google Chrome, Firefox, IE9 in that order
Other Info
Billion 7800 N Wireless Router ~
Develo dLan 200AVPlus HomePlug
System drive and data disks encrypted with truecrypt 7.1a
kevvyb said:
That's exactly what I was trying to get at as I thought that was the case. Do you have any view on the licensing for retail versions? I had understood that they could be moved from one machine to another (as long as on o only one machine at a time) and were not restricted to the machine by hardware hash like OEM copies. I thought that was why OEM copies were cheaper.
Click to expand...

Yea OEM is restricted to the origional system it was put on.

Retail can be used on unlimited systems, but only 1 at a time.
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 7 RTMIntel Core 2 Quad QX9770 @ 3.2GHZCorsair 1600MHZ DDR2Dual Nvidia GTX280 in SLI
OS
Windows 7 RTM
CPU
Intel Core 2 Quad QX9770 @ 3.2GHZ
Motherboard
Dell XPS 730 H2C
Memory
Corsair 1600MHZ DDR2
Graphics Card(s)
Dual Nvidia GTX280 in SLI
Sound Card
Creative X-Fi
Monitor(s) Displays
Dell 30inch 3007WFP left - right Acer 19inch
Screen Resolution
2560x1600 - 1280x1024
Hard Drives
1 x OCZ Agility 64GB SSD (OS)
2 x 1TB in Raid Stripe = 2TB
2 x 1TB in Raid Stripe = 2TB
1 x 1TB in External eSata = 1TB
PSU
1KW
Case
Dell XPS 730 H2C w/X-Panel
Cooling
Dell H2C Liquid Cooling Unit.
Keyboard
Saitek Eclipse II
Mouse
Logitech MX518
Internet Speed
20Mb Down/2Mb Up
Other Info
Homepage: http://www.digitalnowhere.com
IRC: irc.efnet.net #winsupport
Sorry kev, I completely misunderstood the question you were asking. my last post is somewhat related, although not explained well. Retail licenses, as far as I know, able to be transferred from machine to machine, as long as you only have one activated machine running. Like, if you install on one machine, ok, then once you install on another machine, you're not allowed to run the first machines installation anymore. I thnk thats how it works, someone correct me if I'm wrong
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 7 Ultimate retail // Windows 7 build ...Intel Core i7 920 // Intel Core2Duo T-5550 1....12 GB Corsair XMS3 Tri-channel 1333 // 4 GB DDR2EVGA GTX 295 // Nvidia GeForce 8800 GTS
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Self-built // Gateway FX P-6860
OS
Windows 7 Ultimate retail // Windows 7 build 7264 x64, Vista Home Premium SP2 x64
CPU
Intel Core i7 920 // Intel Core2Duo T-5550 1.86x1.86
Motherboard
EVGA x58 SLI LE //
Memory
12 GB Corsair XMS3 Tri-channel 1333 // 4 GB DDR2
Graphics Card(s)
EVGA GTX 295 // Nvidia GeForce 8800 GTS
Sound Card
Integrated Realtek // RealTek HD integrated sound
Monitor(s) Displays
19" Acer flatpanel // Laptop Display, Secondary CRT
Screen Resolution
1440 x 900 1152x864 // 1440x900, 1152x864
Hard Drives
750 GB WD Caviar Black 7200 RPM - in desktop
320 GB -laptop
80 GB - laptop secondary drive
PSU
Corsair HX1000w // Laptop PSU?
Case
Thermaltake Armor+
Cooling
Assload of fans, intel stock cpu cooler // GearHead Fan dock
Keyboard
Razer Lycosa // laptop keyboard
Mouse
Razer DeathAdder // Logitech Laser
Internet Speed
3.0 MB down/ 768 Kb up
Other Info
Just built my computer in 12/09
licensing

I probably didn't ask the question very clearly.

I have never seen this working except with Adobe Photoshop. That app somehow registers the installation on up to two machines. Beyond that you get an error message advising that it is already installed on two machines (as allowed by license). The process of uninstalling can be done with an operation to move the license to another machine. Very clever. If you forget to do the 'official transfer' operation you're stuffed. Lost one bit of the license!!

Never used anything other than OEM versions of windows so far so have not idea how MS does it.

So can I assume that the versions of Win 7 on offer will be retail versions?
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 7 Pro x64Intel i7 2.66GHz @ 3.6GHz6GB Corsair PC10600 1333Mhz DDR31GB nVidia GTX 280
Computer type
PC/Desktop
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Arbico Computers
OS
Windows 7 Pro x64
CPU
Intel i7 2.66GHz @ 3.6GHz
Motherboard
Gigabit EX58 UD5
Memory
6GB Corsair PC10600 1333Mhz DDR3
Graphics Card(s)
1GB nVidia GTX 280
Sound Card
Creative X-Fi Xtreme Audio 7.1
Monitor(s) Displays
NEC 22470WNX
Screen Resolution
1920 x 1200
Hard Drives
DISK 0 - System - WDC Blue 149GB ~
DISK 1 - Data - 1TB Samsung F1 Spinpoint (3 platter) ~
DISK 2 - Copy Data - 1TB Samsung F1 Spinpoint (3 platter)
PSU
Corsair HX 1000w
Case
Coolermaster Cosmos S
Cooling
Zalman CNPS 9700 LED
Internet Speed
16 - 17Kbps Down ~ 700 -850Kbps Up
Browser
Using SRWareIron, Google Chrome, Firefox, IE9 in that order
Other Info
Billion 7800 N Wireless Router ~
Develo dLan 200AVPlus HomePlug
System drive and data disks encrypted with truecrypt 7.1a
kevvyb said:
I probably didn't ask the question very clearly.

I have never seen this working except with Adobe Photoshop. That app somehow registers the installation on up to two machines. Beyond that you get an error message advising that it is already installed on two machines (as allowed by license). The process of uninstalling can be done with an operation to move the license to another machine. Very clever. If you forget to do the 'official transfer' operation you're stuffed. Lost one bit of the license!!

Never used anything other than OEM versions of windows so far so have not idea how MS does it.

So can I assume that the versions of Win 7 on offer will be retail versions?
Click to expand...

yeah, when you buy windows 7 either from a store or from the MS website, it will be a retail license.
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 7 Ultimate retail // Windows 7 build ...Intel Core i7 920 // Intel Core2Duo T-5550 1....12 GB Corsair XMS3 Tri-channel 1333 // 4 GB DDR2EVGA GTX 295 // Nvidia GeForce 8800 GTS
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Self-built // Gateway FX P-6860
OS
Windows 7 Ultimate retail // Windows 7 build 7264 x64, Vista Home Premium SP2 x64
CPU
Intel Core i7 920 // Intel Core2Duo T-5550 1.86x1.86
Motherboard
EVGA x58 SLI LE //
Memory
12 GB Corsair XMS3 Tri-channel 1333 // 4 GB DDR2
Graphics Card(s)
EVGA GTX 295 // Nvidia GeForce 8800 GTS
Sound Card
Integrated Realtek // RealTek HD integrated sound
Monitor(s) Displays
19" Acer flatpanel // Laptop Display, Secondary CRT
Screen Resolution
1440 x 900 1152x864 // 1440x900, 1152x864
Hard Drives
750 GB WD Caviar Black 7200 RPM - in desktop
320 GB -laptop
80 GB - laptop secondary drive
PSU
Corsair HX1000w // Laptop PSU?
Case
Thermaltake Armor+
Cooling
Assload of fans, intel stock cpu cooler // GearHead Fan dock
Keyboard
Razer Lycosa // laptop keyboard
Mouse
Razer DeathAdder // Logitech Laser
Internet Speed
3.0 MB down/ 768 Kb up
Other Info
Just built my computer in 12/09
clean install is probably the best solution.
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 7 7600.16384 x64Intel Core i7 OC'd to 3.20 GHz6GB GSkillz Triple Channel DDR3 OC'd to 1600 MHzNvidia GTX 280
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Built Myself
OS
Windows 7 7600.16384 x64
CPU
Intel Core i7 OC'd to 3.20 GHz
Motherboard
Gigabyte
Memory
6GB GSkillz Triple Channel DDR3 OC'd to 1600 MHz
Graphics Card(s)
Nvidia GTX 280
Sound Card
X-Fi Platinum
Monitor(s) Displays
Dual 2001FWP
Screen Resolution
1680x1050 x 2
Hard Drives
System - Dual 150GB Raptors Raid0
Doc Storage - 1TB SATA 32MB cache Samsung
TV Recordings - 1TB SATA 32MB cache Samsung
PSU
Gigawatt Antec
Case
Antec 900
Keyboard
Saitek
Mouse
logitech MX 10000
Internet Speed
30 mb/s
Thanks for the info - that's great to know. I don't have my initial disk for VIsta. Thanks!
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows XP
OS
Windows XP
grouchpunk08 said:
yeah, when you buy windows 7 either from a store or from the MS website, it will be a retail license.
Click to expand...

However, if you do purchase Windows 7 or Vista online...you have to watch to see if you are buying an OEM copy or a retail copy. I just picked up Windows Vista 64 Ultimate from NewEgg.com with a free upgrade voucher to Windows 7 64 bit ultimate. The cost was $189 for the license for OEM and $249 for the retail license.

As discussed in this thread, had I gone with the retail, I could have moved it to another computer if I had wanted to. With the OEM copy, it's really tied to my specific computer that I activated it on. However, if you change enough hardware out on the machine, you have to reactivate and that sometimes fails if the machine "appears" too different to Microsoft. Generally speaking, a phone call to MS gets you activated again. I've heard of cases where people have moved the OEM to a completely different computer and called MS and did get activated again. I however am content with having this OS on this 1 and only 1 computer and following the license agreement. For all of my other computers, i run various flavors of Linux.
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 7 Ultimate x64Intel Q9550 2.83Ghz OC'd to 3.40Ghz8GB G.Skill PI DDR2-800, 4-4-4-12 timingsEVGA 1280MB Nvidia GeForce GTX570
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Self-Built in July 2009
OS
Windows 7 Ultimate x64
CPU
Intel Q9550 2.83Ghz OC'd to 3.40Ghz
Motherboard
Gigabyte GA-EP45-UD3R rev. 1.1, F12 BIOS
Memory
8GB G.Skill PI DDR2-800, 4-4-4-12 timings
Graphics Card(s)
EVGA 1280MB Nvidia GeForce GTX570
Sound Card
Realtek ALC899A 8 channel onboard audio
Monitor(s) Displays
23" Acer x233H
Screen Resolution
1920x1080
Hard Drives
Intel X25-M 80GB Gen 2 SSD
Western Digital 1TB Caviar Black, 32MB cache. WD1001FALS
PSU
Corsair 620HX modular
Case
Antec P182
Cooling
stock
Keyboard
ABS M1 Mechanical
Mouse
Logitech G9 Laser Mouse
Internet Speed
15/2 cable modem
Other Info
Windows and Linux enthusiast. Logitech G35 Headset.
kevvyb said:
I have never seen this working except with Adobe Photoshop. That app somehow registers the installation on up to two machines. Beyond that you get an error message advising that it is already installed on two machines (as allowed by license). The process of uninstalling can be done with an operation to move the license to another machine. Very clever. If you forget to do the 'official transfer' operation you're stuffed. Lost one bit of the license!!

Never used anything other than OEM versions of windows so far so have not idea how MS does it.

So can I assume that the versions of Win 7 on offer will be retail versions?
Click to expand...
re: Photoshop - if you happen to do this, just call Adobe. They have the ability to make the activation count right. I had to go through this when a computer on which I had PS CS3 installed crashed. Basically had to rebuild the machine (new MBO, HDD, etc). Adobe on-line activate saw it as a 3rd activation attempt and kicked me to the curb. A phone call got it all squared away.

Retail vs. OEM - As has been stated above, retail can be moved from one machine to another with no issues as long as you don't have more than one machine activated at a time. I don't know how MS knows you've "deactivated" a previous build .... maybe it has something to do with timing of the activation attempts. I don't know.

I believe OEM versions are distributed to resellers ... as in machine builders and retail versions are distributed to real people. That being the case, I think we can all count on getting retail versions. I would sure hope so!
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Win7 Ultimate, x64i7 920, currently NOT OCOCZ Platinum 12GB (6 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRA...nvidia geforce 7600 gt
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Cobbled together :)
OS
Win7 Ultimate, x64
CPU
i7 920, currently NOT OC
Motherboard
Asrock X58 Deluxe
Memory
OCZ Platinum 12GB (6 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600
Graphics Card(s)
nvidia geforce 7600 gt
Sound Card
integrated
Monitor(s) Displays
Samsung SyncMaster 204t (dual monitors)
Screen Resolution
1600 x 1200
Hard Drives
WDC WD2000JS-00MHB0 ATA
WDC WD5000AAKS-65YGA0 ATA
PSU
750w
Cooling
Air, 4 120mm
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