Can I provide Win7 DVD to customer if I use OEM?

bigmck said:

I don't think you are understanding the procedure. The OEM is purchased, about a $100. The Product Key purchased with the Win 7 OEM is installed into the PC. You can't use your OEM on his computer. Either you or your customer will have to pay the $100 for the Win 7 OEM.

Now you understand my initial confusion. I thought as a builder, I could install Win7 on my customer's machines using my OEM disk. Didn't think I'd have to buy a new disk for every customer.

If I'm going to have to purchase a physical disk anyway, might as well get the full retail version.

bigmck said:

The OEM and the full retail disk are the same files, exactly.

Actually, they aren't "exactly" the same. Few minor differences in the way each is activated once installed and the ability to include a Builders Logo to the "Performance Ratings" page (not to mention that it records your MoBo info to prevent using same install on a different machine), and the OEM DVD is over 5GB (making it nearly impossible to backup to a standard DVD) while the Retail DVD w/SP1 is only 3.1GB.

Thx again.

The best thing to do is to purchase an OEM copy, install it, activate it, and then include the OEM DVD in its package with their computer. If I were your customer, then this is what I would be expecting. Plus, this makes everything easier for both of you. Not only that, but it keeps it on a very professional level and leaves the best impression.

Edit: I thought of one more thing: raise the cost of their system to cover the cost of the OEM copy of Windows 7, and then tell them that you are including Windows 7 with their computer.

TwoCables said:

The best thing to do is to purchase an OEM copy, install it, activate it, and then include the OEM DVD in its package with their computer. If I were your customer, then this is what I would be expecting. Plus, this makes everything easier for both of you. Not only that, but it keeps it on a very professional level and leaves the best impression.

Edit: I thought of one more thing: raise the cost of their system to cover the cost of the OEM copy of Windows 7, and then tell them that you are including Windows 7 with their computer.

Thanks.

If I'm going to purchase a disc to give to them, I don't want to give them a disk that says "Dell" on it (or some other OEM). My printer can print directly to CD/DVD, so I can make very professional looking customized disks.

On the "Edit", I'm looking for ways to cut their costs, not raise them. :)

Mugsy said:

TwoCables said:

The best thing to do is to purchase an OEM copy, install it, activate it, and then include the OEM DVD in its package with their computer. If I were your customer, then this is what I would be expecting. Plus, this makes everything easier for both of you. Not only that, but it keeps it on a very professional level and leaves the best impression.

Edit: I thought of one more thing: raise the cost of their system to cover the cost of the OEM copy of Windows 7, and then tell them that you are including Windows 7 with their computer.

Thanks.

If I'm going to purchase a disc to give to them, I don't want to give them a disk that says "Dell" on it (or some other OEM). My printer can print directly to CD/DVD, so I can make very professional looking customized disks.

On the "Edit", I'm looking for ways to cut their costs, not raise them. :)

It won't say Dell if you get one of these:

Newegg.com - Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 64-bit - Operating Systems (OEM)

TwoCables said:

It won't say Dell if you get one of these:

Newegg.com - Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 64-bit - Operating Systems (OEM)

Correct, a full Retail $99 copy will not include the OEM providers name.

That's not an OEM disk.

Yes it is. Take a closer look.

To start with, Full Retail used to go for $199.99. Now you can get it for as low as $169.63:

http://www.amazon.com/Microsoft-Wind.../dp/B002DHGMK0

Notice the difference in packaging. The $99 copy I linked above (which is an OEM copy) is in a paper sleeve and is only the 64-bit DVD. The Full Retail comes in a nice plastic retail box and includes both the 32-bit and 64-bit DVDs.

Here's an Upgrade Retail, and it still costs more than OEM:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16832116713

If you're still not convinced, then just go back to the link I gave you for the OEM copy (this one) and study it. It says OEM on the product page, and the photo of the back of the sleeve says this:

"OEM System Builder Pack"
"Intended for system builders ONLY"

It doesn't have to have a manufacturer's name printed on it for it to be an OEM copy.

There's a rising tide of misinformation in this thread that may confuse readers who come here to get the straight skinny on Win7 reinstall for which this site is the leading authority on the web.

The Dell downloads are the official MS clean-copy retail installers for Win7, not Dell Reinstallation DVD's. They are only hosted by Dell but available to the general public if you have a key to activate your version.

All of the retail Win7 installers are the same with some versions hidden by the presence of the Sources>ei.cfg file. They can be used to install Full, Upgrade and Builder's OEM retail sku's - which version will activate is determined only by the key.

If an OEM adds branding or SLP self-activation to the disk it is not a clean-copy Win7 retail installer but a branded OEM reinstallation disk.

I hope this clears up the matter.