Windows 7: using a windows 7 OEM disc and a 64 bit question

Hello all,
I've been looking to upgrade an older Thinkpad T61 with windows 7, now I've been looking on Amazon and have seen the OEM version. Now I have 7 pre installed on another machine, and will buying an OEM version still work fine. Also I have 64 bit on my main system and I was wondering about compatibility on this one, it has 2 gig's of ram and a core 2 duo T7300 so I think it is 64 bit compatible and just need some clarification. 64 bit would give me some head room if I ever want to give it 4 gigs.

Hello DLB1985, welcome to Seven Forums!



The one drawback with OEM is it lives and dies with the first motherboard that it is installed to, it can never be legally moved to another PC/mobo.



Have a look at this link below to make sure there will be no issues installing Windows 7 to that PC.

Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor

Unless you really want to move the OS from system to sytem all the time, OEM is tha way to go. You can buy at least two OEMs for the price of one retail version - and the retail version can also only run on 1 system at any given time.

AFAIK, T7300 is 64 bit capable. Also, I would suggest you purchase the home premium family pack- thats a retail upgrade license valid for 3 PCs, real value for money.

Actually its the hard disk. If you upgrade only the hard disk the OEM version cant be used

Exempt is Hard disk failure.

OEM version checks for :

BIOS ID of manufacturer --- Motherboard ID --- HDD ID --- OPTICAL DRIVE ID---Unknown factors >> Activates it offline.

For Lenovo (now) only:

Probable explanation for the fact if Ted and I have the same Lenovo laptop model, Ted can not use my disk (If they gave me the disk and Ted has lost his somehow and now needs to use it):

Also include special chip set to store a key. It is impossible to get that key.

The freedom of Retail version can not be simulated by OEM version. I format and clean install the partition at regular interval to get rid off the invalid reg keys of trial version softwares. Yes, OEM is pocket friendly and enough for a general user.

This is probably 2nd or 3rd time I am saying here, OEM softwares can not be sold by other than system manufactures. It is totally illegal and I posted the warnings about this from Microsoft in other previous posts.

A lot of us on the forum have swapped hard drives including me with an OEM version with no problem.
Home built PC.
It reauthenticates upon loading or after which took about 30 seconds.

Even swapped out bad mobos with a phone call by many others.

I would have the 4gb of RAM before upgrading your main system to 64 bit. It may struggle with 2gb.

Greg, you are absolutely right. With his current configuration, there is nothing to be gained with 64bit. I run both 32 and 64bit on similar systems and I cannot tell the difference. In fact there are some advantages to 32bit in terms of program compatibility.

There is not anything to be gained by using an OEM version. You can buy an Upgrade for about the same price. The Upgrade is $119 and the OEM is $99
Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium Operating System Software - UPGRADE Version - DVD at TigerDirect.com

Problem is virtually all types of Windows 7 licenses have some amount of FUD associated with them. Let me give some examples.

1) This system builder OEM. Now, it was earlier legal to use this on a PC an end user built, but somewhere sometime, MS changed a couple of lines. Unfortunately they did not tell their own MVPs about it. 100s of stores sell copies of this edition, if MS has the muscle to stop counterfeiting in China why doesnt it stop Newegg/Amazon and company from selling these?

See these.

Is it OK to use OEM Windows on your own PC? Don't ask Microsoft | ZDNet

Is it legal to build a personal rig with Windows 7 OEM license? - general-discussion - windows-7

2) The Upgrade disks. When the upgrade version first came out (the student deal), there were endless debates on whether they would install on a blank disk. Eventually someone found a way, then MS declared its legal as long as one has an underlying OS but please note that there was confusion on this subject for a long, long time. Lots of folks put off buying this cheaper version because of that.

3) Anytime Upgrade- Do retail keys always work with WAU? nobody knows.

4) Are install dvds language specific? nobody knows for sure.

5) Technet and MSDN licenses. These are supposedly meant for IT evaluators and developers but anybody can buy a subscription without having to submit credentials they belong to either category.

Dont get me wrong, I dont condone piracy or any violation of EULA. But I think some things need to be set in order before we start telling people dont do this, dont do that. For MS also, tech support would get easier IMHO if they clear up such issues early in the product life cycle.