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Windows 7: Recognising Type of OS Disc

10 Aug 2012  
Cheemag

Windows 7 Professional 64-bit
139 posts
Englandshire, Scotland
 
 
Recognising Type of OS Disc

My computer builder put the system I paid for on the computer.



How do I determine whether the discs are retail or OEM? There are two discs, one for X86 and one for X64.

There's no indication on the discs or in (or on) the box as to which type they are.
My System SpecsSystem Spec

10 Aug 2012  
AddRAM

Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bit SP1
3,650 posts
New Jersey
 
 

They are 1 in the same. The key is what determines each.

http://www.mydigitallife.info/differ...e-for-windows/

Where did you purchase the discs ? Are they just burned dvds ?
My System SpecsSystem Spec
10 Aug 2012  
Kari

Windows 7 x64 Ultimate
12,755 posts
A Finnish immigrant in Leipzig, Germany
 
 

To check if your installed Windows 7 is OEM or Retail, see this post: Determining whether OEM or Retail via MGADiag

Kari
My System SpecsSystem Spec
.


11 Aug 2012  
Cheemag

Windows 7 Professional 64-bit
139 posts
Englandshire, Scotland
 
 

Quote   Quote: Originally Posted by AddRAM View Post
They are 1 in the same. The key is what determines each.

Differences Between Retail, OEM, System Builder, Volume Licensing, Full or Upgrade License for Windows « My Digital Life

Where did you purchase the discs ? Are they just burned dvds ?
No they aren't one and the same. As far as I'm aware keys for a retail disc are different from those for an OEM.

No, they aren't burned DVDs, they are original system discs which come in a box with a booklet and a licence sticker. I just don't know whether they're OEM or retail.

These discs are pre-SP1 which means that, following a reinstall, I would have to install SP-1 as well. Digital River is offering a system which allows Windows 7 to be installed with SP-1 incorporated which is much easier than installing from the original pre-SP1 discs.

I have an image of Windows 7 taken just after a reinstall from the purchased discs, with just Windows and security in place, but that's still pre-SP1 !
My System SpecsSystem Spec
11 Aug 2012  
Cheemag

Windows 7 Professional 64-bit
139 posts
Englandshire, Scotland
 
 

Quote   Quote: Originally Posted by Kari View Post
To check if your installed Windows 7 is OEM or Retail, see this post: Determining whether OEM or Retail via MGADiag

Kari
No good. That information doesn't appear to be available:
Attached Thumbnails
Recognising Type of OS Disc-key1.jpg  
My System SpecsSystem Spec
11 Aug 2012  
Golden

Windows 7 Ultimate SP1 (x64)
9,925 posts
South Australia
 
 

Hi,

Run the MGADIAG tool, then post the report here, and I'll take a look at it for you.

Regards,
Golden
My System SpecsSystem Spec
11 Aug 2012  
Kari

Windows 7 x64 Ultimate
12,755 posts
A Finnish immigrant in Leipzig, Germany
 
 

Quote   Quote: Originally Posted by Cheemag View Post
Quote   Quote: Originally Posted by Kari View Post
To check if your installed Windows 7 is OEM or Retail, see this post: Determining whether OEM or Retail via MGADiag

Kari
No good. That information doesn't appear to be available:
What?

Of course that information is available. What on earth you are talking about? The information is always available. Here's that post quoted, important part bold red:

Quote   Quote: Originally Posted by Kari View Post
The easiest way to check whether OEM or Retail:

Attachment 195445

Part highlighted in yellow shows OEM if your Windows is OEM, 3 digits if it is Retail.

Kari
Might of course be me not being a non-native English speaker but I can not say it more clearly. Read that post again. Yours clearly shows three digits ergo it is a retail version.

Kari
My System SpecsSystem Spec
11 Aug 2012  
Cheemag

Windows 7 Professional 64-bit
139 posts
Englandshire, Scotland
 
 

Quote   Quote: Originally Posted by Golden View Post
Hi,

Run the MGADIAG tool, then post the report here, and I'll take a look at it for you.

Regards,
Golden
It is, as suspected Retail. Sticker in the box; no 'OEM' in the serial; fancy box ...
and the MGADiag tool confirms it.

I need to know as I'm seeking a W-7 Pro 64 .ISO with SP-1 slipstreamed. The original discs are pre-SP1.

Why on earth can't they put Retail/OEM on the box ? !!!
My System SpecsSystem Spec
11 Aug 2012  
gregrocker

Win7 x 6 PC's
36,547 posts
California, Florida, Boston
 
 

AddRAM is correct. The Windows 7 installers are the same for retail and OEM versions. It is the key which determines which version will activate.

At Computer>Properties it will say OEM in the Product ID string if it is any form of OEM.

But this doesn't matter if you need the latest official Windows 7 installer with SP1. Just use the same one in Step 1 of Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7 which also details how to get a perfect clean reinstall of any Windows 7 whether retail, Builder's or Factory OEM.
My System SpecsSystem Spec
12 Aug 2012  
Cheemag

Windows 7 Professional 64-bit
139 posts
Englandshire, Scotland
 
 

Thanks. I'll look at that thread and save it for future reference.

Thanks to all who responded.
My System SpecsSystem Spec
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