using a windows 7 OEM disc and a 64 bit question

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  1. whs
    Posts : 26,210
    Vista, Windows7, Mint Mate, Zorin, Windows 8
       #11

    bigmck said:
    DLB1985 said:
    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.
    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
    Now you got me. What would be the advantage of an upgrade version versus an OEM version (except for the fine print) - especially when you are upgrading an OEM base.
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  2. Posts : 5,056
    Windows 7 x64 pro/ Windows 7 x86 Pro/ XP SP3 x86
       #12

    An upgrade license is a retail license- like a regular retail license it can be transferred freely from one computer to another (as long as its used on only one at any given time) provided each such computer has a qualifying underlying OS. So unlike an OEM license, an upgrade license doesnt die with the mobo it was first installed on.

    At the risk of being told I am a nag, the $150 home premium pack is a real steal- you get three retail upgrade licenses.
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  3. Posts : 9,606
    Win7 Enterprise, Win7 x86 (Ult 7600), Win7 x64 Ult 7600, TechNet RTM on AMD x64 (2.8Ghz)
       #13

    Bill2 said:
    An upgrade license is a retail license- like a regular retail license it can be transferred freely from one computer to another (as long as its used on only one at any given time) provided each such computer has a qualifying underlying OS. So unlike an OEM license, an upgrade license doesnt die with the mobo it was first installed on.

    At the risk of being told I am a nag, the $150 home premium pack is a real steal- you get three retail upgrade licenses.

    Here it is at TigerDirect $149.99

    http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=5224197&Sku=M17-0080Upgrade
    $149.99
    Extra $10 OFF - Enter Code:
    QJT11359 at Checkout
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  4. whs
    Posts : 26,210
    Vista, Windows7, Mint Mate, Zorin, Windows 8
       #14

    Bill2 said:
    An upgrade license is a retail license- like a regular retail license it can be transferred freely from one computer to another (as long as its used on only one at any given time) provided each such computer has a qualifying underlying OS. So unlike an OEM license, an upgrade license doesnt die with the mobo it was first installed on.

    At the risk of being told I am a nag, the $150 home premium pack is a real steal- you get three retail upgrade licenses.
    I understand your explanation regarding the upgrade license. But is that also true if the OS you upgraded (let's say XP) was an OEM license (which would be the case in most non-geeky households).
    But the 3pack is even a better deal - if you need 3 licenses.
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  5. Posts : 5,056
    Windows 7 x64 pro/ Windows 7 x86 Pro/ XP SP3 x86
       #15

    I understand your explanation regarding the upgrade license. But is that also true if the OS you upgraded (let's say XP) was an OEM license (which would be the case in most non-geeky households).
    Yes, OEM licenses of XP qualify as valid, underlying OS for win7 upgrade licenses.

    Yes, I can see the contradiction here- folks who purchased a full XP license are being placed at par with those with OEM licenses and we know that there can be a double or triple price difference between the two. But I suppose such is the logic of new OS marketing.

    And again, if you think in broader terms, the ethical decision is being left to the end user- upgrade licenses can be legally used only if you have an underlying, qualifying OS but as we all know, upgrade disks can perform a clean install of win7 on a blank, unformatted hard drive. So who's to check and how, whether the underlying existed?

    Point is once a new OS is released, the only thing that matters are its sales, everything else becomes subordinate to it.
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  6. whs
    Posts : 26,210
    Vista, Windows7, Mint Mate, Zorin, Windows 8
       #16

    Thanks Bill. That is interesting. Not very logical, but as you say, they are out to push the numbers. Ethics take the back row - as with many things in life.
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