Buying Windows 7 OEM - what else do you need to buy to get it?

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Attobrute

19 posts

Geek

#57533 16-Feb-2010 20:35

This looks like a good deal ($241 for Win 7 Professional)...

Has anyone bought an OEM version of Win 7?

Do you have to buy a full computer, or will some small item of hardware (like extra memory or a HDD) do?

Cheers,

Andrew T

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#299581 16-Feb-2010 21:00

You're supposed to buy it with a system but most stores will give it too you as long as you buy some hardware.

If you don't need to join a domain you should look at the Home Premium 3 pack though, much cheaper.

ZollyMonsta

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#299640 16-Feb-2010 23:17

And here

http://www.einfo.co.nz/shop/product_info.php?products_id=16063&ref=pricespy

for Windows 7 Home OEM. I notice a warning on my HTPC tonight that the beta will expire in 14 days *sigh* I'm just using it for a HTPC so I gather Home will be just fine.

I found a chart here http://www.intowindows.com/difference-between-windows-7-home-premium-professional-ultimate-editions/

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rvangelder

352 posts

Ultimate Geek

#299654 17-Feb-2010 06:58

I thought that you could buy an OEM pack any time, from anyone, and the license doesn't activate until the sticker is slapped on the side of a box. Company that applied the sticker is then OEM.

chriswiggins

413 posts

Ultimate Geek

#299659 17-Feb-2010 07:25

Yep - the computer detects an OEM sticker through some rather nifty feeler pads and goes ohh there is a licence and activates..... =/

No really OEM is supposed to come on a packaged PC but most stores will give it to you with Ram or a motherboard etc

rvangelder

352 posts

Ultimate Geek

#299661 17-Feb-2010 07:30

I've never needed to buy hardware to get the OEM pack. I figured they were selling me the pack so I could be my own OEM, and that was all above board.

chriswiggins

413 posts

Ultimate Geek

#299663 17-Feb-2010 07:33

That is actually against Microsoft's Ts&Cs. It clearly states must be sold on new PC's (or with hardware)

Your store is breaking the law :O

rvangelder

352 posts

Ultimate Geek

#299665 17-Feb-2010 08:08

I'm pretty sure my store is not breaking any laws.
http://oem.microsoft.com/script/contentpage.aspx?PageID=552857

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freitasm

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Geekzone

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#299666 17-Feb-2010 08:15

chrisjunkie: Your store is breaking the law :O

What "law"? They might be breaking the T&Cs, but this is a private contract, not "law".

uktuatara

149 posts

Master Geek

#299685 17-Feb-2010 09:17

Concur don't know if they are breaking any laws, but rather the intent of the OEM license which is to encourage people to bundle Windows with a new PC. Most stores that I have bought from will sell the OEM with any piece of hardware you purchase from them (as already stated.)

BTW I peeled off the OEM sticker from my OEM version of Windows and as I went to stick it on my computer came up with error 'this sticker has already been applied to another PC ... as I moved the sticker away from the computer the error went away, so I'm assuming they must have upgraded the 'feeler' pads with remote wireless 'feeler' technology ;)

ariosto

46 posts

Geek

#299702 17-Feb-2010 10:13

I've used OEM versions for a couple of years now and never had to buy any hardware while doing so. I've read that it won't allow you to transfer your Windows Activation key to a new motherboard if you've already activated it on a different one, but I can't say how true that is. You'd certainly still be able to use the CD to install Windows on a new PC whether or not you've used the key previously (you just may not be able to activate the key.)

I'm currently running an OEM version of Windows 7 64bit with no problems.

By the way, that article I linked to above is probably well worth a read anyway. Like I said, I can't vouch for how correct it is, but it accurately describes what i've experienced with OEM software.

CYaBro

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#299715 17-Feb-2010 11:04

I've had this argument with Microsoft in the past.
We lost a big deal to supply MS Office a few years ago because we followed MS lisence agreements and quoted on upgrade versions, as they weren't buying any PCs or hardware with them, but they did have older versions of Office.
We lost the deal to another store because they just quoted OEM copies of Office, which are a lot cheaper than the upgrade.
I spoke to Microsoft about this and they basically didn't want to know or didn't care.
They said that as long as the software supplied was genuine MS product and not pirated then they wouldn't do anything about it.

Opinions are my own and not the views of my employer.

rvangelder

352 posts

Ultimate Geek

#299751 17-Feb-2010 13:16

CYaBro: I spoke to Microsoft about this and they basically didn't want to know or didn't care.

Curious... I was at a conference once (perhaps TechEd, I can't remember) and after a session I approached the speaker with a small question about Windows licensing. She asked who I worked for and not more than a week later we were being audited. Coincidence??!

edit: I should also mention that we passed.

Ragnor

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#299764 17-Feb-2010 13:51

Trying to figure out Microsoft licensing is a sure fire way to fry your brains.

ZollyMonsta

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#299872 17-Feb-2010 18:32

Ok, I just got a rather confusing email from Expert Infotech.

Can someone please explain the differences between the actual software on the CD for 'OEM' and 'RETAIL' ?

As far as I understand, retail comes with a fancy retail box.. whereas OEM is more a plain distribution. Am I right?

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sbiddle

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#299873 17-Feb-2010 18:38

OEM comes with a slim DVD case, media and licence key sticker. Retail comes with a fancy box.

The actual media is the same (and was with Vista also), it's just the key that determines what functions will work. This differs from XT where they was different media for OEM and Retail.

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