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Thread: Retail Vista, worth it?

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    Senior Member AD-15's Avatar
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    Retail Vista, worth it?

    hello,

    I am about to purchase a system, and with it I can either opt for a retail or an OEM version of Vista Home premium. I will end up paying around £60 more for the retail version (that is, if I buy both the 32bit and 64bit OEM DVD's).

    Is it worth it? What more do I get with the retail version, other than MS's support?

    Thanks!

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    Asking silly questions menthel's Avatar
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    The ability to transfer it to any new computer you purchase or build after this one. Don't forget that OEM should only be used on the computer it was bought with (in this case read motherboard) and is non-transferrable unless the mobo goes kaput.
    Not around too often!

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    IMO, its best to buy an upgrade (educational upgrade is by far the cheapest ) and then do the double-install method to turn it into a retail licence.

    Just had to re-activate my edu upgrade after flashing bios, doubling ram and adding a new gfx card, Microsoft still re-activating them fine......and at 45 quid for a retail home premium licence, you can't complain
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    So even if I buy a new motherboard, and there is nothing wrong with the previous one, I can't install the OEM OS on the new MB?

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    You can do but Microsoft will want you to jump through the re-activation hoops......You could lie to them and say the old motherboard died but if you upgrade a lot I am not sure how long they will keep on believing you.
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    Asking silly questions menthel's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by AD-15 View Post
    So even if I buy a new motherboard, and there is nothing wrong with the previous one, I can't install the OEM OS on the new MB?
    Simply and legally, no. You can lie to them and say the old one broke but they will be rather suspicious if the whole pc spec changes!
    Not around too often!

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    780 nanometres redlight's Avatar
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    Get the retail.
    I can see Microsoft making it more difficult to reactivate Vista OEMs in the future as it was way to easy with XP.
    I think the days of "I had to replace my motherboard" will soon be gone and proof of repair from the original system builder will be needed.

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    Quote Originally Posted by redlight View Post
    Get the retail.
    I can see Microsoft making it more difficult to reactivate Vista OEMs in the future as it was way to easy with XP.
    I think the days of "I had to replace my motherboard" will soon be gone and proof of repair from the original system builder will be needed.
    Can't see it. At the moment they are just happy that people are buying OEM rather then pirating retail or going Linux.
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    IF you're going to be upgrading at some point then either the full retail or upgrade version will be worth the extra in the long run imo.
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    Quote Originally Posted by Blitzen
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    Quote Originally Posted by shaithis View Post
    Can't see it. At the moment they are just happy that people are buying OEM rather then pirating retail or going Linux.
    Yes they are happy to take the money and tie you to Vista.
    Then get strict later and you can then move to Linux if you dont like it when they clamp down.
    They have had the money for the OEM so why would they then care if you moved or pirated.
    Some money from the punter is better than none.

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    Quote Originally Posted by shaithis View Post
    Can't see it. At the moment they are just happy that people are buying OEM rather then pirating retail or going Linux.
    If you take a look at this thread, it appears they're cracking down on it - not technically in any way, just making it a very awkward process, even for valid cases. May just be a sticky time or 1 off (well, 2 off), but it certainly isn't as easy as it appeared to be earlier in Vista's life.

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    Can't remember who said it, so apologies in advance for the plagiarism...

    Retail bucks = 3x OEM bucks (2x if you want both 32 and 64 bit)

    So, you could buy the OEM version 3 times before kicking yourself for not buying the Retail version. Wouldn't it then make sense just to pay for multiple copies of the OEM when you upgrade your mobo until Windows bring out the Vista successor?

    Guess I'm saying that OEM Vista gets my vote

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    Flat cap, Whippets, Cave. Clunk's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by menthel View Post
    Simply and legally, no. You can lie to them and say the old one broke but they will be rather suspicious if the whole pc spec changes!

    I think we established in one of the many other threads that it isnt actually illegal, its just against microsoft licensing agreement.
    Quote Originally Posted by Blitzen View Post
    stupid betond belief.
    You owe it to yourself to click here really.

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    Quote Originally Posted by this_is_gav View Post
    If you take a look at this thread, it appears they're cracking down on it - not technically in any way, just making it a very awkward process, even for valid cases. May just be a sticky time or 1 off (well, 2 off), but it certainly isn't as easy as it appeared to be earlier in Vista's life.
    Well, in the last two weeks I have re-activated both my Vista installs, a 64bit OEM Ultimate and an upgrade Home Premium (upgraded from itself, a loophole in itself)......both went through with the usual "How many PCs is this installed on?" , "1", "Ok, your new activation code is....blah"

    Seems you sometimes get someone who is a pain but phone again and you are likely to get a better response. Although, I've now had 3 re-activations in total since Vista launched and I've got a helpful person every time so far.

    And when a BIOS flash causes Windows to de-activate, I fail to see how they can have any other policy.....or customers will be after Microsofts blood.
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    Asking silly questions menthel's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Clunk View Post
    I think we established in one of the many other threads that it isnt actually illegal, its just against microsoft licensing agreement.
    Fairs enuf! Microsoft will probably deactivate you windows if they find out though!
    Not around too often!

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    Quote Originally Posted by menthel View Post
    Fairs enuf! Microsoft will probably deactivate you windows if they find out though!
    I'm not sure why they would, if they have just reactivated it over the phone?

    Weirder and more important things have happened though
    Quote Originally Posted by Blitzen View Post
    stupid betond belief.
    You owe it to yourself to click here really.

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