Can I sell a Vista OEM DVD?

[unreal]

I'm actually almost expecting a guaranteed 'No' for this but the implications of it confuse me so I thought I could get some clearing up on exactly why...

Basically I got two Vista Home Premium 32bit DVD's - clean install versions. They're both OEM's that came with my laptop from Dell (I got my laptop replaced within the first month of getting it for an identical one so I ended up with two).

I use Windows XP at the moment, so both of them aren't being used - seems a bit of a waste to me but I don't want to use them, lol.

So whats the deal exactly? Much thanks for the help & info chaps

[kalniel]

You can sell it as long as you include your laptop in the sale.

[dave87]

Or, reading it another way - you can sell the media, just not the license without the laptop.

[Funkstar]

Also you may have two install disks, but you'll only have one licence which is stuck to the bottom of the laptop.

[directhex]

Or, reading it another way - you can sell the media, just not the license without the laptop.

This is the correct answer. Media can be resold, the license can not. The media without a license may have little value to people.

[PeterStoba]

This is the correct answer. Media can be resold, the license can not. The media without a license may have little value to people.

Especially as it's from Dell, will this have the drivers and dell software pre loaded onto it, or don't they do that anymore?

[synaesthesia]

And how you sell it makes a difference. Ebay will likely pull an auction for OEM software, regardless of licensing.

[Kumagoro]

If it is the case that the "license" cannot be resold then why are computer games not sold
on the same premise seeing as they dont like the second hand market.

[jim]

A Sports Interactive representative responded to complaints about DRM killing the second-hand games market for FM 2009 by saying that the EULA banned the sales of games.

I personally can't believe that's true, considering it goes on in the high street, but it's hard to argue with someone who is representing a games firm.

[this_is_gav]

Especially as it's from Dell, will this have the drivers and dell software pre loaded onto it, or don't they do that anymore?

Not with the Vostros of XPS M1530 I've had. They just came with a driver disk and a separate bog-standard Vista disk, just branded in Dell brown rather than all hologramified, like the MS ones. No bloatware to speak of... I don't even think there was an antivirus trial installed on the disks now that I think back, but it's an option now - you can select either no antivirus or a Norton free trial when ordering. Other than that, it's just Works 9 which is included I think, which is on a 3rd disk.

All a far cry from the Acer laptops we seem to buy most often*, which come preloaded with Download.com and get immediately wiped!

* working with Dell in the public sector is a nightmare if you don't want their HORRIFICALLY overpriced goods in the public sector area of their website). For example, a basic-spec Vostro 1510 C2D costs £845 excluding VAT (delivery is free) from the Schools section of their website. The exact same spec that I can see (including warranty) Vostra 1510 from the Small Business site (the one we were all buying a couple of year back) costs £390 ex (delivery is currently free, but would normally be £20, so I've included it).

[kalniel]

If it is the case that the "license" cannot be resold then why are computer games not sold
on the same premise seeing as they dont like the second hand market.

Because they generally do like the second hand market and therefore include a term in the license that allows you to sell or pass it on. The second hand market is a huge anti-piracy tool that helps put cash in the hands of the original buyer so they can buy more new games, a bit like cars - the cost of a new car is tremendous, but isn't so bad if you take into account the money you make back when selling it on to someone else.

The only games I've seen that don't work with the second hand market are ones on Steam, or small DLC type content.

[peterb]

If it is the case that the "license" cannot be resold then why are computer games not sold
on the same premise seeing as they dont like the second hand market.

Because (in addition to the other answers) an OEM Windows OS license can only be installed by the builder of the equipment and only on that equipment. Once it is installed it essentially becomes embedded software. Dave87's comment that the license can only be sold with the laptop is correct - which is why OEM licenses have the licence sticker attached to the equipment to which it belongs.

Furthermore, support foir OEM licenses lies with the equipment vendor (unlike a more expensive retail licence) so if you sold an OEM licence on, support responsibilities would be vague - but probably with you!

[unreal]

Thanks much for the help peeps! That's a shame really, I got two independent Vista DVD's and nothing to do with them. I wouldn't mind if I could swap one of them for a Windows 7 license in the future for a small fee though! *hint hint*

And yeah, regarding the above question - they're virtually untouched Vista install discs. They're branded like the Dell driver discs (in terms of physical appearance) but the only editing I noticed was if you went to the Device settings and looked at the 'about' of the computer, and the Dell logo would be there.