Windows 7 licence question.

[Doherz]

I currently have an OEM windows 7 licence and I understand the implications of that, but now I'm interested in buying a new cpu and with bulldozer looking like its going to need a newer socket it looks like I'll need a new mobo.

So here's the question, I've currently got home basic. If I buy an upgrade key to proffessional or ultimate will I still only have an OEM licencse or will it be a retail license?

I'm only asking because I can get an upgrade pack for £40 through my university and it would be cheaper than buying a new copy of windows if I want to upgrade my mobo.

Thanks for any help.

[Jonj1611]

If you paying £40 and your a student, just buy a licence from software4students, its £39 for windows 7 Pro!!

HTH
Jon

[Doherz]

Ahh thanks, thats a really good find. If I buy that am I effectively buying a totally new copy of windows? I'm only asking because calling it an upgrade edition is confusing.

[jim]

It's an upgrade license, but for all intents and purposes it will work the same as a retail edition.

Main difference is that you can't sell it on later to someone else, not according to MS's T&Cs at least.

[Doherz]

Thanks for the help, thats fair enough I was just checking. Hopefully the bulldozers will be back compatible with AM3 without being crippled and I can save the expense of a new mobo and new windows license. Be interesting to see if AMD gives us any concrete details at Cebit this week, I hope they do so I can plan my finances in time for any upgrades.

[kalniel]

I currently have an OEM windows 7 licence and I understand the implications of that, but now I'm interested in buying a new cpu and with bulldozer looking like its going to need a newer socket it looks like I'll need a new mobo.

So here's the question, I've currently got home basic. If I buy an upgrade key to proffessional or ultimate will I still only have an OEM licencse or will it be a retail license?

Still be OEM license, and still only be licensed for your original machine.

Upgrade editions take on the license of the software that you upgrade, so if you apply them to a retail license the retail license remains, if you apply them to an OEM license, the OEM license remains.

[BigYoSpeck]

Regardless of the legalities of the license it just plain won't work on anything other than an OEM mainboard.

The OEM version of Windows 7 works in 3 parts, first is the BIOS contains an SLIC table, then the installation must have an OEM certificate installed and finally a key code relating to the version of Windows 7 (Starter through to Ultimate). If you upgrade the motherboard to a retail board it's BIOS won't contain the SLIC table and so validation will fail. If you purchase a version upgrade all that does is give a key for the upgraded version and enable the extra features, it will still not transfer.

The irony is that this entire anti-piracy process only affects honest users who want to continue to use their genuine license on upgraded systems and doesn't prevent piracy at all.

[jim]

Regardless of the legalities of the license it just plain won't work on anything other than an OEM mainboard.

The OEM version of Windows 7 works in 3 parts, first is the BIOS contains an SLIC table, then the installation must have an OEM certificate installed and finally a key code relating to the version of Windows 7 (Starter through to Ultimate). If you upgrade the motherboard to a retail board it's BIOS won't contain the SLIC table and so validation will fail. If you purchase a version upgrade all that does is give a key for the upgraded version and enable the extra features, it will still not transfer.

The irony is that this entire anti-piracy process only affects honest users who want to continue to use their genuine license on upgraded systems and doesn't prevent piracy at all.

That is complete nonsense. You can use any version of Windows 7 on any computer and it will work fine.

[Jonj1611]

Agree with Snootyjim

Jon

[CaptainCrash]

That is complete nonsense. You can use any version of Windows 7 on any computer and it will work fine.

errmm... actually he's right in a way, an "OEM OEM" disc, eg a branded disc that comes with a Dell or Hewlett-Packard PC, is BIOS-locked to their own hardware (where it will activate automatically without user intervention), and it probably won't work anywhere else. I gather people have had success in certain circumstances, but it shouldn't be relied on.

On the other hand, a "generic" OEM disc that you get with a vanilla system builder's kit *will* work with any hardware.

I'm not sure what the OP has, but I suspect from his post he's a home builder, so it's probably the generic version (in which case it should work OK, leaving aside licensing issues).

[BigYoSpeck]

That is complete nonsense. You can use any version of Windows 7 on any computer and it will work fine.

Any version of the disc will install on any machine yes. You can even use a retail disc on an SLIC equipped system if you install the certificate and enter the key it will switch to offline activation mode.

But if you have a license from some one like dell, which uses SLP (System Locked Preinstallation) it will not activate on a none OEM system.

[Jonj1611]

If you do a clean install with the upgrade disc(or download) it only asks for the previous os's disc or looks for an installation on the partition. Thats all that it needs, you dont need to install the OEM version first onto the OP's new build so whether OEM versions activate on non specific equipment is beside the point, the point is that an upgrade version will work on any system.

Jon

[jim]

errmm... actually he's right in a way, an "OEM OEM" disc, eg a branded disc that comes with a Dell or Hewlett-Packard PC, is BIOS-locked to their own hardware (where it will activate automatically without user intervention), and it probably won't work anywhere else. I gather people have had success in certain circumstances, but it shouldn't be relied on.

On the other hand, a "generic" OEM disc that you get with a vanilla system builder's kit *will* work with any hardware.

I'm not sure what the OP has, but I suspect from his post he's a home builder, so it's probably the generic version (in which case it should work OK, leaving aside licensing issues).

As I understand it, that was the deal with XP and Vista, but no longer true with 7.

Besides, OEM in this case was referring to Windows OEM, not HP Windows OEM.

[BigYoSpeck]

As I understand it, that was the deal with XP and Vista, but no longer true with 7.

Besides, OEM in this case was referring to Windows OEM, not HP Windows OEM.

The typical disc that comes with your dells and hp's is usually a restore disk that just reverts back to factory specs. You are right a full dvd copy of it though will install on any system, even any version of Windows if you edit the image to remove the efi.cfg file.

Where you fall down moving from an OEM machine to an upgraded system though is like I said with the licensing. An OEM system activates offline with SLP via combination of the BIOS SLIC table, OEM certificate and Windows key. If that's the type of license the OP has it won't work on anything other than the original motherboard.

[this_is_gav]

As I understand it, that was the deal with XP and Vista, but no longer true with 7.

Can't speak for 7 (or remember XP), but a Dell Vista DVD was just a standard Microsoft Vista disk with different artwork, and they worked with every system I used them with, not just our Dells.

I think all the Windows 7 systems I've set up have come with recovery partitions (which instantly got wiped of course).

[Doherz]

Sorry for the really late reply, I've been busy with coursework and revision for mid semester exams.

To clarify, I'm a home builder who bought an OEM copy of windows from scan because I was cash strapped.

I understand that I should technically be able to install on any machine with the disc, I just don't fancy running into licensing problems.

If I upgrade my motherboard I'd like to sort out my OS situation with as little expense as possible that's all. If it means I need a new retail license for 7, thats fair enough. I just need to know because money is an issue being a student so I need to know all the costs involved before I go for an upgrade.

Thanks for all the help so far guys and I'm sorry for not clarifying my situation properly.