Difference between oem and retail os.

[directhex]

can u install the retail version on various different pc's?

the retail license applies only to a single machine - but is transferable, meaning you can install it on a new pc as long as you wipe the disk of the old one

i think microsoft are planning a family pack license for multiple pcs, if you order from their recently-announced online ordering things (apple have done this for mac os x for a while)

edit: aha! http://windowsvistablog.com/blogs/wi...nts-today.aspx
online ordering, and $49.99 per home premium license if you buy ultimate retail (upgrade or full retail but not oem)

[this_is_gav]

i think microsoft are planning a family pack license for multiple pcs, if you order from their recently-announced online ordering things (apple have done this for mac os x for a while)

edit: aha! http://windowsvistablog.com/blogs/wi...nts-today.aspx
online ordering, and $49.99 per home premium license if you buy ultimate retail (upgrade or full retail but not oem)

Which is only for the US and Canada

[j.o.s.h.1408]

which persuades me to stick to fingers up on vista.

for 350 pounds i expect it to have the ability to install in has much pc's as i wish.

350 for each pc at home? LOL microsoft must think were all rich and desperate for vista

[directhex]

which persuades me to stick to fingers up on vista.

for 350 pounds i expect it to have the ability to install in has much pc's as i wish.

350 for each pc at home? LOL microsoft must think were all rich and desperate for vista

you can use an upgrade license if they have windows already

and why do you need ultimate on every machine?

hell, they even have a mechanism in place which lets you buy home premium (the first usable system) then pay a small upgrade fee to move up to a better version if & only if you find you need functionality (such as bitlocker, or windows server domains)

[dangel]

Here's some _real world_ experience of using an OEM copy on two difference PCs (not at the same time of course) and not that MS' reponse to this guy in in line with my own experience:

http://www.pcper.com/article.php?aid...e=expert&pid=4

Again, at the end of the day, it's up to MS - it's their EULA and their product.

EDIT: sorry he's updated it saying he's reactivated 3 times now.

[merdat]

So is it the opinion the OEM is the way to go!. If that chap managed to get 3 machine activated ( not at the same time ) with a phone call then then surely one could change a motherboard using the same route.??

[directhex]

So is it the opinion the OEM is the way to go!. If that chap managed to get 3 machine activated ( not at the same time ) with a phone call then then surely one could change a motherboard using the same route.??

one could, yes.

assuming you're happy to rely on getting an indian call center operative who couldn't care less about the actual license content

[dangel]

one could, yes.

assuming you're happy to rely on getting an indian call center operative who couldn't care less about the actual license content

Yawn..

Again, at the end of the day, it's up to MS - it's their EULA and their product.

[charleski]

So to sum-up the current situation:

Full retail: wildly overpriced
Upgrade: completely fubar
OEM: cheap, and it looks like MS is operating the same inconsistent policy towards reactivation that they do with XP at present

What a mess.

[Gibbo]

I am on my second motherboard on the current OEM licence. I have never had to reactivate on the phone. I started XP with an Asus A7V mobo and XP2100, then got an Asus P5LD2 and P4 640 3.2 and now I am just about to swap the motherboard again to a Asus P5WDH and a E6600 cpu......I'm not even planning to re-install XP on this swap, just change the mobo drivers!!!

I hope I'm not about to screw everyhting up completely.

Am I mad?