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Comment: +1 |   |
OEM's don't come with any technical support from the manufacture. They cost less and you are supposed to purchase some type of hardware as well when you purchase OEM software. You don't get a fancy retail box but besides all that, it is the same software. My copy of XP Pro is OEM. It was less than half the cost of the retail version but works just the same.
KTTD
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To add to what Kevin said...
There is no "full manual" included either. But then again...how many people actually use the OS manual in the first place?
-=Bryan=-
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To add one more thing to Kevin's post (lol), now that I read it again.
OEM software DOES come with support from the manufacturer. That is the idea. True of course, unless you purchase the OEM software and put it on the computer yourself. Then you are considered to be the system manufacturer and must then turn to yourself for support. ;)
It's better to say that the OEM version doesn't come with support from Microsoft. They won't give the time of day except to tell you "Contact your system manufacturer."
Hope that helps clarify things a little more.
-=Bryan=-
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Bryan,
The reason I said manufacture is because it is not stated if he is talking about Microsoft. Now one could "assume" that he is but you know where "assuming" can get one these days. There are other companies that do produce OEM software so I went with the generic term.
KTTD
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If you install an OEM version of Microsoft Windows code onto the hard disk drive of a PC, then you must:
preinstall the software using the OEM Preinstallation Kit ("OPK") supplied as part of the Multi-Pack;
affix the Certificate Of Authenticity label supplied with that Microsoft Windows progam as part of the Multi-Pack to the PC chassis; and
supply the PC with all associated components, media and documentation forming part of the Software Unit for the Microsoft Windows program, including:
-Original Media/Disks
-End User License Agreement (EULA): Depending on the product, the EULA may be provided in hard copy or online as a part of the initial boot up process.
-all other documentation, including any user manuals supplied as part of the Software Unit.You must not sell, distribute, copy or modify the OPK disk or instructions.
OEM versions of Microsoft Windows may be sold with a non-peripheral piece of computer hardware. A non-peripheral hardware component is essential to running a PC, and includes components such as memory, internal drives, mice, keyboards, power supplies/cords, and internal devices. Examples of components that are not considered essential are scanners, printers, cameras, and external modems/networking devices.
The EULA for OEM versions of Microsoft Windows provides that the License cannot be transferred to a different PC. If a customer brings in their own OEM Windows CD from an existing PC, you must not install that program on a new PC, as the software is not licensed for use on a new PC . OEM Windows licenses are granted only for the life of the PC on which the program was originally installed. Retail Windows license can be transferred from one PC to another in accordance with the terms of the EULA.
The only version of Microsoft OEM operating systems to have downgrade rights is Windows XP Professional. In accordance with the EULA, this downgrade right allows a purchaser of Windows XP Professional to use an earlier version of Microsoft Windows. For example, a customer acquires an OEM Windows XP Pro license with a new PC. This customer can remove Windows XP Pro and install an earlier version of Windows - under the EULA the customer is licensed to run the earlier version of Windows.
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OK, now I'm confused. If I install XP Pro(Full) OEM:
- I can only ever install it on one computer? How many new parts does it take to consider it a "new PC"?
- I am also licenced to run Win 98, in a dual-boot situation? Currently I own Windows 98, which is on an OEM "recovery-disk" from Compaq.
- Can I upgrade to Win XP Pro at all from my current Compaq version of Win 98? Or do I have to buy the full?
- When you say Microsoft doesn't support it, does this mean that they will under no circumstances support it, or just that I will have to pay for support separately? And what kind of support comes with the retail?
Optimally, I'd like to have my new (currently formatted, 2 partitions) system dual-boot Win 98 and Win XP Pro. I want everything fully licenced, and I don't care about support. What is the cheapest way?
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Geees, I never thought I'd get such a detailed response.
Thanks for all the info guys. You've all answered the thrust of my query & that is, there's no difference between the OEM & retail cd's themselves.
Now another question: if Windows Xp is supposed to have severed ties with DOS altogether, then how is that possible with a Windows XP Upgrade given that the previous versions are "DOS-tied"?
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There is no difference between the actual CD's...you're correct.
DOS is basically eliminated. The command prompt is still there, from which the majority of the DOS commands can be run, but it's not true DOS as you used to know it.
-=Bryan=-
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