Well, except for the fact that it's illegal to purchase an OEM version, unless you also purchase some of the original computer in which it was installed. OEM means Original Equipment Manufacturer and the license states it cannot be installed on any other system, other than the one it was originally installed on. However, hackers have gotten around that license by also selling a memory chip or something from the original system...whether it works or not. And that does meet the requirements if you stick that in your system (or at least purchase it with the software....stupid, but it works to get around the illegal issue). So make sure you also buy PART of the original PC. Other than that...know that OEM versions are specifically made for their own systems. So if, for instance, you plan to install a Dell OEM version on a Micron...there may be problems that will not allow it to work properly...or not without some special tweaks. Those versions have been specially programmed to work with the original PC and any other special runtime splash screen, custom setting, etc. If the new system doesn't have those settings/files...you can get errors. Finally, anyone sleazy enough to sell their OEM version is not someone I'd want to purchase anything from. Dian D. Chapman Technical Consultant, Microsoft MVP & Instructor Free Tutorials: www.mousetrax.com/techtrax Free Word Tips & Tricks eBook: www.mousetrax.com/books.html Learn VBA the easy way, thru video! www.mousetrax.com/techcourses.html -----Original Message----- From: mso-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:mso-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of CEB Sent: Saturday, September 27, 2003 11:07 AM To: mso@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Subject: [mso] Office 2000 - OEM Hi There, I am considering buying MS Office 2000 - OEM version and I wondered if anyone has any experience with OEM software purchases. I know that MS will not support it for me as an individual so I'd have to rely on someone else for assistance -- Hey, like this MSO group for instance!!! *smile*. I wondered if there were any other "requirements" or restrictions. Any help would be appreciated. Chuck ************************************************************* You are receiving this mail because you subscribed to mso@xxxxxxxxxxxxx or MicrosoftOffice@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx To send mail to the group, simply address it to mso@xxxxxxxxxxxxx To Unsubscribe from this group, send an email to mso-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with the word "unsubscribe" (without the quotes) in the subject line. Or, visit the group's homepage and use the dropdown menu. This will also allow you to change your email settings to digest or vacation (no mail). //www.freelists.org/webpage/mso To be able to use the files section for sharing files with the group, send a request to mso-moderators@xxxxxxxxxxxxx and you will be sent an invitation with instructions. Once you are a member of the files group, you can go here to upload/download files: http://www.smartgroups.com/vault/msofiles ************************************************************* ************************************************************* You are receiving this mail because you subscribed to mso@xxxxxxxxxxxxx or MicrosoftOffice@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx To send mail to the group, simply address it to mso@xxxxxxxxxxxxx To Unsubscribe from this group, send an email to mso-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with the word "unsubscribe" (without the quotes) in the subject line. Or, visit the group's homepage and use the dropdown menu. This will also allow you to change your email settings to digest or vacation (no mail). //www.freelists.org/webpage/mso To be able to use the files section for sharing files with the group, send a request to mso-moderators@xxxxxxxxxxxxx and you will be sent an invitation with instructions. Once you are a member of the files group, you can go here to upload/download files: http://www.smartgroups.com/vault/msofiles *************************************************************