-=PCTechTalk=- Re: Windows XP Pro OEM vs. Retail?
- From: "T. Hunt" <ilrover@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: pctechtalk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Mon, 19 Jan 2004 23:35:33 -0500
Bob-
The OEM operating system is called an OEM because of its license, not
because it differs from a Retail version. OEM licenses can be sold by
anyone who purchases the software legally. If you are an authorized
Microsoft Reseller, you can purchase the licenses in bulk without having to
purchase hardware. If you're NOT an authorized reseller, you must purchase
the XP license with hardware. It is assumed that the OEM license will be
installed on a machine that incorporates the purchased hardware. Once that
is done, the OS cannot be moved to another machine or resold to another
person, except that it is sold as part of a "system"; that "system" being
the original hardware and the software installed thereon. IOW, once the XP
operating system is installed on a particular machine, it becomes part of
that machine and the two, software and hardware, become one; a "system"
that cannot be separated, ever. If the machine dies, you have to buy a new
license for the Windows XP.
A Retail version of the same operating system, ie Windows XP, is NOT
required to be sold to Authorized Microsoft Resellers or be sold with
hardware. It can be sold in retail outlets to anyone as a stand-alone
product. It can be installed on a machine and then removed and installed
on another machine. It is NOT tied in any way to any hardware.
The support options are also different. OEM versions are supported by the
people who sell the complete machine with XP installed or by the person or
company that sells the software/hardware bundle. Sometimes these
people/companies provide poor or non-existent support. That is their
right, as far as Microsoft is concerned. The only stipulation with OEM
versions is that Microsoft does NOT provide any support.
Microsoft DOES provide support for the Retail versions of XP. If you have
questions about how XP works, errors, crashes, problems, etc. and you
purchased a Retail version, instructions for calling Microsoft will be
included.
Microsoft provides patches, updates and fixes for XP, regardless of the
version, OEM or retail.
Computers from companies like HP, Dell and eMachines with restore CD's use
a highly customized version of the OEM software. But the operating system
still contains everything that comes in the retail version. The larger
companies brand the components, like the desktop background and the IE
browser and litter the desktop with icons. They may also bundle other
software with the system, but they cannot delete anything in XP from the
start. They may not install certain components but they're still available
if you know where to look.
And it doesn't matter whether you agree with me or not. All this
information is available at www.microsoft.com.
And you might do a little reading up on WPA. Many of the points you raise
in your 1st paragraph are addressed in any discussion of WPA. However, as
regards "asking around", don't waste your time. Go to the above website
and read what they say. Since its Microsoft's website, they probably know best.
HTH Tom
At 02:40 PM 1/19/2004 -0600, you wrote:
Hi
First let me say again, I am not sure of the particulars concerning XP
OEM's.gs
>I am not in complete agreement with Tom Hunt about the OEM's. In the PAST.
>(95 and 98's). OEM's, complete packages, are sold to companies, in bulk,
>like Dell, Gateway, HP for them to install on their own manufactured puters.
>I THINK they were also sold to privately owned computer places for
>installation on puters they build. I don't think back then that recording
>which OEM that went on which machine by which company and reporting the same
>was strictly followed or even required. I assume by the serial number on the
>OS disk, Microsoft could determine who they sold the OEM to. With those you
>did not have to call Microsoft to complete the installation. Thus the big
>difference now. If Tom, or anyone else is sure that the XP OEM's have to go
>with a particular machine and only that machine, then I will have to default
>to their knowledge. This does raise the question of what if you have XP
>installed on your machine and what would Microsoft have to say if you
>replaced, upgraded a CPU, motherboard and/or HD. It also raises the question
>what part or if all are considered "THE PUTER" by Microsoft concerning XP. I
>do not know the answers to these questions. Intuitively, I find it hard, but
>not impossible to believe that if you replaced or upgraded a particular part
>on your machine that Microsoft would require you to purchase another XP OS
>because they deem that part, as the part to determine if you are installing
>the OS on a DIFFERENT machine, thus having the same OS installed on two
>different machines. Hope this makes since.
>
>This issue and others would seem to me to have an factor in your decision to
>buy an OEM or an over the counter sealed box XP OS. It is my understanding
>that even with an over the counter full version of XP, Microsoft will not
>ask to many questions about reinstalling the OS for the first few times and
>with in a standard time period (what ever that may be) providing you have a
>legitimate reason for the reinstall. However, if you call too many times or
>in short periods of time, Microsoft will start asking the tough questions.
>
>I do not know what else is or would be required to be considered a
>legitimate purchase of a legitimate XP OEM OS. I suggest you query different
>sellers and compare answers and their ads and the different ad's verbiage.
>You might want to confine your purchase from privately owned computer
>dealers that are selling them on eBay with a massive amount of feedback.
>Some are happy to help you in learning and/or making the decision process.
>
>Is this key code that comes with the purchase of the OEM the only code you
>need to install the OEM? In other words, you do not have to call Microsoft
>to finalize the installation and have it run?
>
>Another suggestion, go into eBay and research other sellers of XP OEM OS
>that have completed sales in the recent past and email the buyers, if
>possible, and ask them if they have had any trouble with Microsoft and/or
>about installing the OS.
>
>Life is what happens in between plans.
>
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>----- Original Message -----
>From: "Randy H" <ralehi@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
>To: <pctechtalk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
>Sent: Monday, January 19, 2004 12:48 PM
>Subject: -=PCTechTalk=- Re: Windows XP Pro OEM vs. Retail?
>
>
> > Hi Bob,
> > The OEM version has the COA and an unregistered Key Code it also comes
>with
> > a piece of hardware to satisfy MicroSoft. Is there any other differences?
> > Thanks for the reply.
> > Randy
>
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