Henry Jones

Once you have the OEM version you can come to these public groups and
probably get your answer for free!


"SAM-R" <SAM-R@news.postalias> wrote in message
news:eovdQqJRHHA.2252@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl...
> The main reason Vista OEM costs so much less that retail is MS does not
> support OEM. If you buy OEM and have a problem and contact MS for help,
> you will be told to contact the OEM or pay MS for support and MS support
> is not cheap.
>
> "MICHAEL" <u158627_emr@dslr.net> wrote in message
> news:%23MVvFFHRHHA.4476@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl...
>> To me, this is important enough to post in its entirety.
>>
>> While I can not find an "official" link from Microsoft-
>> PCMag is a reputable source.
>>
>> http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,1759,2087792,00.asp
>>
>> By Mark Hachman
>>
>> A Microsoft representative confirmed that users may buy an OEM copy of
>> Windows Vista at a substantial discount, provided they adhere to the
>> terms of the license - which, incidentally, may mean providing support
>> for family members.
>>
>> In addition, users should still be subject to the same familiar
>> re-activation restrictions as users of a retail Vista license and Windows
>> XP, a spokeswoman said. Users can alter the PC's hardware substantially,
>> but they will be forced to reactivate - not repurchase the OEM software -
>> if they do, she said.
>> One system builder pointed out, however, that Microsoft's OEM license
>> forbids the software from being transferred to a whole new machine, from
>> scratch, once it is installed on the original target machine.
>>
>> OEM copies of Vista began showing up this week at e-tailers like
>> Newegg.com, for substantial discounts, which can run up to half off the
>> price of a standalone retail copy of Microsoft's Windows Vista operating
>> system. Microsoft is also offering its own in-house discounts, in the
>> form of a Vista Family Pack, which allows the purchase of up to two
>> copies of Vista Home Premium for $49.99, provided that a customer buy
>> Windows Vista Ultimate at full price, through retail.
>>
>> For those who don't need a full manual, however, the Windows Vista OEM
>> versions offer substantial savings. Normally, such versions are
>> restricted to "System Builders," not large corporations purchasing
>> thousands or even hundreds of copies of the operating systems through
>> Microsoft's volume licensing programs, but small mom-and-pop computer
>> shops building individual systems for local communities. The license is
>> agreed to when the shrink-wrap the package is sealed into is broken.
>>
>> "System Builder software is designed for OEM system builders, and
>> specifically for pre-installation on new PCs," said Elissa Brown, a
>> Microsoft spokeswoman, via an email. "So, this software isn't really
>> intended to be installed by end-users. OEM versions of Windows Vista that
>> are delivered through the System Builder channel are licensed via a
>> 'break-the-seal' model (in other words, the System Builder License on the
>> outside of the software package is agreed-upon when the package is
>> opened)."
>>
>> Although retailers like Newegg have typically been prohibited from
>> providing the software without accompanying hardware, Brown said this
>> wasn't true. Readers of PC Magazine and dl.tv report that Newegg has
>> continued its practice of bundling a token hardware component - drive
>> cables, case screws or other knickknacks - as a way to offload any legal
>> obligation.
>>
>> "As long as Newegg is distributing the System Builder version of Windows
>> Vista in an unopened package with the System Builder License adhered to
>> the outside of the package, Newegg is not responsible for offering end
>> user support," Brown said. "The party who opens the package (thus
>> accepting the System Builder License) is required to offer end user
>> support."
>>
>> More specifically, "the system builder must place its support phone
>> number in a noticeable location in the fully assembled computer system
>> help files or end-user documentation," according to the terms of a
>> publicly posted System Builder license posted to Microsoft's Web site.
>> That version of the license does not specifically mention Windows Vista,
>> however.
>>
>> The OEM version of the Vista versions lacks a manual, but includes a
>> "Quick Start" installation guide, Brown said. The Vista OEM versions will
>> allow a user either to do a fresh installation, or to upgrade their
>> previous Windows XP installation, she said.
>>
>> As for activation, Brown said users could expect a return to the familiar
>> activation scenario. Windows Vista, like XP, contains an electronic list
>> of the components within the PC, which it turns into a code, or hash. If
>> a user adds or subtracts too many components, the hash will change enough
>> that it will signal the need for another activation, which can be done
>> either online or via telephone.
>>
>> Vista, however, will apparently be a bit more tolerant of the DIY
>> community: "Windows Vista is more intelligent and a bit more lenient than
>> Windows XP around hardware tolerance," Brown said. She referred questions
>> to Microsoft's Windows Activation Web page, which does not address
>> Windows Vista.
>>
>> In Windows XP, the software looked at ten hardware attributes to create
>> the hash: the display adapter, the SCSI adapter, the IDE adapter, the
>> network adapter and its MAC address, a "RAM amount range" (0-64 Mbytes,
>> 64-128 Mbytes, etc.), the processor type, the processor serial number,
>> the hard drive device, the hard drive volume serial number and the
>> CD-ROM/CD-RW/DVD-ROM.
>>
>> "Specifically, product activation determines tolerance through a voting
>> mechanism," the XP Activation FAQ says. "There are 10 hardware
>> characteristics used in creating the hardware hash. Each characteristic
>> is worth one vote, except the network card which is worth three votes.
>> When thinking of tolerance, it's easiest to think about what has not
>> changed instead of what has changed. When the current hardware hash is
>> compared to the original hardware hash, there must be 7 or more matching
>> points for the two hardware hashes to be considered in tolerance."
>>
>> One reader, who identified himself as a system builder in an email, said
>> he felt that receiving an activation code was not the same as adhering to
>> the terms of the OEM license.
>>
>> "Even though you can phone an activation rep overseas to activate the
>> software you're violating the EULA and committing piracy," said the
>> builder, who posted a similar note in the discussion forums attached to
>> this story.
>>
>> "It's important that people understand the OEM EULA when it says that
>> your OEM Vista (XP is the same) can not be transferred to a new computer,
>> and a new (upgraded) motherboard is also considered a new computer," the
>> system builder added. "I've activated hundreds of PCs over the years and
>> have never had an activation rep ask if I am transferring the OEM
>> software to a new PC. The only question that you must answer correctly
>> (no) in order to receive the activation code is: "Is this version of
>> Windows on more than one PC?". Therefore the end user assumes that since
>> they received an activation code they must be legal." Editor's Note: This
>> story was updated at 9:20 AM EDT on Jan. 29 with comments from a reader.
>>
>>
>>
>> http://discuss.pcmag.com/forums/1004.../ShowPost.aspx
>>
>> Q. Can my customers transfer or sell their OEM software licenses?
>>
>> A. After an OEM software license has been installed on a PC, the license
>> may not be installed on or transferred to another PC. However, the entire
>> PC may be transferred to another end user along with the software license
>> rights. When transferring the PC to the new end user the software media,
>> manuals (if applicable) and certificate of authenticity label must be
>> included. It is also advisable to include the original purchase invoice
>> or receipt. The original end user cannot keep any copies of the software.
>>
>> The end user license agreement (EULA) is granted to the end user by the
>> System Builder and relates to the license on the PC with which it was
>> originally distributed. Because the System Builder is required to support
>> the license on that original PC, a System Builder can not support a
>> license that has been moved from a PC they manufactured to one that they
>> did not. This is one of the key reasons why an OEM System Builder license
>> can't be transferred. For more information, click here.
>>
>> Q. My customer bought a new PC and wants to move their OEM software from
>> the old PC to the new one. Can't they do whatever they want with the
>> software?
>>
>> A. The OEM software is licensed with the computer system on which it was
>> originally installed and is tied to that original machine. OEM licenses
>> are single-use licenses that cannot be installed on more than one
>> computer system even if the original machine is no longer in use. The end
>> user license agreement (EULA) accepted by the customer before they use
>> the software, states that the license may not be shared, transferred to
>> or used concurrently on different computers. The System Builder is
>> required to provide end-user support for the Windows license. A System
>> Builder can not support a license that has been moved from a PC they
>> manufactured to one that they did not - this is a fundamental reason why
>> OEM System Builder licenses can't be transferred.
>>
>>
>