Vista - Is Windows VISTA -->OEM<-- ONLY for manufacturers?

....or is it also for users, who don't run a comapny?

I have bought a Windows VISTA DVD and when I received it, it had "OEM System
Builder Pack" written on it.

It also says: "EXCLUSIVELY for system builders."

And after some research on the Wikipedia I see that COMPANIES that sell PCs
normally buy OEM licenced software.

I gues users should buy a "retail" version. (NOT OEM versions)

Am I right?

Or is it OK to install it?

Because Wikipedia says the requirements are:"The requirements include:
automated methods of installation of the product; customization of the
installation to identify the OEM; first level technical support of the
product..etc."
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Origina...t_manufacturer)

I want to install it because there's NO 64-bit Vista Ultimate in my
language...excepting this OEM version. But I don't know what the consequences
might be...(I mean, I can't add info about customer support, my company's
name, etc....Because I'm just a user, not a manufacturer!)

"Nijmegen" <Nijmegen@xxxxxx> wrote in message
news:3EF75FBD-1F93-46B3-9272-308CF6419B00@xxxxxxYou can install it.. but.. you should be able to get the 64 bit ultimate DVD
and download the language pack, it must exist if its on the OEM version. I
suggest you check, if so you can return the OEM one and spend the cash on
something else.

It is OK for you to install an OEM version and/or a Retail version.

The difference between them is that the OEM version is tied to the computer
that it is 1st installed on; whereas with the Retail Version, it can be
transferred to another computer if the 1st comp dies!

Also, with OEM versions, there is no support from microsoft.
Any probs(like stuff posted here), you have to solve yourself, or come here,
When you think about it, just WHAT support does anybody get from MS or Dell,
HP, etc, lol.
--
Mick Murphy - Qld - Australia


"Nijmegen" wrote:

"Nijmegen" <Nijmegen@xxxxxx> wrote in message
news:3EF75FBD-1F93-46B3-9272-308CF6419B00@xxxxxxNijmegen,
I'm not an attorney, MVP or Microsoft employee and as such I am not
familiar with the legalese of System Builder OEM licenses.
I do know that OEM licenses are for sale on many websites as a
standalone product but I don't know if the versions being sold are "System
Builder" copies. It's my understanding that "System Builder" OEM licenses
are to be sold as part of and already installed on a machine when offered
for sale. Of course, I could be wrong.
When you purchase a computer with a Microsoft Windows OS preinstalled
you are receiving an OEM copy of Windows, which is much cheaper than the
retail edition and as such can only be used on the computer it came
preinstalled on. It cannot be transferred to another machine regardless of
the reason. It is tied to the motherboard of the machine it came with.
However, you can replace many hardware components of the original machine
and reactivate the license, provided Microsoft decides that you haven't
replaced so many hardware components that you in effect have created a "new"
computer. The decision is made by Microsoft.
My advice is to purchase a retail license if you decide to do an
upgrade as a retail license can be used on any computer you desire so long
as it is used on only one machine at a time. There is no time limit on the
license. When you purchase a retail Windows OS the support for the product
is provided by Microsoft, but only for a short period. When you purchase a
computer with an OEM edition of Windows preinstalled the support for the OS
is provided by the computer vendor and in most cases is for the length of
your warranty period on the computer. If you purchase a computer with the
OEM Windows OS preinstalled, and then decide to do a retail upgrade
(purchased from another company) during the warranty period, you may or may
not void the computer warranty. At the very least, you will not receive any
support from the computer vendor for the upgraded OS. If you purchase and
install a retail Windows OS upgrade from the computer vendor during the
warranty period you may or may not void the warranty and/or receive support
from them for the upgraded OS. You would have to contact the computer vendor
prior to purchasing the retail upgrade to determine your rights. The same
applies for an OEM upgrade purchased from the computer vendor to be used on
the vendor's computer that was sold to you. If your computer is still under
warranty, always check with the vendor prior to purchasing another OS to be
used on the computer.
You did not state whether this OEM "System Builder" OS is to be used on
an existing machine that already has a Windows OS installed on it or if it
is to be used on a new computer you purchased that currently has no OS
installed on it or if you built a new computer yourself and wish to install
its first OS.
If you are going to install Vista on a computer you have had for some
time, chances are you don't have the necessary hardware to properly run
Vista. In this case, you may end up paying more for the necessary hardware
than you would pay for a new, Vista capable computer. Keep in mind that a
computer that is capable of running Vista Home basic may not be capable of
running the other editions of Vista effectively.
I'm certain you will receive more relevant answers from more
knowledgeable people once they have read your post.

C.B.


--
It is the responsibility and duty of everyone to help the underprivileged
and unfortunate among us.

I use OEM software whenever I build a new computer for myself or someone
else.
If you are building your own, no problem.
One drawback to OEM software is that MS provides no support.
I don't need it, so I don't worry about it.
The other thing with OEM software is that it is tied to the first machine it
is installed on and you can not (legally) use it on another system.
If you are trying to upgrade your machine from another OS to Vista, you
should get an upgrade version not an OEM version.
I do not believe an OEM disk will allow an upgrade, only a clean install or
dual boot setup.

--
A Professional Amateur...If anyone knew it all, none of would be here!
CarGodZeroOne@xxxxxx
Change Alpha to Numeric to reply

"Nijmegen" <Nijmegen@xxxxxx> wrote in message
news:3EF75FBD-1F93-46B3-9272-308CF6419B00@xxxxxx

"Not Me" <cargodZeroOne@xxxxxx> wrote in message
news:3EAF3E8E-8F6D-4A5E-B81F-D3D382125922@xxxxxxI keep reading this but I'm wondering just how far you have to go before
it's "another system."

I had a computer I'd built a couple of years back and installed Vista
Ultimate OEM on it around the beginning of 2007.

During the summer of '07, I replace the motherboard, video and DVD drive.
Fired up and let Vista figure out the changes. Afterwards it said I needed
to activate, which I'd expected. I called them up, told them what I'd done.
They asked if I had another copy of Vista from this DVD running on another
computer, and I said "no." They phrased the question a different way, and I
still said "no." Next thing I know, he's giving me a new activation (or
whatever it is) number.

In the sense that it's the same powers supply, case, and hard drive, I
suppose it's the same computer.

What I wonder is, just how far could I have gone with replacing things
before they'd have given me a hard time about it? Or if they would? The
only thing he seemed concerned about was whether there was another instance
of Vista FROM THAT DVD running on another computer anywhere.

So, as a practical matter, how far can you go before they tell you you've
got to get a new license?

- Bill

On Tue, 20 May 2008 18:29:52 -0400, "Bill Leary" <Bill_Leary@xxxxxx>
wrote:
Quite far. Windows doesn't track ALL of your hardware. If you say
you replaced the mainboard, you'll be fine.

Essentially there is no practical limit. The license specifies only that you
can install a single installation to a device. The "device" itself is not
specified as any particular piece of hardware, so if you swap out parts for
newer ones on occasion you will be able to reactive (by phone generally,
which can be time consuming) as long as you don't install with that license
to a second system. There's a lot of leeway built into it when it comes to
the definition of it being the same system.

The intent of the OEM license is that it is tied to the original hardware it
is installed and activated on, but in practice it doesn't hold up quite like
that. More important is the support aspect, as it falls to the system
builder and not Microsoft. In the case of someone purchasing and installing
an OEM license copy, it means they are responsible for their own support.
The price difference is due in part to this fact, as Microsoft does not have
to incorporate potential support costs into it.

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP
http://mvp.support.microsoft.com/
Windows help - www.rickrogers.org
My thoughts http://rick-mvp.blogspot.com

"Bill Leary" <Bill_Leary@xxxxxx> wrote in message
news:8912B753-CE57-4E3E-9ABC-98259A80140C@xxxxxx

The answer is: USERS (not manufacturers) should get the RETAIL version, since
you CAN'T reinstall the OEM version on another motherboard!

Here's the reply of a Microsoft employee:
_______________________________________________________________________

Hello,

Thanks for your interest in OEM licensing. We realize that our licensing is
often confusing and let us try to help clarify this issue.

An upgrade or replacement of the motherboard is considered to result in a
"new personal computer" to which Microsoft® OEM operating system software
cannot be transferred from another computer. If the motherboard is upgraded
or replaced, then a new computer has been created and the license of new
operating system software is required.

If the motherboard is replaced because it is defective, you do NOT need to
acquire a new operating system license for the PC. The replacement
motherboard must be the same make/model or the same manufacturer’s
replacement/equivalent, as defined by that manufacturer’s warranty.

The reason for this licensing rule primarily relates to the end-user license
agreement (EULA) and the support of the software covered by that EULA. The
EULA is a set of usage rights granted to the end-user by the PC manufacturer
and relates only to rights for that software as installed on that particular
PC. The System Builder is required to support the software on that individual
PC. Understanding that end users, over time, upgrade their PC with different
components, Microsoft needed to have one base component "left standing" that
would still define that original PC. Since the motherboard contains the CPU
and is the "heart and soul" of the PC, when the motherboard is replaced (for
reasons other than defect replaced under warranty) a new PC is essentially
created. The original System Builder, therefore, cannot be expected to
support this new PC that they in effect, did not manufacture.

We hope this helps clarify why we have this licensing rule. For more
information on System Builder licensing please see
http://oem.microsoft.com/licensing_main.

Thank you,

Microsoft OEM Internet Business Support

http://oem.microsoft.com
_________________________________________________________


"Nijmegen" wrote:

Mick Murphy wrote:I have transferred my OEM copy of Windows to a new Motherboard with all
other components being the same. All that happened was I lost all my
data on my Hard Drive. Had no problems with Microsoft.