There's quite a major discussion going on over at a forum I am a memeber of
about the rights of users with OEM copies of the software.

We are all aware of the support limitations the OEM software brings, but we
are unsure of the license transfer rights we have. Are we allowed to transfer
the license from one device to another, as with the retail version, or is it
tied to that device?

There are other questions too. The OEM version ships with either 32 or 64
bit versions, and not both like the retail. Is this a limitation of the
license, or can the product key be used to install a copy of the other
version if you obtain a copy of the disk?

Are users allowed to switch between 32 and 64 bit versions as they desire
(Retail or OEM), so long as only one version is installed?

I may have more questions later, but if anyone can answer these queries, you
will be a huge help to us.



Thanks.

Hi,

Licensing is a confusing process, and there exists many ongoing arguements
about it. Here are some answers reflecting my current understanding of OEM
licensing as applied to Vista:

> We are all aware of the support limitations the OEM software brings, but
> we
> are unsure of the license transfer rights we have. Are we allowed to
> transfer
> the license from one device to another, as with the retail version, or is
> it
> tied to that device?

Generally no, though it's not hard and fast. Preinstalled OEM versions of
Windows are generally BIOS locked, whereas generic ones are not. Frequently,
you are capable of transferring OEM versions, though the intent of the
license is that you aren't supposed to. This may change with Vista, but no
one knows for sure as the generic OEM versions are not available yet.

> There are other questions too. The OEM version ships with either 32 or 64
> bit versions, and not both like the retail. Is this a limitation of the
> license, or can the product key be used to install a copy of the other
> version if you obtain a copy of the disk?

The product key you purchase should be able to install either version. The
retail disk will only include both disks with Ultimate, others will have an
option to order the 64-bit disk, probably for a small shipping fee. As in
the past, the product keys and retail/OEM disks will not be interchangeable,
your disk must match the type of key.

> Are users allowed to switch between 32 and 64 bit versions as they desire
> (Retail or OEM), so long as only one version is installed?

Yes, regardless of retail/OEM status.

--
Best of Luck,

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

<snip>

"Rick Rogers" <rick@mvps.org> wrote in message
news:%23zwQ0i6PHHA.1380@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl...
> Hi,
>

>
>> Are users allowed to switch between 32 and 64 bit versions as they desire
>> (Retail or OEM), so long as only one version is installed?
>
> Yes, regardless of retail/OEM status.
>
> --
> Best of Luck,
>
> Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP
> http://mvp.support.microsoft.com/
> Windows help - www.rickrogers.org
>
> <snip>


Oh so the oem key works for both 32 and 64bit. I was thinking that the oem
key only worked for the one that you bought. Thats good.

Also is vista oem full versions like xp pro oem is and is not limited to
having to start setup from within an activated xp pro?

If so looks like oem is the way to go for me

Ken

"Ken" <notforu@sothere.com> wrote in message
news:eJSXrw6PHHA.992@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl...
>
>
> Also is vista oem full versions like xp pro oem is and is not limited to
> having to start setup from within an activated xp pro?

Should be, as OEM is designed to be installed on new PCs with no OS.

"Ken" <notforu@sothere.com> wrote in message
news:eJSXrw6PHHA.992@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl...
>
> "Rick Rogers" <rick@mvps.org> wrote in message
> news:%23zwQ0i6PHHA.1380@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl...
>> Hi,
>>
>
>>
>>> Are users allowed to switch between 32 and 64 bit versions as they
>>> desire
>>> (Retail or OEM), so long as only one version is installed?
>>
>> Yes, regardless of retail/OEM status.
>>
>> --
>> Best of Luck,
>>
>> Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP
>> http://mvp.support.microsoft.com/
>> Windows help - www.rickrogers.org
>>
>> <snip>
>
>
> Oh so the oem key works for both 32 and 64bit. I was thinking that the oem
> key only worked for the one that you bought. Thats good.
>
> Also is vista oem full versions like xp pro oem is and is not limited to
> having to start setup from within an activated xp pro?
>
> If so looks like oem is the way to go for me
>
> Ken
>
>


I haven't seen an OEM version of Vista yet but I imagine that like previous
OEM Windows the OEM key will not allow an upgrade but only a clean install.

--
Kerry Brown
Microsoft MVP - Shell/User
http://www.vistahelp.ca

Generic OEM XP discs can do upgrades, I've done it myself

"Kerry Brown" <kerry@kdbNOSPAMsys-tems.c*a*m> wrote in message
news:OA6MBl8PHHA.780@TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl...
>>
>>
>
>
> I haven't seen an OEM version of Vista yet but I imagine that like
> previous OEM Windows the OEM key will not allow an upgrade but only a
> clean install.
>
> --
> Kerry Brown
> Microsoft MVP - Shell/User
> http://www.vistahelp.ca
>
>

The OEM product keys may be platform specific, unlike the retail pk's.

"Rick Rogers" <rick@mvps.org> wrote in message
news:%23zwQ0i6PHHA.1380@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl...
> Hi,
>
> Licensing is a confusing process, and there exists many ongoing arguements
> about it. Here are some answers reflecting my current understanding of OEM
> licensing as applied to Vista:
>
>> We are all aware of the support limitations the OEM software brings, but
>> we
>> are unsure of the license transfer rights we have. Are we allowed to
>> transfer
>> the license from one device to another, as with the retail version, or is
>> it
>> tied to that device?
>
> Generally no, though it's not hard and fast. Preinstalled OEM versions of
> Windows are generally BIOS locked, whereas generic ones are not.
> Frequently, you are capable of transferring OEM versions, though the
> intent of the license is that you aren't supposed to. This may change with
> Vista, but no one knows for sure as the generic OEM versions are not
> available yet.
>
>> There are other questions too. The OEM version ships with either 32 or 64
>> bit versions, and not both like the retail. Is this a limitation of the
>> license, or can the product key be used to install a copy of the other
>> version if you obtain a copy of the disk?
>
> The product key you purchase should be able to install either version. The
> retail disk will only include both disks with Ultimate, others will have
> an option to order the 64-bit disk, probably for a small shipping fee. As
> in the past, the product keys and retail/OEM disks will not be
> interchangeable, your disk must match the type of key.
>
>> Are users allowed to switch between 32 and 64 bit versions as they desire
>> (Retail or OEM), so long as only one version is installed?
>
> Yes, regardless of retail/OEM status.
>
> --
> Best of Luck,
>
> Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP
> http://mvp.support.microsoft.com/
> Windows help - www.rickrogers.org
>
> <snip>

Please do not assume that. Remember that OEM copies are for installation on
a new computer without an OS, so once you have installed x86 you are not
eligible to install x64, and vice versa. Until we have confirmation one way
or the other do not assume that the same product key will work on both OEM
platforms. In any case, it would be an out of compliance usage to install a
second OEM edition on the same computer. That's why system builders like
CyberPower will not preinstall a dual boot setup using OEM editions at the
time you purchase a new computer from them.

"Ken" <notforu@sothere.com> wrote in message
news:eJSXrw6PHHA.992@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl...
>
> "Rick Rogers" <rick@mvps.org> wrote in message
> news:%23zwQ0i6PHHA.1380@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl...
>> Hi,
>>
>
>>
>>> Are users allowed to switch between 32 and 64 bit versions as they
>>> desire
>>> (Retail or OEM), so long as only one version is installed?
>>
>> Yes, regardless of retail/OEM status.
>>
>> --
>> Best of Luck,
>>
>> Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP
>> http://mvp.support.microsoft.com/
>> Windows help - www.rickrogers.org
>>
>> <snip>
>
>
> Oh so the oem key works for both 32 and 64bit. I was thinking that the oem
> key only worked for the one that you bought. Thats good.
>
> Also is vista oem full versions like xp pro oem is and is not limited to
> having to start setup from within an activated xp pro?
>
> If so looks like oem is the way to go for me
>
> Ken
>
>

If you run an OEM edition from a desktop you should get an error message.
Something like, "I'm sorry, Dave, but I can't do that."

"Kerry Brown" <kerry@kdbNOSPAMsys-tems.c*a*m> wrote in message
news:OA6MBl8PHHA.780@TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl...
> "Ken" <notforu@sothere.com> wrote in message
> news:eJSXrw6PHHA.992@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl...
>>
>> "Rick Rogers" <rick@mvps.org> wrote in message
>> news:%23zwQ0i6PHHA.1380@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl...
>>> Hi,
>>>
>>
>>>

"Kerry Brown" <kerry@kdbNOSPAMsys-tems.c*a*m> wrote in message
news:OA6MBl8PHHA.780@TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl...
> "Ken" <notforu@sothere.com> wrote in message
> news:eJSXrw6PHHA.992@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl...
>>
>> "Rick Rogers" <rick@mvps.org> wrote in message
>> news:%23zwQ0i6PHHA.1380@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl...
>>> Hi,
>>>
>>
>>>
>>>> Are users allowed to switch between 32 and 64 bit versions as they
>>>> desire
>>>> (Retail or OEM), so long as only one version is installed?
>>>
>>> Yes, regardless of retail/OEM status.
>>>
>>> --
>>> Best of Luck,
>>>
>>> Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP
>>> http://mvp.support.microsoft.com/
>>> Windows help - www.rickrogers.org
>>>
>>> <snip>
>>
>>
>> Oh so the oem key works for both 32 and 64bit. I was thinking that the
>> oem key only worked for the one that you bought. Thats good.
>>
>> Also is vista oem full versions like xp pro oem is and is not limited to
>> having to start setup from within an activated xp pro?
>>
>> If so looks like oem is the way to go for me
>>
>> Ken
>>
>
> I haven't seen an OEM version of Vista yet but I imagine that like
> previous OEM Windows the OEM key will not allow an upgrade but only a
> clean install.
>
> --
> Kerry Brown
> Microsoft MVP - Shell/User
> http://www.vistahelp.ca


I have installed OEM version of Vista over my Beta RC2 Version 5744.
It give me 3 days for activation or it'll be activated automatically. I
probably
haven't checked out the option of automatic activation.
So far far no problems, but we'll see how it works, when I delete this
trial
installation in a couple of days and install it for good from fresh on
a new
hard drive.

Jdr