Have some query on Retail and OEM Windows.

Happy Singh

Happy Singh

Level D
Hi TE straight to the point- I have some query on Retail and OEM copy of Windows? as per i know:-

1.About OEM:-
OEM are given by Company Manufacturers like HP, Dell and all, the OEM disc has a in-built cd-key i.e it doesn't require any further activation. and OEM versions are not sold in market.
My question on OEM is that is it for limited user?

2. About Retail:-
Retail copy are purchased with a separate CD-key for activation after installing, and are not provided with any of the company manufactures.
My question on retail version is that- In how many PC's can the retail version be installed? does retail version have any expire date like we have in antivirus for 1 year and so on? and how is warranty clam on the retail OS like if the key is not working and some update is creating a issue? like if i am getting a retail version of windows 7 ultimate 64 bit as a gift and i won't have the bill will the serial key support me claiming warranty?

Thanks
 
well, actually the oem version also has the same activation as the retail version. only difference is in the retail version, you can activate the same software any number of times, but with OEM windows, you cant do that.

OEM by defination is bundled with some hardware, though i have seen them being sold in us based sites.

with legal retail version, you will get the certificate of authencity. as far as i know, a single key will work with only the same given hardware unless you have a volume license. activation is there only to take care of the part that you dont end up using the same cd key on 2 different machines. retail versions have no expiry date as such, but if u install on one machine, then that key cannot be used on another machine. but you will be free to install the same copy on the same machine as many times as you want

Happy Singh said:
Hi TE straight to the point- I have some query on Retail and OEM copy of Windows? as per i know:-

1.About OEM:-

OEM are given by Company Manufacturers like HP, Dell and all, the OEM disc has a in-built cd-key i.e it doesn't require any further activation. and OEM versions are not sold in market.

My question on OEM is that is it for limited user?

2. About Retail:-

Retail copy are purchased with a separate CD-key for activation after installing, and are not provided with any of the company manufactures.

My question on retail version is that- In how many PC's can the retail version be installed? does retail version have any expire date like we have in antivirus for 1 year and so on? and how is warranty clam on the retail OS like if the key is not working and some update is creating a issue? like if i am getting a retail version of windows 7 ultimate 64 bit as a gift and i won't have the bill will the serial key support me claiming warranty?

Thanks
Click to expand...
 
^^Whoo then its really bad.:( if i upgrade my PC after a year or two then retail copy of OS will be of no use?:( tell me if some one wanna use a original copy in more than 10-12 PCs like for Non-commercial example in schools then what is the solution? is that volume license will be the solution? and as you said OEM and retail version have same activation but i don't think so:hap5: the OEM just need a installation and it will be activated but retail version have separate key which is used after after installation. OEM doesn't have any key.

@TE keep posting...i am still confused:S:S
 
Happy Singh said:
^^Whoo then its really bad.:( if i upgrade my PC after a year or two then retail copy of OS will be of no use?:( tell me if some one wanna use a original copy in more than 10-12 PCs like for Non-commercial example in schools then what is the solution? is that volume license will be the solution? and as you said OEM and retail version have same activation but i don't think so:hap5: the OEM just need a installation and it will be activated but retail version have separate key which is used after after installation. OEM doesn't have any key.

@TE keep posting...i am still confused:S:S
Click to expand...

OEM versions too will have a key. it is just that they tend to be preactivated, so u dont need to activate it.

How to activate Windows XP

for schools/office, you will get volume license, with academic discount i believe. (schools are technically not non commercial)

check out http://www.microsoft.com/india/licensing/licensing-options/for-industries.aspx#tab=2
 
OEM copies are also sold with serial keys in regular as well as online stores. They are supposed to be sold with newly assembled PCs but we do get it separately. The re installations are supposedly limited. The OEMs with big brands like Dell, HP etc come preinstalled. I have been using XP OEM for about 5 years and have formatted and reinstalled several times with minor upgrades and activation was seamless. Only when the PC was totally upgraded I had to resort to activation through telephonic support.
 
bitsandpieces said:
OEM versions too will have a key. it is just that they tend to be preactivated, so u dont need to activate it.

How to activate Windows XP

for schools/office, you will get volume license, with academic discount i believe. (schools are technically not non commercial)

check out http://www.microsoft.com/india/licensing/licensing-options/for-industries.aspx#tab=2
Click to expand...

thnaks for clearing the doubt so then is volume license is locally available? any idea on its cost?

janitha said:
OEM copies are also sold with serial keys in regular as well as online stores. They are supposed to be sold with newly assembled PCs but we do get it separately. The re installations are supposedly limited. The OEMs with big brands like Dell, HP etc come preinstalled. I have been using XP OEM for about 5 years and have formatted and reinstalled several times with minor upgrades and activation was seamless. Only when the PC was totally upgraded I had to resort to activation through telephonic support.
Click to expand...

thanks for the point but then what is the difference left in buying a retail version if a user can resort the activation OEM version through telephonic support.
 
Happy Singh said:
Hi TE straight to the point- I have some query on Retail and OEM copy of Windows? as per i know:-

1.About OEM:-
OEM are given by Company Manufacturers like HP, Dell and all, the OEM disc has a in-built cd-key i.e it doesn't require any further activation. and OEM versions are not sold in market.
My question on OEM is that is it for limited user?

Thanks
Click to expand...

Yes true in a certain way.

There are 2 type of OEM installations.
OEM:SLP (Stands for System Locked Preinstallation)

OEM:COA or OEM:NONSLP (Stands for Non-System Locked Preinstallation)

the first comes pre installed when you purchase PC's from above Manufacturers which can be activated by Phone like RETAIL ones.

the latter also comes with the same PC's which are required when you reinstall the OS using Original Microsoft Software Discs (which dont have OEM crap softwares with it.)

The Discs used by Dell,Hp etc use the OEM:SLP method

2. About Retail:-
Retail copy are purchased with a separate CD-key for activation after installing, and are not provided with any of the company manufactures.
My question on retail version is that- In how many PC's can the retail version be installed? does retail version have any expire date like we have in antivirus for 1 year and so on? and how is warranty clam on the retail OS like if the key is not working and some update is creating a issue? like if i am getting a retail version of windows 7 ultimate 64 bit as a gift and i won't have the bill will the serial key support me claiming warranty?
Click to expand...
The advantage of RETAIL is that the License is transferable to another computer from the existing one, whereas with OEM:COA and OEM:NONSLP ones it is not possible.

OEM ones are Cheaper (No fancy stuff)and RETAIL ones are costlier(Fancy Box,90 Day support, Manual,etc)

Hope that clears the confusion:)
 
^^ oookk now things are getting little clear:)
1.OEM no use for assembled PC's.
2.Retail are usually used for assembled PC's.

@TE now answer to my this question
For example now i am using AMD rig like any 790gx chipset mobo with any AMD cpu and with any gpu like hd 4890 and using windows 7 ultimate 64bit retail version, and now after few months i am switching to another chipset mobo like 890gx or make it full switch from AMD to Intel setup but gpu will be same. now tell me will that same copy of retail version that i was using in previous AMD rig will work on new Intel setup?
 
Happy Singh said:
^^ oookk now things are getting little clear:)
1.OEM no use for assembled PC's.
2.Retail are usually used for assembled PC's.

@TE now answer to my this question
For example now i am using AMD rig like any 790gx chipset mobo with any AMD cpu and with any gpu like hd 4890 and using windows 7 ultimate 64bit retail version, and now after few months i am switching to another chipset mobo like 890gx or make it full switch from AMD to Intel setup but gpu will be same. now tell me will that same copy of retail version that i was using in previous AMD rig will work on new Intel setup?
Click to expand...

Possible even with OEM! As mentioned earlier, I have been using it for several years and only when the system was almost totally upgraded from AMD to Intel two years back, I had to resort to telephonic support for activation. Even two days back, I have formatted, reinstalled and activated. (both XP and MS Office)
 
^^ then what you guys suggest? should i go for retail version or OEM but i don't think OEM are easily available. and when you resort through telephonic way then what was the charges?

@TE still waiting for the replay of 8th post on retail version, i.e if i switched from full AMD to Intel rig will retail version work? or i also have to resort through telephonic way?
 
Retail Box pack copy works like this, (As I learned from the Win 7 forum)

In the first installation, It automatically activated online by using the check box like 'Automatically activate my copy or something'.

This is the first time your 25char key & your machine unique Hardware ID registered. Now you have upgrade the machine there is no problem unless you change the HDD or Decent Amount of RAM. Then it need to be re-activated.

Now this time it may not silently activated, and pop a screen ask to you activate by phone by listed a number (of course it is an Indian number) top of the page.Now call the number and automatic voice will take care of you & your activation process,maybe here you need to read out your On-screen instruction(probably the CD Key) loud & clear, you need to pen & paper ready to note down the activation code, Some time this automatic voice process failed, don't hung up the phone but stay on call for few sec/min, A Microsoft Employee will take the call and explain him/her what you did (like upgrade,re-format your sys for virus,or built a new machine coz your previous one is destroyed) and eventually gave you the activation code. In this time all info about your machine get handy. This is the extreme process/situation, you won't face this much, the automatic voice will took care everything.

This the whole process you should face when you discard your AMD rig & onboard with new shiny intel rig.

Even I think u can keep your AMD rig with Win7 and activate win7 again in new Intel rig,but don't go online with AMD rig once you activated your intel rig. this way no one can trace you using 2 machine win7 activated.<--- though this my personal assumption,it may not work.
 
if you ask microsoft, they'll say you should buy retail.
but OEM works just as fine. you might just have to contat them once or twice to activate, thats all.
If you need a legit & licenced OS on the cheap, get OEM
If you need to do things 100% right & might use MS support ( free only for the first year) , buy retail
 
dissel said:
Retail Box pack copy works like this, (As I learned from the Win 7 forum)

In the first installation, It automatically activated online by using the check box like 'Automatically activate my copy or something'.

This is the first time your 25char key & your machine unique Hardware ID registered. Now you have upgrade the machine there is no problem unless you change the HDD or Decent Amount of RAM. Then it need to be re-activated.

Now this time it may not silently activated, and pop a screen ask to you activate by phone by listed a number (of course it is an Indian number) top of the page.Now call the number and automatic voice will take care of you & your activation process,maybe here you need to read out your On-screen instruction(probably the CD Key) loud & clear, you need to pen & paper ready to note down the activation code, Some time this automatic voice process failed, don't hung up the phone but stay on call for few sec/min, A Microsoft Employee will take the call and explain him/her what you did (like upgrade,re-format your sys for virus,or built a new machine coz your previous one is destroyed) and eventually gave you the activation code. In this time all info about your machine get handy. This is the extreme process/situation, you won't face this much, the automatic voice will took care everything.

This the whole process you should face when you discard your AMD rig & onboard with new shiny intel rig.

Even I think u can keep your AMD rig with Win7 and activate win7 again in new Intel rig,but don't go online with AMD rig once you activated your intel rig. this way no one can trace you using 2 machine win7 activated.<--- though this my personal assumption,it may not work.
Click to expand...

Means only HDD and ram gets their id registered, and i didn't understand those bold line in last, you mean to say i should not use net on that AMD rig??

greenhorn said:
if you ask microsoft, they'll say you should buy retail.
but OEM works just as fine. you might just have to contat them once or twice to activate, thats all.
If you need a legit & licenced OS on the cheap, get OEM
If you need to do things 100% right & might use MS support ( free only for the first year) , buy retail
Click to expand...

Is OEM version locally available?
and after reading few above post it look OEM and retail version have almost same way to re-activate via telephone.
 
Happy Singh said:
Means only HDD and ram gets their id registered, and i didn't understand those bold line in last, you mean to say i should not use net on that AMD rig??
Click to expand...

HDD have the activation status file so formatting the Windows partition or changing the HDD the activation file lost. Regarding RAM it may be, changing & upgrading this may change the unique hardware ID which every machine generate.

About the Bold Line.....

If u buy a retail box copy with Auth Certificate CD key is for one machine, you can't use it 2 or more machine as fellow members already mentioned. It means u can't activate no more than 1 machine at a time. If u do previous one is de-activated or so. In short MS will not allow to do this anyhow.

Say now u buy the Retail pack and activate in ur AMD machine, say u using for several months, then u buy new Intel Rig & want to use your Retail Win 7, In MS way u fast completely un-install from previous PC then Re-install ur current PC & activate.

Here I say/suggest if you don't go online with your previous machine (AMD rig in ur case which is Win7 activated) How will MS know or deactivate it ? So in that way u can use 2 machine.(please note this my assumption though) But maybe I'm wrong, maybe win7 require periodical online check or so.
 
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