Anyone been turned down By MS when installing OEM Win XP?

[Killrose]

As in the main title, anyone been shot down by MS's new activatoin policy on thier latest re-format/WinXP install?

 

[HeroOfPellinor]

Originally posted by: Killrose
As in the main title, anyone been shot down by MS's new activatoin policy on thier latest re-format/WinXP install?

Sure, had to call a couple times. After three back to back installs. No big deal.

 

[EvanB]

They are usually really nice about it if you bother to call them. Its usually not a big deal at all, as HoP said.

 

[John]

I've had a couple of HP's and eMachine's that will not activate after the original mainboard is replaced by an aftermarket product. Even when you phone in the activation code the MSrep will tell you to contact your OEM for assistance. When you call the OEM vendor they'll tell you that you need to buy a new copy of the OS since it's tied to the original mainboard (MS also states that the OS is tied to the original mainboard). I suppose the only way around this is if you buy the exact mainboard from the OEM at an inflated price.

 

[mechBgon]

The full retail version is really the better answer for people who've contracted Perpetual Upgrade Disease. No strings attached, install it on any single computer you want. Yeah, costs more initially...

 

[John]

Mech, I thought the only difference between a retail and oem o/s is who you call for support.

[*]retail = ms
[*]oem = the "system builder"

No matter which way you go the o/s is tied to the mainboard. Granted a true oem copy (like the ones you can buy from online/local store) will not be plagued by the activation nightmare (meaning you must call your oem) and mainboard swaps.

 

[mechBgon]

I'm paraphrasing what they have to say on this page plus what you said, that the mainboard is the tiebreaker item in deciding what constitues a need to re-license OEM software. I really didn't have a clear grasp on the whole thing myself for a long time (heh, I bought OEM Office2kPro from you once upon a time, didn't I ).

Anyhow, I'm sticking with retail-boxed now that I see how this actually is supposed to work. Retail-full-version is licensed to the human being, not the hardware. I doubt MS will freak if people fudge a little on the OEM version, they're probably glad they got their $90 or $140 in the first place, but I'm most comfortable this way myself.


(edited to make more distinction between OEM and retail)

 

[Raincity]

Originally posted by: John
Mech, I thought the only difference between a retail and oem o/s is who you call for support.

[*]retail = ms
[*]oem = the "system builder"

No matter which way you go the o/s is tied to the mainboard. Granted a true oem copy (like the ones you can buy from online/local store) will not be plagued by the activation nightmare (meaning you must call your oem) and mainboard swaps.

OEM is tied to motherboard by the EULA. Retail can be used on any pc by the EULA.

 

[mechBgon]

Also I just noticed Killrose's subtitle mentions it's a Dell CD. That looks like trouble in the making.

From my retail-version WinXP Pro CD, this is the bit in the EULA that I think is different than a normal (non-Dell/etc) OEM one:

14. SOFTWARE TRANSFER. Internal.
You may move the Software to a different Workstation
Computer. After the transfer, you must completely remove
the Software from the former Workstation Computer. Transfer
to Third Party. The initial user of the Software may make
a one-time permanent transfer of this EULA and Software to
another end user, provided the initial user retains no
copies of the Software. This transfer must include the
Software and the Proof of License label. The transfer may
not be an indirect transfer, such as a consignment. Prior
to the transfer, the end user receiving the Software must
agree to all the EULA terms.

 

[Killrose]

Originally posted by: mechBgon
Also I just noticed Killrose's subtitle mentions it's a Dell CD. That looks like trouble in the making.

[/quote]

Thats why i'm concerned. I actually have (2) CD vers of XP. One is a Dell and when I loaded it months ago, I had to go thru the on-line activation. The other is an OEM which I did not have to do the on-line activation.

The Dell vers is on the comp I would upgrade, the OEM is on another one I would not.
I guess I could load WinXP using the OEM that does did not require on-line activation. I do have the COA stickers for both vers.

But I hate that kinda thing, i'm feeling itchy and scratchy already