Vista 64 Ultimate OEM ... I DON'T GET IT!

[NurseRN]

I have been toying with the idea to finally build a new system and get Vista 64. I got the system so I began looking at different flavors of Vista and finally settled on Vista 64 ultimate SP1 OEM for System Builders. Price was what captured my attention of course as OEM is about hundreds cheaper than the retail version. Then the questions started pouring such as: what does the license of an OEM version mean when it says that it can only installed on ONE computer and cannot be transferred?

OK! So, I go to Microsoft.com and because it's in the middle of the night, I option for the chat version of help. The first clown I get tells me that NewEgg's OEM Vista 64 SP1 is pirated. Just like that! Before I had the chance to ask him what in the world was it that he was talking about, he left some toll free numbers and left as fast as he could. I was like... OK... weird! Tried again a few minutes later and the EXACT same thing happened! The second clown left as fast as he could once I sent him the link to an OEM Vista. All these from reputable sellers!

What the heck happened with these OEM flavors? No good???

Here's what I need to know: say I buy the OEM Vista 64 Ultimate and I install it on this new system build. One year from now I decide to give this a complete and happy overhaul (basically new rig); could I re-install the same OEM copy of Vista Ultim. 64 or because this is a NEW system, I would need to again, pay Microsoft for yet ANOTHER OS??!

Please, can someone explain to me the difference between OEM, OEM for Syst. Builders (if it's not the same) and retail? It must be the licensing. Basically I want to be able to (since I'm paying for it )) to use it on my next 5 new rigs. Possible or illegal???


Also, where do you guys buy cheap(er), genuine Vista's?

 

[ViRGE]

There's nothing wrong with OEM copies of Windows from a solid retailer. I don't know what the MS CSRs are thinking, but that's not pirated. It's the same stuff that would go out to any second-tier system builder.

The difference (and hence the cheapness) of OEM vs. retail comes down to 2 things:

1) OEM doesn't come with any support, retail comes with 90 days of support (the clock starts once you activate it)
2) OEM can only be installed on a single computer, defined as the motherboard. It is forever tied to that motherboard once it is activated. Retail may be reinstalled on other systems until you're blue in the face, although still only a single system at a time for obvious reasons.

So as far as your question is concerned, if you built a new rig in a year and purchased the OEM version of Windows, you would need to purchase a new copy. For that reason most of us tend to recommend going with the retail version.

 

[NurseRN]

BINGO! Now I get it! Thanks so much for taking the time to reply to my thread.I appreciate it!

 

[Butterbean]

Thats true that M$ technically sees an OEM copy of OS as tied to mobo but I see and read people who swap their OEM copies between mobos with no real hassles. Lots of hobbyists get new mobos every year - some even have to RMA bad mobos after an OS install. I have yet to see M$ bust a legitimate user over the OS going on new board.

 

[Muadib]

You should also check the For sale forum. I got the retail version there for less than the OEM version Newegg sells. You might get lucky too.