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Thread ID: 104545 2009-10-31 04:46:00 windows 7 oem good or bad? smithinator (15240) Press F1
Post ID Timestamp Content User
825788 2009-10-31 21:56:00 sorry why would i bother with what? smithinator (15240)
825789 2009-10-31 22:15:00 This should explain it

How does the Windows 7 Upgrade Option work?

The Windows 7 Upgrade Option is available through participating PC manufacturers on selected PCs and through Microsoft on qualifying purchases of the Windows Vista packaged product. The Windows 7 Upgrade Option applies to Windows Vista Home Premium, Business, and Ultimate editions. Your Windows 7 upgrade will be to the comparable version: so you'll get either Windows 7 Home Premium, Windows 7 Professional (the upgrade to Windows Vista Business), or Windows 7 Ultimate, respectively. The Windows 7 Upgrade Option program runs from 26 June 2009 through 31 January 2010. Individual PC manufacturers may choose to offer the option for a shorter period on their PCs. Offer details, prices, and upgrade delivery methods will vary. For details for new PC purchases, please check the manufacturer's web site. For purchases of retail packaged software, please go to the Windows 7 Upgrade Option fulfilment site for retail packaged software. (fulfillment.msapoc.com)

And in regards to OEM, you can only install it on one computer (it's "tied" to that machine once you activate it, and may not be transferred to another even if the 1st is destroyed (unlike a full or upgrade version, which can be transferred), that's why it's cheaper ;), also M$ are quite strict on machine hardware upgrades with OEM and will make you reactivate (within 3 days or else!) if you add a extra harddrive or similar :groan:. Otherwise the OS is complete in every way AFAIK, with no gotchas.
feersumendjinn (64)
825790 2009-10-31 22:25:00 so when i install any new hardware i must reactivate windows 7? and does reactivating it cost any extra money? thanks for all the help smithinator (15240)
825791 2009-10-31 22:55:00 Why would you bother installing Vista then upgrading to Win 7 seems a strange thing to do now that 7 has been released gary67 (56)
825792 2009-10-31 22:57:00 Yes, and no (very unlikely, unless they make you buy another licence because you've made lots of hardware changes (think you're allowed up to four or six in one go), if it it comes to that, you can just ring them and explain and they should give you a new code number (at no cost)). feersumendjinn (64)
825793 2009-10-31 23:09:00 i am buying vista with the upgrade because it is $50 cheaper to do it that way than to buy windows 7. So when i put in my new HDD i wont have to reinstall/reactivate anything, i just want to make sure as i plan to continue upgrading over time smithinator (15240)
825794 2009-11-01 04:43:00 I didnt have to buy anything with my windows xp sp3 oem... (from playtech)

although i did just buy a computer 3 weeks prior from them with no os ;)
PCT Joe (15018)
825795 2009-11-01 05:35:00 If its cheaper go for it! MS does not give you excellent help though either,
isnt that what this site is for? :lol:
Nice to see that there is a big rush for Windows 7
evrypc (15296)
825796 2009-11-01 21:13:00 This should explain it

And in regards to OEM, you can only install it on one computer (it's "tied" to that machine once you activate it, and may not be transferred to another even if the 1st is destroyed (unlike a full or upgrade version, which can be transferred), that's why it's cheaper ;), also M$ are quite strict on machine hardware upgrades with OEM and will make you reactivate (within 3 days or else!) if you add a extra harddrive or similar :groan:. Otherwise the OS is complete in every way AFAIK, with no gotchas.

Does this only apply to Windows 7?

I have an OEM version of Windows XP which I have reinstalled too many times to count - used to be Norton's fault usually (enough times that I know my product key without having to look at the sticker!)

I think there is actually a difference between the OEM you can buy at any PC shop with hardware, and the kind that would come preinstalled on your HP/Dell/Compaq etc.

I have tried to reinstall one of these using my own OEM CD and their product key (recovery partitions are stupid because they contain all the crapplications that require and extra 2GB of RAM) and it didn't accept the key. Yes this was same version, original non-servicepack XP.
Agent_24 (57)
825797 2009-11-01 21:19:00 The OEM that comes with a system probably comes with drivers etc. So, once you use the recovery cd / dvd, everything works. Which will save you installing them later. Whereas, an OEM version wouldnt have the drivers, and nothing would work, until you download the drivers etc then install them. Speedy Gonzales (78)
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