OEM vs RETAIL

pnbalaji · Member Joined: 06 May 2004 Posts: 10 Points: 0

Hi,

I bought a Compaq presario PC with windows XP home edition pre-installed. I would like to format the hard drive as the HDD contains lot of sharewares and unnecessary softwares (atleast to me) and re-install the OS. Now my question is this.

1. Should I buy Windows XP OEM pack or Windows XP Full Edition Retail Pack (Not OEM)?.
2. What is the difference between OEM & Full Version packs?.
3. Suppose if I get OEM pack and install the OS now, will I able to re-install OS in future with the same OEM cd in case of any damage to the OS?.
4. I heard that OEM pack is one per PC. Not sure whether it is a one-time-usage package.

Expecting a reply ASAP.

Thanks in Advance.
Balaji.

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Basementgeek · Supreme Guru Joined: 01 Jan 2003 Posts: 12000 Points: 1188

"Expecting a reply ASAP. " I am sure I am not the only one taken back by this comment that you are "insisting" on a instant reply, from a free help site. Free help is not always fast help. But I will tell what I know.

Who knows what the PC supplied disk has on it, it could a complete XP OS or it could just merely access a hidden partition on your hard drive.

First thing to do is go to the Control panel>Add/Remove programs and delete the programs that you do not want. Also check to remove the Windows installed componets. It will be on left side of the windows that shows the programs.

Patience please

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pnbalaji · Member Joined: 06 May 2004 Posts: 10 Points: 0

Hi,

Thanks for your reply and I am ready to wait for the reply.

Well, I am more interested in the answers for the questions that I asked (about the OEM and RETAIL versions) regarding this topic.

And my PC has hidden partitions and I know the rescue CD doesn't contain the actual OS. Microsoft has banned the supply of Operating Systems in CDs with the PC purchases and that is why PC vendors are giving softwares to restore a "snapshot" of the PC when required.

Thanks,
Balaji.

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Basementgeek · Supreme Guru Joined: 01 Jan 2003 Posts: 12000 Points: 1188

Buy the full retail version you will need it.

I am done with this post Exclamation

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qualserve · Posted: Wed 05/12/2004 10:45pm [Post #5]

Buy the OEM version and save your money. There is no difference in the actual data on the CD's. The only difference is the amount of tech support you get. Oem=no Microsoft tech support. Just be aware, any of the programs you DID like from the original system (this applies both to the full and OEM versions) will have to be reinstalled and that may NOT be possible using the original CD.

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mart44 · Posted: Thu 05/13/2004 4:35am [Post #6]

As I understand it you are only supposed to buy OEM software with a computer or other hardware. I notice that OEM software is sometimes sold with a mouse, or some other piece of hardware not necessarily guaranteed to work. This is to comply with the OEM licencing laws I suppose.

Here's a page that says something about it:
http://half.ebay.com/help/index.cfm?helpsection=pi_soft ware

Namely the part that says:

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statesman34 · Posted: Thu 05/13/2004 3:00pm [Post #7]

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Osc · Posted: Thu 05/13/2004 5:20pm [Post #8]

This seems to come up a lot, so I've tried to sum it up in an article here:
http://www.help2go.com/article206.html

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sgamer · Member Joined: 04 Sep 2004 Posts: 2 Points: 0

Where would someone go to purchase legal OEM software? While searching for it, I came across an article from the UK that stated most of the OEM software is illegal and is sold from three main locations (Brazil, Asia, and I forgot the other one). I found two sites, one in Brazil and the other appeared to be in Asia. While their websites had essentially the exact same content even down to identical FAQs, they had different graphics and prices. Apparently illegal software is more expensive in Asia. If anyone knows where to buy the legal stuff, I'd like to hear about it. Thanks.

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Grim322 · Posted: Sun 09/05/2004 8:54pm [Post #10]

This is an old thread, but a legitament question. Rule of thumb, if it seems too cheap, it is pirated. If it says something like "cannot be updated', it is pirated. If you cannot figure out where the company is located and who to contact with questions, be very careful. I have bought some OEM software from www.itechwholesale.com and believe they are OK. You will notice they have a phone number, an address, and a secure web site. Never use yor credit card on an unsecure web site. Another option is Academic software. If you or any of your family are college students (high school for some software), you can purchase at a considerable discount. Academic software is typically a full retail version that is discounted by arrangment with the software manufactuer. You can do a search for academic software.

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sgamer · Member Joined: 04 Sep 2004 Posts: 2 Points: 0

Thanks. That seems resonable.

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augustus3 · Guest

I have bought OEM software from The Software Guy (www.thesoftwareguy.com)

They are located in Washington State. They have a toll free number to customer service. Prices are great and the software I received was registered with Microsoft and I have had no problems.

Beware of off shore software websites with no address and phone number I was burned by one of these companies.

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whoozhe · Posted: Mon 02/14/2005 8:31pm [Post #13]

Bottom line there is no difference betweem OEM and full retail versions. they are exactly the same code.
Both are only licenced to use on one computer.
The only difference is with OEM versions you do not get the original XP installation CD's which can make reinstalling just windows difficult.
By rights no retailer should sell OEM version on their own. They can be dragged into court for doing so and every copy consficated.
Your choice to do it legally or not.

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Prim · Guest

I know a little about computers, but I am getting a little scared when I read that installing OEM Windows is ALOT harder than the retail version. I am buying a Toshiba Tecra 8100 and got it at a great rate, but I am going to have to buy more RAM and I need Windows XP because it has no OS. I was gonna try to go the cheap way and buy OEM Windows because I'm having to put money in other upgrades, but is it really that much harder to install than the retail version. I don't want to get in over my head..the price difference is just remarakble, but I will gladly pay it if its easier.
Thanks a head of time for your help!!

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Grim322 · Posted: Wed 05/11/2005 2:00pm [Post #15]

I haven't found it any harder to install OEM. OEM often falls into the gray area of marketing, not illegal, but certainly skirting some rules and regulations. You just need to do your homework and know what you are getting. If you are buying any hardware online, the company may offer a chance to buy Windows XP at a discount. Charlie

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