8 replies to this topic

[rdv-eu]

I've recently bought the DSP Windows XP SP3 OEM System Builders Pack, seperately. I know OEM versions come only with a new PC and now I don't know whether I made a mistake. I cannot find a clear answer in MS forums. My question is: am I legal?

Edited by rdv-eu, 25 December 2008 - 10:59 AM.

[Taco Bell]

Basically rdv-eu, with such an OEM license you are obligated to support Windows yourself instead of contacting Microsoft for assistance. That's why there's a cost difference between a retail license & an OEM license. One has to pay more for the additional end-user support.

Also, OEM licenses typically come with a new PC, but it's not limited to that scenario. It can be extended to any piece of computer hardware.

Now the System Builder Pack, on the other hand, is a little different and doesn't have the same purchase restrictions as it's meant for OEM suppliers.

Therefore, as long as you're okay with supporting Windows and not contacting Microsoft for assistance, then I wouldn't worry about it.

[rdv-eu]

Thanks for the information, Taco Bell!

I thought I made a big mistake after I found this and this website on the internet. According to these web sites, I'm using a pirated copy...

[Chugworth]

Thanks for the information, Taco Bell!

I thought I made a big mistake after I found this and this website on the internet. According to these web sites, I'm using a pirated copy...

Bullshit. If that was piracy, websites like NewEgg and TigerDirect would have been sunk long ago. Just do a search for "Windows XP" or "Windows Vista" and the first ones you see are the OEM editions. In fact, check out this TigerDirect advertisement, and notice which edition the links are going to. Anyone whose buying a Windows license through these websites goes for the OEM license. You'd be an idiot not to. The only extra things you get with the retail editions are a fancy box and Microsoft phone support.

Their requirement used to be that you had to buy some piece of hardware with it - for example a power cord - and that copy could be used on a machine with that power cord. But not anymore. Now you could buy an OEM license without any extra hardware.

[Illrigger]

Ah, you have to love articles written by people who sell computers and are bitter that the average consumer is picking up on the ways they sell bundled software and rip them off. There is absolutely nothing illegal about selling or buying normal OEM copies of software. They're intended to be bundled with a new system purchase, sure - and that new mobo you stuck in your PC is a new system by definition of the license terms. End of story.

There are indeed situations where buying OEM software is illegal. Those situations are very few and far between nowadays, mostly involving medium-sized OEM shops who negotiate special volume prices to be sold only to their customers. Those are really rare nowadays because the software vendors have tricks to make sure that the copies are easily identifiable as such.

[rdv-eu]

Thank you all for your replies!

To be honest, some MS partners told me that I cannot buy OEM DSP, and offered the Genuine Advantage Kit that includes XP Pro SP2. That's stupid.

Now I feel better, as I didn't spend money for something useless. My PC is not new, and I was using an academic license, that's why I decided to purchase XP.

Edited by rdv-eu, 26 December 2008 - 11:07 AM.

[Illrigger]

That's absolutely correct, you can't buy an OEM copy of windows from a MS partner; only a registered MS system builder is allowed to do that. However, you don't want to do that anyway - they only come in 5-packs from them, and the price you get for buying low quantities would probably be more than you would pay at Newegg or the like (unless things have changed in the 10 years I have been out of the OEM end of IT).

We almost never bought from partners for this reason; we were a fairly small shop (20-30 machines a week), so we would buy from a larger local OEM who would pass on some of their discount to us. It was technically breaking their license agreement with MS to do so, but they sold to a dozen or so small OEMs and would not have been able to maintain the needed level of sales to keep the agreement if they didn't. We also bought grey market copies from out-of-state that had Dell/HP/Compaq/etc name stamps on them, so even the really big boys were doing it (although that's stopped now, since MS changed they way the big guys have to sell media with their systems. It was one thing to sell a copy of Windows with a Dell logo on it, it's another to try and sell the blue/green Dell media - people won't buy them.

[GoAnima]

from microsoft parner.actutally you can go to some local software shop then ask..^^

[Ryan]

1. Between June 26, 2009 and January 31, 2010, any new computer purchased with Windows Vista will qualify for a free upgrade to Windows 7. So if you've been planning on purchasing a new PC in the near future, you should hold off just a little while longer.

2. Check and see if your school is with the MSDNAA or Microsoft Developers Network Academic Alliance. If they are, check with their specific MSDNAA site when the final version of Windows 7 comes out to see if they distribute it.

3. Check with Microsoft DreamSpark. This is a special site from Microsoft that gives out free software to people who have a valid e-mail address from any of the qualifying schools listed. It's possible they could put Windows 7 up there once it's released.

4. If you're in the US, Canada or Europe, and are in school, there's a site called Journey Ed that gives out software and other kinds of products at a discount. You just need to show them some kind of proof.

from Microsoft partner. Actually you can go to some local software shop then ask.