Vista retail versions

Bobario

Bobario

Bobario

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Joined
7 Nov 2006
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54
Just a quick question about what happened to the retail versions of Vista. I was going to buy Home Premium Retail because I re-install my OS quite freqently. Only OC dont sell it any more, only the OEM versions, and everyone in the forums seems to use OEM too. Did the Mircosoft nazis relax their one install only policy?
 
You can install Vista as many times you like belongs the motherboard stays the same, after a few installs you may need to get a activation code from MS though.

Overclockers stopped selling these a few months back.

Rob
 
Bobario said:
Just a quick question about what happened to the retail versions of Vista. I was going to buy Home Premium Retail because I re-install my OS quite freqently. Only OC dont sell it any more, only the OEM versions, and everyone in the forums seems to use OEM too. Did the Mircosoft nazis relax their one install only policy?
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People weren't buying the retail versions because as usual most people don't bother looking past the price.
They see the OEM version is cheaper, see that there is a good chance they maybe able to reinstall it illegally in the future and just buy it.
They feel good about themselves - although once they do replace their motherboards and somehow successfully reactivate their OS they are no better than software pirates, they will just try and self justify.

Non-OEM versions are available from most etailers out there.
Yes you will pay for it - but you at least know that for as long as Vista is around you'll always be able to transfer your copy from machine to machine and remain 100% legal.
 
He basically sounds like a MS rep and/or someone who thinks what MS have done with the licencing for Vista is right.
Now obviously thats a matter of opinion, but calling people who circumvent it thiefs is a little strong really. If someones bought the software, they expect to be able to use it.

I personally dont like what MS have done with it all, but on the other hand, it doesnt really affect me, as im licenced through work. :p.
 
I'd just like to make the point, it's not just MS that have this OEM restrictions policy, some have very similar EULAs and the sentiment has been in the software industry for a long time. To put all the flak onto MS is a little unfair.

I'm curious, why don't you think the restrictions are 'right'?

Burnsy
 
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BoomAM said:
He basically sounds like a MS rep and/or someone who thinks what MS have done with the licencing for Vista is right.
Now obviously thats a matter of opinion, but calling people who circumvent it thief's is a little strong really. If someones bought the software, they expect to be able to use it.

I personally dont like what MS have done with it all, but on the other hand, it doesnt really affect me, as im licenced through work. :p.
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Its the way its always been with Windows & its nothing new with vista.
Well they are thief's. OEM the agreement is to use on one computer only & it will die with that computer.
Or you have the Choice of the more costly agreement & buy retail & move it from computer to computer as much as you like.
Like most things in life you have to pay more to get more.
Think of it like an Insurance policy.
 
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BoomAM said:
Multiple reasons.
Im not getting into this now, its been discussed to death on Vista's release, we'd only be covering old ground again. :).
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Fair enough, I've forgotten the debate we had then but you're right, it's a can of worms that doesn't need to be opened.

Burnsy
 
burnsy2023 said:
Fair enough, I've forgotten the debate we had then but you're right, it's a can of worms that doesn't need to be opened.

Burnsy
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I dont think the argument was with me, i stayed out of the whole debate at the time as everything that i would have said was being said. :p.
 
in my opinion its good that they have come up with a way to cut down on the piracy of their software but silly that its motherboard related, i have had a few pcs/a few customers pcs that have needed a new motherboard due to sudden faults that were out of the users control, If this was to happen when using vista what are microsoft views on giving out a key to re-activate it? and if they do allow it , whats stopping anyone ringing up and saying their motherboard just went pop ?

SG
 
SGWills said:
in my opinion its good that they have come up with a way to cut down on the piracy of their software but silly that its motherboard related, i have had a few pcs/a few customers pcs that have needed a new motherboard due to sudden faults that were out of the users control, If this was to happen when using vista what are microsoft views on giving out a key to re-activate it? and if they do allow it , whats stopping anyone ringing up and saying their motherboard just went pop ?

SG
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As above - morals and the fact that there are people out there, in fact a lot more than you'd give credit to that don't agree with software piracy and/or theft.
I only run license legal software at home and that means everything from the OS down to the smallest program running on more than one machine.
I've purchased 3 copies of WinZip for example.

If people want to lie and/or withhold the truth it is their call.
Maybe they will get away with it - great.
Maybe they won't.
At the end of the day I simply don't have to lie to MS or anyone else as I'm 100% license legal.
 
You have to ask yourself the question will VISTA be replaced before or after I replace my motherboard?

Generally unless you are always upgrading a MB should last the same amount of time as a VISTA licence.
 
OEM - Original Equipment Manufacturer. Thats equals IBM, DELL, HP or me/you building at home. As such, if that "original equipment" changes configuration drastically (i.e. Motherboard), and you only bought an OEM license then it seems reasonable to me that you buy another OEM copy because you are not sticking within the confines of the OEM license. The "Original Equipment" is not the "original" device on which the OEM copy - cheaper than the retail - was installed. If you want to change and swap your hardware about then you buy the more flexible option - the retail package.

Come on guys, nothing in life's free and you get what you pay for.

My 2c.
 
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