Vista activation woes

KHAN said:
They asked me what make the computer was, I said it was made by myself and I got the OEM online but they said that I wasn't licensed to install or use the software. I would be only if i was a registered microsoft system builder...

Will they have logged what i said last time? what should I say if I phone again?
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They can log it all they like, you're in the right

If you still get stuck, e-mail me the activation request code and I'll phone them for you :)

Burnsy
 
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It's an argument over semantics really.

What MS mean by "system builder" is the likes of Dell, IBM, etc - not "an individual who happens to buy some components and puts them together".

If there was no difference in OEM vs Retail then they would cost the same. That's why retail costs more, because it's the end-user product
 
Durzel said:
It's an argument over semantics really.

What MS mean by "system builder" is the likes of Dell, IBM, etc - not "an individual who happens to buy some components and puts them together".

If there was no difference in OEM vs Retail then they would cost the same. That's why retail costs more, because it's the end-user product
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I couldn't disagree more. I am a MS registered OEM and tbh I don't do much more than most member of this forum.

This is about the whole validity of the OEM license for most PC enthusasts.

Sorry to sound melodramatic, but MS define system builder to encorporate people like us.

Burnsy
 
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:eek: I think we all know how he feels :D
 
Thanks Burnsy and rest,

Will phone them tommoz, say i'm a system builder and I want it activated. If they ask I just say I got the parts for my computer and the oem software and built the system myself right?
 
Hi

Dont know if this is of any use but my experience on a previous Vista reactivation may help or maybe useless .. lol

During the phone activation it asks if the version being activated is a Retail copy or an OEM pre-installed machine (if memory serves me correctly) and as i had purchased the OEM copy from OcUK i chose the 'OEM' option , this failed and i was put onto a CS person who when asked i said that was an OEM purchased online and was told that means its treated as a 'OEM Retail' or plain Retail version so to always choose that option during activation. Since then ive had to reactivate again and had no problems when ive put the version as 'Retail' and this week i even got lucky with a reinstall that activated online.

Probably no help but i tried :)
 
KHAN said:
Thanks Burnsy and rest,

Will phone them tommoz, say i'm a system builder and I want it activated. If they ask I just say I got the parts for my computer and the oem software and built the system myself right?
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Yes.

Burnsy
 
Cozman said:
i was put onto a CS person who when asked i said that was an OEM purchased online and was told that means its treated as a 'OEM Retail' or plain Retail version so to always choose that option during activation.
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is this really true??

when i call, it never gives me a choose between OEM or retail
 
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Hi

Sorry wasnt sure of exact wording during phone call ... asks if purchased 'Retail' or an OEM pre-installed .. basically i chose OEM thinking as was an 'OEM' copy purchased from OcUK then that was the correct description but in fact an 'OEM' from OcUK or others is in fact treated as a 'Retail' purchase as its not pre-installed , did doubt the info would be of any use lol , but just in case anyone was trying to do as i did and treat an 'OEM' home build as an 'OEM pre-installed' that will bugger up the activation as its actually classed as a 'Retail'.

Thats probably as clear as mud but i tried :cool:
 
So what exactly does OEM restrict you to?

If you change cpu/ram/reformat drives etc, you can still use the same OEM disc?

But if you change motherboard, you can't?
 
SeanyK said:
So what exactly does OEM restrict you to?

If you change cpu/ram/reformat drives etc, you can still use the same OEM disc?

But if you change motherboard, you can't?
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u can reformat drives and change everything but not the motherboard...

but if your motherboard dies and its still under warranty your motherboard manufacture should replace it with the same one or similar then u can use the same OEM license
 
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SeanyK said:
So what exactly does OEM restrict you to?

If you change cpu/ram/reformat drives etc, you can still use the same OEM disc?

But if you change motherboard, you can't?
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Read the licensing sticky, all is explained there.

Burnsy
 
Can someone please let me know the numer to call as I'm having this issue (I removed a hard drive and updated nforce drivers).

thanks in advance
 
ricky1981 said:
Can someone please let me know the numer to call as I'm having this issue (I removed a hard drive and updated nforce drivers).

thanks in advance
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The number should be on screen when you ask to activate by telephone.
 
Thought that one just took me down an automated line (just did it and failed again), must be a non-automated section?! That'll teach me for not listening to all the options
 
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