What a Waste?! Windows XP COA

markyb

markyb

markyb

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Hi,

I brought Windows XP OEM Home Edition for my 2800xp setup must be getting on for 2/3 years now.

Now ive upgraded, Wel replaced most of the hardware including the case (See sig) now need to install Windows.

Can I use my COA I paid for? or do I have to buy another Version of Windows? It just seems a waste of a Licence as its not going to be used anymore as im selling the parts off separately.

I done some searching on the forum, but there doesnt seem to be a clear cut answer. But I kinda get the idea after some reading, is that ive got to throw it away.Would the Retail version be the same if so?

Thanks ;)
 
The OEM license is tied to a particular PC so you would be breaking the license aggreement if you installed the software on another PC. The retail version can be installed on as many PCs as you like, one at a time of course.
 
Brian Stuart said:
The OEM license is tied to a particular PC so you would be breaking the license aggreement if you installed the software on another PC. The retail version can be installed on as many PCs as you like, one at a time of course.
Click to expand...

Thank you.

Thats made things much clearer. I guess its reflected in the price. Im just thinking wether to bother buying the retial version of XP Home or just buying another OEM as the next upgrade probably will be Vista.
 
If I'm honest I would say you got a good case, seeing that this copy will only be running on one machine at a time.. somehow though, Microsoft will no doubt have a hissy fit if you ring and explain that.

Worth a shot.. I think it is illegal though :confused:
 
It'd be against the terms of the license to use it again I'm afraid, although I don't believe the Microsoft systems actively check to see if the hardware config has changed between activations. Up to you to make the decision, but it would be illegal to use it on a different PC, even if it activated.

It sucks not being able to transfer OEM licenses, but I guess that's why they're cheaper and that's the way it is :(
 
On average the Retail Upgrade is not that much more than OEM.
Sure it is more expensive, but not by a great amount.
However the license on the Retail Upgrade is oh so much more flexible than the OEM one.

Since the upgrade I bought from Windows 3.11 to Windows 95 I've always purchased Retail Upgrades.
I like to be 100% legal and I also like to be able to move my installations around now and again.
 
stoofa said:
I like to be 100% legal and I also like to be able to move my installations around now and again.
Click to expand...

Me to, couldnt agree more. But just seems to be a waste of a legit COA just because the machine is broken up for bits.
 
Isn't the OEM version connected to the mobo? Ie. you can change everything else but the motherboard? if so why not just sell the mobo and xp together?
 
markyb said:
Me to, couldnt agree more. But just seems to be a waste of a legit COA just because the machine is broken up for bits.
Click to expand...

That's a silly concept. It's a license, you've paid to use it on that computer, it's not a physical entity that can be "wasted".
 
I have bought OEM disks from OCUK in the past and at re-activation time ( on a re-install) it asks you to phone MS, as long as you verify that the licence isnt being used any more ( ie previous hdd have either died or been formatted) they give you an authorisation code without any hassle

and while I understand the point above about OEM being cheaper - its STILL £90 or whatever and so I think MS SHOULD enable you to move the licence to any ONE machine of the licence holders choosing
 
Amp34 said:
Isn't the OEM version connected to the mobo? Ie. you can change everything else but the motherboard? if so why not just sell the mobo and xp together?
Click to expand...

i think amp34 has a good point. if all else fails, ie. you ring M$ and they don't wanna know, offer the board and licence for sale together.

at least that way you'll part subsidise your next OS.
 
FrankJH said:
...its STILL £90 or whatever and so I think MS SHOULD enable you to move the licence to any ONE machine of the licence holders choosing
Click to expand...

but then who would ever buy the full retail version?

though i agree with the general sentiment that we're all still paying way too much for an OS these days. tbh i'd have gone pure linux years ago if it wasn't for the games...
 
People buy the retail version because you get the services of a ms person at the end of the phone to help you set up your e-mail etc and tell you how to put the cd in the drive and click ok.

just tell ms your board broke, they wont have a clue either way and if there prices were properly investigated, ever, you would find they are making a ridiculous amount of profit anyway due to the lack of competition. :D
 
MrWhippy said:
but then who would ever buy the full retail version?

though i agree with the general sentiment that we're all still paying way too much for an OS these days. tbh i'd have gone pure linux years ago if it wasn't for the games...
Click to expand...

XP Pro OEM is approx £93 inc VAT from OCUK!! I havent looked but I would suspect its about that everywhere

(and if you look I was actually talking about OEM's anyway) ;)
 
FrankJH said:
XP Pro OEM is approx £93 inc VAT from OCUK!! I havent looked but I would suspect its about that everywhere

(and if you look I was actually talking about OEM's anyway) ;)
Click to expand...

i knew you were talking about the OEM version. :)

what i was trying to say was that one of the major benefits of the retail version over the OEM is that the retail licence allows you to legally use it on subsequent PCs as you upgrade.

so why would anyone buy the retail if they let you do what you were suggesting with the OEM?
i was forgetting that some people actually need the support lines ;)

although i do agree that for the amounts of money we are talking about (£90ish for oem) i think it should last longer than the next major upgrade.
given how quick PCs parts date in terms of what's needed to play the latest games etc, it would seem fair to assume a user is going to want to upgrade quite frequently these days.

maybe we'd be better off if Microsoft dropped it's OEM line.
it is a restricted bargain basement product that probably gets more sales than it should by people who focus only on the price tag. many of them really should be buying the retail product as it will be better for them in the long run.
 
To be honest its not ms that are the problem, OEM is meant to be sold as part of a full system, ie dell etc. Its the shops like OCUK that sell them to you and me that should sort themselves out.

I have a retail version, its been on about 3 different mobos with lots of different parts. I have no problems transferring it, except the fact i have to ring up to get it activated every time as its gone way past the first 4 reinstalls. :rolleyes:
 
yeah but think of that £60 you wasted, i wouldnt touch retail with a barge pole, its way too expensive.

If you did some research, you would know that oem can be sold separately so long as it is to a system builder, what else are you going to do install another copy on a dell, duh!!!

and, if your mboard fails or is nicked, you can fit another, no probs, retail is for girls (no offence) who need a helping hand to put the cd in the drive. You retail campainers are just trying to justify the money you waisted ha ha ha ;)

sorry dont answer, i just think its funny the way you defend retail so vigorously, you should get a job on the ms phone line telling oem owners they cant reactivate.

in fact has anyone on here ever been refused? :p

ps whens vista oem coming out, can i preorder or should i buy retail, let me think :cool:
 
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