Windows 7 OEM option

theCzar

I'm looking to get a copy of windows 7 for a PC I've cobbled together from spare parts. There's a non-functioning version of XP on the HD. I've seen OEM versions of Win7 Home for sale at various online outlets, I understand these are cheaper owing to having no support from Microsoft but I'm not especially concerned about that, is there anything else I need to bear in mind?

If I get an upgrade version, do I need to be able to boot into XP first or can I install direct from the CD during bootup?

Why didn't I buy two licences back when it was 60e on pre-order

Odaise Gaelach

theCzar wrote: »

I'm looking to get a copy of windows 7 for a PC I've cobbled together from spare parts. There's a non-functioning version of XP on the HD. I've seen OEM versions of Win7 Home for sale at various online outlets, I understand these are cheaper owing to having no support from Microsoft but I'm not especially concerned about that, is there anything else I need to bear in mind?

OEM licences cannot be transferred between PCs. Once an OEM licence is activated on a PC then it stays with that PC. The retail versions allow you to deactive a PC and transfer the licence to another PC if you wish.

theCzar wrote: »

If I get an upgrade version, do I need to be able to boot into XP first or can I install direct from the CD during bootup?

You can upgrade directly from the CD; you don't need to start the setup from Windows XP.

More info:
Upgrading from Windows XP to Windows 7 - Microsoft Windows

Capt'n Midnight

theCzar wrote: »

I'm looking to get a copy of windows 7 for a PC I've cobbled together from spare parts. There's a non-functioning version of XP on the HD. I've seen OEM versions of Win7 Home for sale at various online outlets, I understand these are cheaper owing to having no support from Microsoft but I'm not especially concerned about that, is there anything else I need to bear in mind?

No they are cheaper because they are non-transferrable.

If I get an upgrade version, do I need to be able to boot into XP first or can I install direct from the CD during bootup?

you can do a clean install, you can't upgrade form 32bit XP to 64bit 7 anyway

note if you upgrade an OEM copy of windows , then the OEM copy of windows dies, the upgrade becomes OEM and can't ever be moved to another machine and it then lives/dies with the motherboard

slimjimmc

You can't get OEM editions legitimately without purchasing a PC, a condition of the OEM licence is the OS is installed by the PC's manufacturer/builder for re-sale.

Here's a good explanation of the various editions and licence restrictions:
http://www.zdnet.com/blog/bott/what-microsoft-wont-tell-you-about-windows-7-licensing/1514?tag=mantle_skin;content

Capt'n Midnight wrote: »

note if you upgrade an OEM copy of windows , then the OEM copy of windows dies, the upgrade becomes OEM and can't ever be moved to another machine and it then lives/dies with the motherboard

The OEM+Upgrade can't be moved but, according to the article above, you can uninstall the retail upgrade (which will restore the Pc back to it's original OEM edition) and legally transfer the upgrade edition (only the upgrade) to another machine.

Capt'n Midnight

https://www.microsoft.com/About/Legal/EN/US/IntellectualProperty/UseTerms/Default.aspx

Home Premium - you may get other rights with ultimate etc
http://download.microsoft.com/Documents/UseTerms/Windows%207_Home%20Premium_English_a0cdb148-2381-47cd-bfc9-9b9102e0cb28.pdf

15. UPGRADES. To use upgrade software, you must first be licensed for the software that is eligible for
the upgrade. Upon upgrade, this agreement takes the place of the agreement for the software you
upgraded from. After you upgrade, you may no longer use the software you upgraded from.
...
17. TRANSFER TO ANOTHER COMPUTER.
a. Software Other than Windows Anytime Upgrade. You may transfer the software and install
it on another computer for your use. That computer becomes the licensed computer. You may
not do so to share this license between computers.
b. Windows Anytime Upgrade Software. You may transfer the software and install it on
another computer, but only if the license terms of the software you upgraded from allows you to
do so. That computer becomes the licensed computer. You may not do so to share this license
between computers.

NB windows anytime upgrade doesn't automatically allow tansfer.

As far as I know you can't uninstall an upgrade - since the old sw is already dead and microsoft have been very restrictive on downgrade rights in the past.

slimjimmc wrote: »

The OEM+Upgrade can't be moved but, according to the article above, you can uninstall the retail upgrade (which will restore the Pc back to it's original OEM edition) and legally transfer the upgrade edition (only the upgrade) to another machine.

I can't see that bit where you can uninstall

And a final, very important note: I am not a lawyer. This post is not legal advice. I have provided an important disclaimer on the final page of this post. Please read it.

Until you find something in the Eula or microsofts's (and not the forums) site then it's moot.

Page2 of that article says
http://www.zdnet.com/blog/bott/what-microsoft-wont-tell-you-about-windows-7-licensing/1514?pg=3

To use upgrade software, you must first be licensed for the software that is eligible for the upgrade. Upon upgrade, this agreement takes the place of the agreement for the software you upgraded from. After you upgrade, you may no longer use the software you upgraded from. [emphasis added]

I really hate licensing :mad:

MarcusFenix

sort of off topic lads but I got an upgrade version of win7 today without realising and I came across this when trying to find a way of installing it anyway,,,did anyone here try this yet?
Any success?