Archived from groups: microsoft.public.windowsxp.general (
More info?)
In news:eFIBkDutFHA.1136@TK2MSFTNGP12.phx.gbl,
Lil' Dave <spamyourself@virus.net> typed:
> "Ken Blake" <kblake@this.is.an.invalid.domain> wrote in message
> news:%23BV5O2ktFHA.3720@TK2MSFTNGP14.phx.gbl...
>> In news:dfvfqo$ofh$1@news6.svr.pol.co.uk,
>> Si <si@munirs.freeserve.co.uk> typed:
>>
>>> I want to get a copy of XP Pro for my nephew and found that I
>>> can buy
>>> an OEM version for £89 if I also purchase a £1.15 mouse as
>>> well. The
>>> thing is, I not sure what the difference is between the full
>>> retail
>>> version and the OEM one. Are there, in fact, any differences?
>>> Are
>>> there any restrictions placed on the OEM version? This would
>>> just be
>>> for a single PC.
>>
>>
>> Although if you get a complete generic OEM version, it
>> contains
>> the same software, it has the following disadvantages as
>> compared
>> with the retail version:
>>
>>
>>
>> 1. Its license ties it permanently to the first computer it's
>> installed on. It can never legally be moved to another
>> computer,
>> sold, or given away.
>>
>
> Then how did I switch out a motherboard, and install the OS
> anew?
It didn't say that it was technically impossible, nor did I say
that switching a motherboard makes it a new computer. Although
there are those here who claim that a new motherboard makes it a
new computer, the EULA does *not* say that, and I maintain that
it's a gray area that would only be settled in a court, if that
ever happens.
What I said was that the terms of the license prohibit your
changing the computer it's installed on. Sometimes it's very
clear that it's a new computer, other times it's much less clear.
> And why did MS provide a new product key when my hardware was
> further
> modfied?
Modifying hardware doesn't make it a new computer either. Also
note that it wasn't *Microsoft* who provided the key, it was some
individual employee at Microsoft. Not every Microsoft employee
necessarily knows the rules equally well; and probably not every
Microsoft employee enforces them equally well.
>> 2. It can only do a clean installation, not an upgrade.
>>
>
> Never tried it w/full install OEM CD. Why would I?
I have no idea. Perhaps you wouldn't. But *many* people want to.
>> 3. Microsoft provides no support for OEM versions. You can't
>> call
>> them with a problem, but instead have to get any needed
>> support
>> from your OEM; that support may range anywhere between good
>> and
>> non-existent. Or you can get support elsewhere, such as in
>> these
>> newsgroups.
>
> Says right on the license at startup I have 30 days free
> support.
> Should I write the reseller to tell MS to rewrite its license?
>
> Most of us, whether retail or OEM rely on neighbors, friends,
> acquaintances, web sites, and newsgroups for support. Tech
> support
> from big business is expensive, time consuming, and frustrating
> for
> both parties.
You want to argue with me, but I didn't say anything about how
good Microsoft's technical support was, and I didn't suggest that
it was better than, for example, the support here. In many cases,
there can be support alternatives better than calling the vendor,
regardless of who that vendor is. Si asked what the differences
were between the Retail and OEM versions and what restrictions
were on the OEM version. I answered his question accurately.
--
Ken Blake - Microsoft MVP Windows: Shell/User
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