OEM Disks

[PC-Technix]

Can anyone tell me, I have just managed to order a replacement OEM via Microsoft (Windows XP Pro) for $30 Bucks, after imputing the serial # and COA, now what i want to know the OEM disk is this only usable with the PC it was taken from or can this be used in my tool bag for reinstall etc.

 

[ajc196]

If it truly is an OEM disc, it can be used to install with any OEM key from an OEM XP Professional COA. It will not be able to install/activate any other version or path, such as Home Edition or Retail/VLK (you won't run into these too often anyway, but if you do you can change the PID and re-burn the disc to make the disc take another path's key).

 

[PC-Technix]

If it truly is an OEM disc, it can be used to install with any OEM key from an OEM XP Professional COA. It will not be able to install/activate any other version or path, such as Home Edition or Retail/VLK (you won't run into these too often anyway, but if you do you can change the PID and re-burn the disc to make the disc take another path's key).

thank-you for clearing that up, I have just got my grubby hands on 3 dell disks one is WINDOWS XP PRO SP3, VISTA BUSINESS 32BIT SP1, AND WINDOWS 7 PRO all three original OEM, just a little keeping my open ;-))

 

[ajc196]

Those aren't the OEM I meant. If you mean "Dell discs" as in the ones that are solid blue/green/purple/etc with a white semicircle on top, those are typically pre-activated and meant only to be put on Dells.

The "true OEM" discs I mean are the holographic-covered ones that come in an OEM Windows package that you buy. They can install any OEM key and will likewise prompt you for the key as well.

In other words, you need the right, not the left:

 

[PC-Technix]

Those aren't the OEM I meant. If you mean "Dell discs" as in the ones that are solid blue/green/purple/etc with a white semicircle on top, those are typically pre-activated and meant only to be put on Dells.

The "true OEM" discs I mean are the holographic-covered ones that come in an OEM Windows package that you buy. They can install any OEM key and will likewise prompt you for the key as well.

In other words, you need the right, not the left:

So the one on the left, I have re installed these on other pc's just leaves a dell folder just delete it??

 

[ajc196]

I reckon so, just keep in mind that they aren't technically licensed for non-Dell PC's and therefore is not the best/correct way to reload an OS.

The best thing to do is get a TechNet license. That way you can have Vista and 7 all-in-one discs (you'll have to edit the ei.cfg on the Ultimate retail discs, and it will take any OEM or retail key for any version), and then you get get the XP Home and Pro retail images and change the PID to make them take OEM keys.

It's a great deal. $199 gets you access to basically every Windows and Office discs you'll need to fill in your gaps, plus you get 10 licenses of EVERY OS for the price of 2 single copies of Windows.

http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/subscriptions/buy.aspx

 

[PC-Technix]

I reckon so, just keep in mind that they aren't technically licensed for non-Dell PC's and therefore is not the best/correct way to reload an OS.

The best thing to do is get a TechNet license. That way you can have Vista and 7 all-in-one discs (you'll have to edit the ei.cfg on the Ultimate retail discs, and it will take any OEM or retail key for any version), and then you get get the XP Home and Pro retail images and change the PID to make them take OEM keys.

It's a great deal. $199 gets you access to basically every Windows and Office discs you'll need to fill in your gaps, plus you get 10 licenses of EVERY OS for the price of 2 single copies of Windows.

http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/subscriptions/buy.aspx

Yes i have seen that technet site and joined it, but im sure with the replacement schemes that microsoft do, you can get what you want for $30 dollars so long as you have a serial # and COA #

 

[NeutronTech]

Yes i have seen that technet site and joined it, but im sure with the replacement schemes that microsoft do, you can get what you want for $30 dollars so long as you have a serial # and COA #

But why pay $30 when you can download the iso for free via your technet subscription?

 

[PC-Technix]

But why pay $30 when you can download the iso for free via your technet subscription?

At the moment $30 is better than $199

 

[RegEdit]

So the one on the left, I have re installed these on other pc's just leaves a dell folder just delete it??

Supposedly there is a way to remove the Dell crap off of a Dell CD, leaving you with a generic OEM CD, then you slip stream it.
Also I believe that 1 Vista CD can be used to install any version of Vista.

 

[red12049]

Those aren't the OEM I meant. If you mean "Dell discs" as in the ones that are solid blue/green/purple/etc with a white semicircle on top, those are typically pre-activated and meant only to be put on Dells.

The "true OEM" discs I mean are the holographic-covered ones that come in an OEM Windows package that you buy. They can install any OEM key and will likewise prompt you for the key as well.

In other words, you need the right, not the left:

Uhh.... The one on the LEFT is what most, including Microsoft, would call an "OEM" CD......

They are pre-activated for Dell, but will ask for and accept a proper OEM key from any manufacturer. The only "crap" they add is a Dell folder on the hard drive.

Rick

 

[coreyspeed]

Uhh.... The one on the LEFT is what most, including Microsoft, would call an "OEM" CD......

They are pre-activated for Dell, but will ask for and accept a proper OEM key from any manufacturer. The only "crap" they add is a Dell folder on the hard drive.

Rick

No the one on the right is an offical microsoft hologram OEM disc, when you buy an oem licence then this is what will come in the pack along with the manual and COA

 

[red12049]

No the one on the right is an offical microsoft OEM disc, when you buy an oem licence then this is what will come in the pack along with the manual and COA

May I suggest politely that you double check your definition?

Rick

 

[coreyspeed]

May I suggest politely that you double check your definition?

Rick

???????



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[ATTech]

May I suggest politely that you double check your definition?

Rick

There appears to be a breakdown in communication here. There are holographic OEM disks; not all OEM disks come specifically from a manufacturer, despite what the name might suggest. A few examples:

http://shop.ebay.com/?_from=R40&_trksid=p5197.m570.l1313&_nkw=xp+professional+oem&_sacat=See-All-Categories

 

[PC Ops]

They're both OEM´s.....

I´ve slipstreamed a Dell OEM and I use it for all applicable XP reinstalls. I change the license key using RockXP4 afterwards, delete the Dell folder and then I activate online. No probs.

The answer to Pc/Technix´ original question is ofcourse yes, you can put it into your toolbox and use it without problems as long as your client has an oem coa.

Also I believe that 1 Vista CD can be used to install any version of Vista.

I have the same understanding but not a cd, only the Ultimate version on DVD. Windows 7: same story. About Vista I'm 90% sure, about Win 7 I'm 100% sure that there's not really a difference between the retail and oem dvd's. Legally yes, otherwise none whatsoever.

Cheers.

 

[Jory]

They're both OEM´s.....

I´ve slipstreamed a Dell OEM and I use it for all applicable XP reinstalls. I change the license key using RockXP4 afterwards, delete the Dell folder and then I activate online. No probs.

The answer to Pc/Technix´ original question is ofcourse yes, you can put it into your toolbox and use it without problems as long as your client has an oem coa.

I have the same understanding but not a cd, only the Ultimate version on DVD. Windows 7: same story. About Vista I'm 90% sure, about Win 7 I'm 100% sure that there's not really a difference between the retail and oem dvd's. Legally yes, otherwise none whatsoever.

Cheers.

Most Vista discs will work for any install no matter what version. Windows 7 is the same way. It doesn't have to be Ultimate. The only exceptions to this are some branded OEM discs, and maybe some Anytime Upgrade discs. I use Technet versions of both and have never had a problem.

 

[PC Ops]

Most Vista discs will work for any install no matter what version. Windows 7 is the same way. It doesn't have to be Ultimate....

I meant that the Ultimate versions have all other versions included (Starter/Home Basic/Home Premium/Professional in the case of Windows 7)

 

[Jory]

Yeah, but what I was saying is that non-ultimate versions have the exact same files on disc as the ultimate version does (with some exceptions). I know for a fact retail/technet versions of Vista are like this, and reasonably certain of the same for Windows 7.

 

[Alan22]

There are different license agreements on Branded OEM Discs and System Builder OEM Discs. Branded being Dell, HP, Acer, etc. System Builder being the holographic discs.

It's time to post this again: Microsoft OEM Licensing FAQ

Q. If I need to reinstall the operating system on a machine from a direct OEM (e.g., Dell) that my customer has brought in, how should I do this?

A. A customer who wants you to reinstall Windows must provide recovery media from the direct OEM, because the software is licensed to the customer for use on that PC by that OEM. You cannot use your own OEM System Builder media to reinstall the operating system, or any other version of media (e.g., TechNet, MSDN, Action Pack, etc.), because these versions differ from the original OEM Windows license your customer acquired from the direct OEM. A customer who doesn't have a backup copy of the software for reinstallation will need to contact the original OEM and request replacement recovery media; you can use that media to reinstall the operating system on that machine.

This comes direct from Microsoft. I've been beaten up for posting information like this in the past. But, never was anyone able to post a valid reference proving their opinions as fact. Whether or not something works is not the point. The point is doing what is legal. Just because something works or a workaround exists does not make it right or legal.