Windows 7 OEM

[River Valley Computer]

OK - after being in business for over 18 years we kind of felt that we 'somewhat' knew what we are doing and have been doing it right.

Case in point - customer brings in a Toshiba Laptop with Vista. He wants us to upgrade it to Windows 7 HP or Pro. We are a Microsoft Refurbisher - we of course know we can't use refurb licenses. I call two of our distributors and they both tell us we can use Windows 7 OEM. We just didn't feel comfortable with that. Called Microsoft tech support(?) - they were ABSOLUTELY of no assistance.

What is your take of it? The distributors said these were not specific OEM licenses e.g. Dell or HP, etc. They were just OEM.

Thanks in advance. (Can't want for the fun with Windows 19 - )

 

['putertutor]

I may be wrong, but in my interpretations, OEM is strictly for builders, which doesn't really apply in your case. Again, that's a pretty strict reading on my part, but I think that's where I would end up on it.

 

[JustInspired]

I asked the same thing not long ago http://www.technibble.com/forums/showthread.php?p=444779

 

[nlinecomputers]

OEM is strictly for those that build PCs and for new systems only.

Having said that Microsoft has flip flopped more then once on whether it is legal to use it for personal use, for upgrades, or to bring a pirated copy into a legal real version of Windows. Different versions of Windows have changed the terms, different departments in Microsoft have at various times given different answers, sometimes at the same time. I've had Microsoft reps online tell me you couldn't and Microsoft Reps at Partner T1 events in front of hundreds tell me the opposite.

One day it is yes you can use it, no you can't, must sell with hardware, not required to sell with hardware.

Bah!

The simple truth is this. Show me one example where Microsoft has gone in and shut down a PC shop for installing legally purchased non counterfeit copies of Windows. If Microsoft really gave a sh-t about it they would be kicking in doors and waving subpoenas. They don't.

Genuine piracy where you have cracked the installer to bypass activation they will stop. But somebody selling something that Microsoft has been paid for they will not bother you about.

One is piracy the other is bending the rules on licensing.

If they didn't want it sold they wouldn't let Amazon and Newegg sell it retail.

There are those on here that will disagree with me but I stand by my show me an example statement.

 

[Markverhyden]

Point the customer to an online source such as discountmountain.com, tell them to buy what they want and bring it in. Problem solved.

 

[River Valley Computer]

Yes Julian -- I did see that thread but I thought maybe, just maybe, someone MIGHT know the answer definitively. I know what the definition is of OEM but if you search the Web it seems OK to use (I know the Web is not always right) I just don't understand why MS would be so myopic as to shut down the sale of windows 7 - if it was to sell Win 8 that didn't work. Think of what they could be making.

 

[River Valley Computer]

Nlinecomputers I could not agree more and I think that is the stance we will take. They(MS) are not loosing money and they would not sell it thru distributors if they didn't want it sold. CASE CLOSED!!!!!!!!!!

 

[River Valley Computer]

Mark - we have used www.discountmountain.com before but lately it has been not coming up and saying that domain is available.

 

[katz]

I buy a fair amount of software from digital delivery downloads...very happy with them.

http://www.digitaldeliverydownloads.com

 

[Markverhyden]

Mark - we have used www.discountmountain.com before but lately it has been not coming up and saying that domain is available.

Worked the other day for me. Had a short notice setup of 2 VM's on 2 new iMacs. Had the customer buy 2 x W7 Pro OEM's for download no problem - about $75!!!. But I think they may have been targeted before by who knows. I remember seeing a few comments around here over the last few months about the site not being available.

 

[Rayspcsolutions]

This is the correct address i believe: http://www.discountmountainsoftware.com/

 

[nlinecomputers]

Mark - we have used www.discountmountain.com before but lately it has been not coming up and saying that domain is available.

Well crap. I purchased several Office 2013 licenses from them just a month ago.

Nevermind. Wrong URL.

 

[Markverhyden]

This is the correct address i believe: http://www.discountmountainsoftware.com/

Ray solved the mystery!

 

[glricht]

Mark - we have used www.discountmountain.com before but lately it has been not coming up and saying that domain is available.

Wrong URL, it's http://www.discountmountainsoftware.com/

 

[cypress]

I buy a fair amount of software from digital delivery downloads...very happy with them.

http://www.digitaldeliverydownloads.com

Didn't know about this site. Thank you.