Win XP Pro OEM vs. Full Retail

[Savage1701]

Can someone help me out with this. I keep reading that an OEM copy can only be "tied" or "licensed" to one machine, so that upgrading, past a certain point, is not allowed. However, if I own the "full" or "retail" version, I can move that license from any one computer to another as many times as I want, providing of course that I don't attempt to run both computers at once. Does that sound correct? Or does Microsoft allow people to move OEM licenses in the same manner? My primary concern is upgrading. If I want to move from a 478 P4 to a 775 Dual Core, just about all the hardware is going to be substantially different, and I am sure I would exceed the number of points that can be changed and trigger a re-activation requirement. I'm not trying to do anything illegal, I just want to know what licensed I need up front so I don't have to keep buying OEM licenses every time I upgrade. Thanks for any help.

 

[howard_hopkinso]

You are quite correct.

If you plan on doing lots of upgrading, then the retail version of Windows xp is the way to go.

Regards Howard

 

[Savage1701]

Thank you for your reply. That is what I suspected, and I have no problem paying the extra money to be able to do that legally.

 

[Tedster]

I have to partially disagree howard. It really depends on the make and manufactuer to the OEM CD. (Although in most cases upgrading an OEM machine - like laptops is limited anyway so the point is moot.)

 

[wallabing]

I've been thorugh this.

Yes, you can change hardware on an OEM cd. If you Change it signifiacntly and you have to re-activate, you have to call in to microsoft and they will give you a new activation code.

OEM is different from retail because OEM cd version:

-Comes in a envelope instead of a nice blue box and has no manual.
-Has no support. You have to pay to get support ( except activation centers which are free)
-You cant return OEM versions at all or get refunds at all.
-Cant install on an existing operating system. You have to reformat and do a clean install. You can however reinstall on the same OEM copy.
(e.g. installing windows XP pro OEM on windows 2000 pro will be unsuccesful)

 

[Samstoned]

you can't change the motherboard and some oems are not upgradable as far as service packs go
stick with retail or learn linux

 

[Savage1701]

OK, well, the OEM copy is one purchased from a .com store where I bought the CPU, MB, etc. so I am not trying to take a Dell or HP OEM license and put it on my plain vanilla system. That's what I am wondering about. Can I move an OEM copy of XP Pro from system to new system. I don't need support and I am not concerned about having to install clean, etc.

Thanks again for any thoughts on the matter.