Question about oem's

JohnDoH! · 11-19-2006, 10:52 PM

I was just wondering but if I were to reformat my computer for whatever reason and I purchased an Oem, say OEM window xp home, would i still be able to use the OEM? and reformat as in restarting my computer and right before window logo appears in dos the option to reformat my harddrive by pressing f8, blah blah blah.

I've noticed that window xp on newegg has the candidate upgrade vista thing, if I were to reformat my computer and it does allow me to use the OEM Cd then can I upgrade to window vista again? or would I only be able to use window xp.

If I reformat my Harddrive, and since my dvd-rw is a Oem, does that mean I wont be able to use the drive? or the software like nero/cyberlink that came with the Oem drive? or both?

Emperor_nero · 11-19-2006, 10:59 PM

OEM just means that it doesn't come with the fancy packaging and yes you should be able to install it after reformating you might have to call MS though.

henryjsaunders · 11-22-2006, 07:34 PM

i agree

David_UK · 11-24-2006, 08:18 PM

I reformatted and reinstalled XP home using a different XP CD from the original (this one was OEM) but I used the original product key from the PC CoA label. No problems, didn't have to call microsoft. I think the product key and whatever ID the PC sends are just checked against each other.

If you don't have a CoA label on the PC, use 'Magical Jelly Bean' NOW to make a record of your product key. Then you could just borrow an XP CD to reinstall.

SirKenin · 11-25-2006, 08:05 AM

It is "illegal" to sell OEM Windows without hardware. If they are doing it, Microsoft can bust them large.

With that said, it will install on any computer. The activation just makes a hash of the hardware that's in it and reports that to Microsoft. They can use that to identify if it's installed on more than one computer. Other than that, they have no idea whether you bought the Windows with the computer or not.

Emperor_nero · 11-25-2006, 08:08 AM

I think your wrong SirKenin take a look here:

http://www.newegg.com/ProductSort/Su...rating-Systems

SirKenin · 11-25-2006, 08:21 AM

No, I'm not wrong. I'm a vendor, I know the rules (I have to). I have bought and sold a zillion copies of Windows.

Newegg might be doing it, but they can get busted if they get caught. I have run into a few dealers that do it. Most of them, though, will not. It even tells you right on the box on a nice red label (you buy them by the box or individually) that it is not to be sold without hardware.

Emperor_nero · 11-25-2006, 08:24 AM

I really doubt that newegg would be doing anything illegal

chrisalviola · 11-25-2006, 08:25 AM

does OEM includes the cd key? we have use a single cd key in all our PC's here they said its already been taken cared off by our main office branch. for me it sounds fishy

Emperor_nero · 11-25-2006, 08:26 AM

Sound fishy to me to

11-19-2006, 10:52 PM	#1 (permalink)
JohnDoH! Silver Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 225	Question about oem's I was just wondering but if I were to reformat my computer for whatever reason and I purchased an Oem, say OEM window xp home, would i still be able to use the OEM? and reformat as in restarting my computer and right before window logo appears in dos the option to reformat my harddrive by pressing f8, blah blah blah. I've noticed that window xp on newegg has the candidate upgrade vista thing, if I were to reformat my computer and it does allow me to use the OEM Cd then can I upgrade to window vista again? or would I only be able to use window xp. If I reformat my Harddrive, and since my dvd-rw is a Oem, does that mean I wont be able to use the drive? or the software like nero/cyberlink that came with the Oem drive? or both? __________________ P4 3.2gb Cpu + CNPS9500 H&F / ASUS P5PE-VM Mobo / 320(in)+320(out) Hdd's / 1 Gig Ddr Ram / XFX FX5200 Gpu / 19" Lcd Widescreen / 140mm Psu / Apollo Case

11-19-2006, 10:59 PM	#2 (permalink)
Emperor_nero Diamond Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: 127.0.0.1 Posts: 2,313	OEM just means that it doesn't come with the fancy packaging and yes you should be able to install it after reformating you might have to call MS though. __________________ I play Rugby, and no its not like it's sissy cousin with the pads.

11-22-2006, 07:34 PM	#3 (permalink)
henryjsaunders Silver Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 190	i agree __________________ Serving your everyday needs, Mr Saunders www.henryjsaunders.com

11-25-2006, 08:08 AM	#6 (permalink)
Emperor_nero Diamond Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: 127.0.0.1 Posts: 2,313	I think your wrong SirKenin take a look here: http://www.newegg.com/ProductSort/Su...rating-Systems __________________ I play Rugby, and no its not like it's sissy cousin with the pads.

11-25-2006, 08:24 AM	#8 (permalink)
Emperor_nero Diamond Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: 127.0.0.1 Posts: 2,313	I really doubt that newegg would be doing anything illegal __________________ I play Rugby, and no its not like it's sissy cousin with the pads.

11-24-2006, 08:18 PM	#4 (permalink)
David_UK Silver Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 121	I reformatted and reinstalled XP home using a different XP CD from the original (this one was OEM) but I used the original product key from the PC CoA label. No problems, didn't have to call microsoft. I think the product key and whatever ID the PC sends are just checked against each other. If you don't have a CoA label on the PC, use 'Magical Jelly Bean' NOW to make a record of your product key. Then you could just borrow an XP CD to reinstall.

11-25-2006, 08:05 AM	#5 (permalink)
SirKenin banned Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 4,711	It is "illegal" to sell OEM Windows without hardware. If they are doing it, Microsoft can bust them large. With that said, it will install on any computer. The activation just makes a hash of the hardware that's in it and reports that to Microsoft. They can use that to identify if it's installed on more than one computer. Other than that, they have no idea whether you bought the Windows with the computer or not.

11-25-2006, 08:21 AM	#7 (permalink)
SirKenin banned Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 4,711	No, I'm not wrong. I'm a vendor, I know the rules (I have to). I have bought and sold a zillion copies of Windows. Newegg might be doing it, but they can get busted if they get caught. I have run into a few dealers that do it. Most of them, though, will not. It even tells you right on the box on a nice red label (you buy them by the box or individually) that it is not to be sold without hardware.

11-25-2006, 08:25 AM	#9 (permalink)
chrisalviola Platinum Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 866	does OEM includes the cd key? we have use a single cd key in all our PC's here they said its already been taken cared off by our main office branch. for me it sounds fishy

11-25-2006, 08:26 AM	#10 (permalink)
Emperor_nero Diamond Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: 127.0.0.1 Posts: 2,313	Sound fishy to me to __________________ I play Rugby, and no its not like it's sissy cousin with the pads.

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