OEM Reminder to all new/1st time builders

B

bldgengineer

New Member
OEM means just that. When you buy a hard drive or dvd drive or another item that is OEM, you more than likely WILL NOT receive cables or software or an instruction book. If you want and need these things make sure you either purchase them seperately or buy retail spec'd items.

Just thought I would thow out a reminder as it seems some people are forgetting this simple little thing.
 
With the OEM releases of the new versions of Windows a small booklet and new style plastic dvd case is what you can expect there. The larger retail package includes the full size book and cardboard box as a rule. Prebuilt systems will generally include software disks for preinstalled programs and a recovery disk for repair or reinstallation of the operating system along the user's manual on that particular model. I had to add that in as well.
 
Although if you're purchasing an OEM drive as part of a new system, the motherboard should include all required cables.
 
When buying ide or sata drives as well as optical drives OEM you won't generally see any cable included except the small audio cable for an optical at times only. I've received OEM burners without the audio cable but then never needed it simce sound was always carried through the ide bus even with music cds. While drive cables are available just about anywhere certain items needed on the board like adapters included for adding usb ports shows the need for buying them retail.
 
Yes, checking for OEM and Retail is very important...when I ordered my 2 Sata drives, I got them only to realize that my motherboard only came with 1 SATA cable...not a huge deal, but it just caused some delays...

Although, there are other things that I've bought OEM that surprise me with what they've included. For example my speakers (Logitech X-530) speakers are listed as OEM, but the only thing OEM about them is they're not shipped in a colorful box.
 
I am real worried now. I bought 2 OEM products thinking they were a good deal, a seagate baracuda hard drive and a LG dvd burner. Will this come with installation cd's or what as I am very confused and this is my first build
 
FOr a burner and an HDD you dont need installation CDs, you will just need some cables most likely... i never worry about it, as i have a million extra IDE and SATA cables, but this is a downer for some people.
 
When you go into a store that sells complete systems even a place like Walmart with eMachines being sold there the system will come with an OEM recovery disk along with all cables and software disks preinstalled on the system. That's part of packaging seen in the large single carton in a small usually plain colored box for the disks and separate plastic bags for cables, paperwork, manual, etc..

Custom builders selling retail from their shop have to warranty their work in order to let's say "stay afloat". Most however generally take orders for upgrades sold to businesses while others simply sell off a few new cases while mainly being a repair shop.
 
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