Thinkpads Forum

What is the difference between an OEM version of Windows XP Professional and a retail version of Windows XP Professional Complete besides the cost? I always thought the OEM version was only for the computer manufacturer or for someone who was puchasing major hardware to build a computer.

I use OEM operating systems for all the computers I build. Basically, OEM operating systems can only be used for one computer. If you change a major component, like the motherboard, you might have to get a new OS to go with it. That being said, I have changed every component except the motherboard on my workstation and still use the same OEM copy of XP Pro. I've had to revalidiate the OS a few times after changing hardware, but this has never been a problem. Even if you need to replace the motherboard, if you get a nice person at Microsoft and convince them you are not an international software bootlegger, odds are they'll let it slide.
The full version of the operating system allows you to take it off one computer and install it on another, as long as it is not installed on more than one computer at the same time.
Vista may be a different story, have to wait and see.

Do you need a reseller's license to purchase an OEM copy?

OEM versions of Windows come with hardware specific drivers and software for the machines for which they are tailored (e.g Thinkpad OEM Windows CDs will come with ThinkVantage software and drivers for the various lights on the machine, the ThinkLight, Fn+key combo drivers etc etc. The regular/generic drivers that would be on a retail disk might also be optimized for the specific type of hardware e.g USB drivers may optimized for a specific chipset etc etc.

This is the reason why using an OEM disk to install Windows on a machine that it not from that manufacturer is a surefire way to get the BSOD.

There are of course OEM versions of Windows such as that those sold by NewEgg when you buy hardware that are not customized in any way and are thus just standard Windows installs.

smugiri wrote: There are of course OEM versions of Windows such as that those sold by NewEgg when you buy hardware that are not customized in any way and are thus just standard Windows installs.

That's the ticket.

I went to the newegg website and didn't see anything about the necessity of purchasing hardware to get to purchase OEM version of Windows XP Professional.

MarT40 wrote:I went to the newegg website and didn't see anything about the necessity of purchasing hardware to get to purchase OEM version of Windows XP Professional.

You have to, try buying and you will see what I mean.

Most people just buy like a $2.99 mouse or something like that.

smugiri wrote:Most people just buy like a $2.99 mouse or something like that.

Microsoft changed the license agreement for OEM versions a while back and now it can only sold with a major piece of hardware major, like a complete system board. The days of getting it legally with a mouse, or even a hard drive, are supposed to be over.

Cheers,

Bill

Newegg suggests a rack mount computer case / OEM software combo that together cost almost as much as the retail version of the software.

I should have asked for the recovery disks when I purchased the laptop.

That's only a suggestion, you could probably buy anything you needed for your computer, you don't really need to buy anything. I've put OEM XP on at least ten computers, as recently as a couple months ago. MS never even asks, 99% of the time the activation, even by telephone, is completely automated. If you actually speak to a person, just tell them you are building or rebuilding a computer. You're not stealing it, it's just the software without MS support.

I have used the same WinXP OEM disc on multiple machines, though for each machine I use its own WinXP product key. However, using the same product key on more than one computer is illegal, even if Microsoft doesn't know about it and lets you activate it.

I think that first I will call Lenovo and see if I still can get recovery disks for a T40 since I can't make them using Rescue and Recovery.

If I can't then I'll consider purchasing a Windows XP Professional version or try the method of creating one's own install CD in another part of this forum.

Here, to get you started: Recovery CD part numbers - ThinkPad T40

ronbo613 wrote:You're not stealing it

If you breach the license agreement, you are acting illegally and unethically, no matter how you self-rationalise your activity.

Cheers,

Bill

Agreed.
I do not advocate doing anything illegal, but on the same token, I think you should pay for what you get.
Using OEM operating systems is common among computer builders and enthusiasts who do not require any technical support from Microsoft. "Regular" computer users(like my brother), may call Microsoft a dozen times for support that requires the time(in my brother's case, LOTS of time) of a MS technical support employee. It seems fair that the enthusiast who never calls for help should pay less.
Also, if a company like newegg.com is selling Microsoft software in a manner that MS is not happy with, I don't think they would be allowed to do it.

Microsoft support? Maybe, but there is this to consider. If you right click on My Computer and bring up Properties on a Thinkpad that has an original IBM install on it, you will see a little IBM logo to the bottom left of the window and four words above it, which are "Manufactured and supported by".

Microsoft don't generally support their own OEM products at all and boxed products might get one or two free calls. In the license terms for Windows (dating back to Windows 95), all OEM versions are to be supported by the person/company who built the machine, not Microsoft.

Terrahawk wrote:Microsoft support? Maybe, but there is this to consider. If you right click on My Computer and bring up Properties on a Thinkpad that has an original IBM install on it, you will see a little IBM logo to the bottom left of the window and four words above it, which are "Manufactured and supported by".

Microsoft don't generally support their own OEM products at all and boxed products might get one or two free calls. In the license terms for Windows (dating back to Windows 95), all OEM versions are to be supported by the person/company who built the machine, not Microsoft.

That's correct. When you buy a prebuilt computer with a Windows operating system, you are buying the package and support responsibility is the manufacturer's, which they charge you for as part of the price of the computer. They use OEM versions of Windows.
If an individual builds or reconfigures a computer from parts and installs a retail Windows operating system, if he has problems related to the software, included in the price of the software is Microsoft support. If the individual uses OEM Windows software, the responsibility of support is his and not Microsoft's. That's why OEM software is cheaper than retail, whether you are an individual purchasing a single copy, or a large company purchasing thousands of copies.