Win 7 OEM -- questions before I buy it

[Matt_]

(1) Two well-known online retailers use two different names (below) for the disc. Are they the same disc ?

"Microsoft Windows 7 Professional SP1 32-bit (Slim Envelope) - OEM"
vs
"Windows 7 Professional SP1 32bit (Full) System Builder OEM DVD 1 Pack (New Packaging)"
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(2) What does this quote (below) mean, and what is involved when the OEM disc requires you to call Microsoft for a "semi-activation" ? Do you have to speak with a person ? Do you have to call during certain hours ? How will I know what phone number to call ?

"I have no trouble at all moving OEM versions of Windows Vista and Windows 7 to other machines. The downside is that you have to call Microsoft for a semi-automated activation."
source: (link)
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(3) I don't understand this quote (below). What does the IBM/Lenovo battery have to do with the activation key ? If 50% of the time a customer has to call Microsoft for the activation code, does that mean that the OEM disc does not come with an activation code ?

"If your copy of Windows 7 is an OEM copy, then yes you can install it. It will use the key in the battery bay. I have noticed from personal experience that it will activate about 50% of the time. If not, not worries it's a super quick call to Microsoft to get the activation code. If they ask how many copies have been installed, say zero."
source: (link)
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(4) Bottom line -- is a Win 7 OEM disc installable on any of our family's T42 Thinkpad R50p Thinkpad, and ThinkCentre M55 desktop machines ? I want to ask before I purchase 3x OEM discs.
I've searched this forum, and I haven't seen someone explicitly answer whether or not Win 7 OEM is installable

Thank you in advance for your time and help!

[jayton4]

1. Yes, it is different packaging. You can search the two Microsoft item numbers and see that it is at hundreds of retailers, not two.

FQC-08279
FQC-04617


2. This person is talking about the Microsoft's OEM licenses being non-transferable. The bottom line is that when you are using OEM licensing, the license is supposed to die with the computer. For example, if the motherboard goes bad and you obtain a different computer, you are not supposed to be able to use that license anymore on your new computer. The other comment is another person saying that they are able to get Microsoft to bend the rules by giving them acall. Depending on your situation or reasoning, a call to Microsoft can sometimes get them to allow the transfer.

3. The OEM disc does come with an activation code. The situation this person is describing sounds like they just need the disc. On computers that have Windows 7 certificate stickers under their battery do not need to buy Windows 7, they can just simply download the .iso. So this is not related to your situation.

4. Yes. It will install and activate on your computers without any worries about calling Microsoft and telling fibs.

[Matt_]

Thank you for helping me ! I read and understood your replies.

May I ask three follow-up questions ?

(1)
"1. Yes, it is different packaging. You can search the two Microsoft item numbers and see that it is at hundreds of retailers, not two.
FQC-08279
FQC-04617"

Since Microsoft does not provide any customer support for purchased OEM discs, "different packaging" means that the difference between those two item numbers is just cosmetic (i.e., the box or housing that the disc is inside of) ? If there is an minor but appreciable difference, which item number do you prefer ?
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(2)
Prior to your reply, I came across a post by a forum member at another forum who posted something that confused me. Is he saying I'll have to contact the retailer (where I purchased the OEM disc) for the activation key ?

"Usually for an OEM license you can't use Microsoft's automated service to activate and instead need to contact your system retailer as Microsoft is not obligated to help the end-user in any way. I've actually had one instance where a customer had difficulty re-activating his copy of Vista installed on a new hard drive to which I had to call up Microsoft and pay $18 for them to help solve a problem that was their fault. However, they said that if the problem wasn't on their end, they would have helped through the OEM hotline for free. Weird, eh?
source: (link)
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(3)
I'm new to OEM discs. Is there a rule of thumb to predict how much longer retailers will sell or be allowed to sell an OEM Windows 7 disc ?
I'm doing my research on how to install Windows 7 on an IBM/Lenovo and think I can successfully install it. But I think I'd feel safer purchasing one disc instead of investing in 3x discs if I'm not capable of installing Windows 7.

[jayton4]

1. I would have absolutely no preference myself. In fact some retailers don't even recognize the difference and will sell either one under the same sku.


2. The license, activation key, certificate of authenticity, and disc should all be included in the package for either SKU. If not, then definitely contact your retailer. Whatever it is this comment is talking about, it doesn't apply to your situation. Those folks are comparing Windows 7 Retail (which has a license that can be freely transferred from one machine to another) Vs. OEM (no transfers, no support). It gets much more complicated than that, and Microsoft is very inconsistent in enforcing the rules they lay out. From what I have read of your post, it seems like you just want to get Windows 7 working on your computers. As long as you aren't trying to take your OEM license off one computer and activate that same license on another computer, then none of those comments are relevant to you.

3. The cut off for being able to sell OEM Windows 7 is when inventory is gone. To my knowledge, Windows 7 discs are no longer being pressed. ISO copies will still likely remain available to download on the internet for a long time (forever perhaps?) for folks that already have a license, but lost their disc for whatever reason.

If you are really this interested in learning and about how to install Windows 7 on an IBM/Lenovo and are concerned about future availability of Windows 7, then allow me give you a few search terms to read about that would send you down the path that I would recommend for you:
SLIC 2.1
Offline activation
xrm-ms files
T42 SLIC
R50p SLIC
M55 SLIC
digitalriver iso SP1 media refresh
Official Windows 7 Repository Part 6, Sections F-a and F-b

[Matt_]

Thank you again for being so patient and interested in helping.

I read your reply several times. In view of the information you gave me that I was unaware of, I think this is something where I can't risk not buying 3x discs now especially while the opportunity is still available to obtain them from my choice of either of two well-known online retailers.

"From what I have read of your post, it seems like you just want to get Windows 7 working on your computers. As long as you aren't trying to take your OEM license off one computer and activate that same license on another computer, then none of those comments are relevant to you."

*nod* That's correct. On all three, I want to install Windows 7 over Windows XP because if any one of them fails, then my family has a back-up computer with the ability to connect to the internet for our household affairs like banking and shopping.

[Matt_]

Thank you, jayton4

I am typing to you from an R50p after successfully installing Windows 7, the security updates, and the ThinkPad drivers.

I am very grateful for all your help

[RealBlackStuff]

I'm sure you must have seen this message under your username: User with bad email address, PLEASE fix!
Click on User Control Panel at the top of this page, once there click on Profile, and then on Edit account settings, where you can change your email address.
Good luck.

[Matt_]

Prior to asking for help with upgrading to Windows 7 OEM, I had not logged in to here for a long time.

After logging in, I updated the email address to the same outlook email address that I use for another forum.

My email address on this forum is up to date.

[JKeith]

There are 2 kinds of OEM (original equipment manufacturer) system builder software packs. 1 is for major equipment builders (branded) like Dell, HP, Lenovo, etc. and the 2nd is for small business, hobbiest, repair shops (unbranded). They are not intended for for distribution to end users. Unless the end user is actually assembling his/her own PC, in which case, that end user is considered a system builder as well.
The difference in OEM and Retail is that OEM does not allow moving the OS to a different computer. But like the Windows OS itself, there are several loop holes and vulnerabilities that can be exploited, and Microsoft has done a poor job with their communications on the subject, just as they have done a poor job of patching up and fixing all the bugs in their OS over the years and communicating to the public just how vulnerable Windows really is. If you buy a PC with Windows OEM pre-installed on a Dell, HP, Gateway, etc. and you have a system failure, you can usually reinstall the OS as long as its on the same mobo on "unbranded" systems or the same manufacturer's device on "branded" systems. Either way, it's as easy as making a phone call to Microsoft and speaking to an automated operator and getting the key re-authenticated so you can re-install the OEM to another PC. On "branded" versions it's possible to move the OS without calling. Basically, they just want to make sure your not using it on more than one PC at any given time. Most of the time if you download a copy of Windows OS from an online retailer, your getting an OEM version. You just can't get automatic updates. For official Windows OS you have to go to digitalriver.com or an approved website.
All Windows CD are the same, it doesn't matter whether your using Home, Pro, Premium, Ultimate, OEM or Retail. It's the product key that determines what version you use. You don't even need a CD. Just download Windows 7 SP1 ISO and create a bootable USB drive. A lot of newer laptops don't even have a cd drive. Official Windows 7 sp1 iso ----> http://www.ghacks.net/2011/07/31/window ... downloads/
ISO to USB program, need atleast 4gb -----> http://rufus.akeo.ie/
You can also run Android 4.4.2 OS on laptop or PC, seperate from Windows -----> https://code.google.com/p/android-x86/downloads/list
Or search Google for latest Chrome OS. Its about time for Windows to retire.