The Mother Board

[chris754]

Hi
I have the RC version of Windows 7 but need to install the full version. Do I buy the upgrade or buy the OEM-I want to install on 3 at home
Thanks

[Mr T]

I would always go with the OEM.... It is the recommended way... backup all your stuff (esp drivers) and do a fresh install.... 1 licence, 1 computer too...
_________________
I have been programming on computers since the ZX81.
I am an apprentice trained Electronics Engineer with qualifications to back it up.
I have been repairing computers since 1996.
Yet to some people I still know nothing...

[fussnfeathers]

Recommended if you're the system builder, and agree that MS is not responsible for support. Plus all the goodies like installation activation if you need a new motherboard.

OEM: OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) license is a restricted version of Windows that included with a new computer. Manufacturers and vendors ship Windows with OEM license as it’s deeply discounted when compared with retail copy. OEM license has limitation that it can only perform a clean install or custom install, but not upgrade.
Since Windows Vista and including Windows 7, EULA of OEM license can only be installed on one computer, and is forever locked and bounded to the computer (motherboard) of which it’s installed. In Windows XP, OEM license can be installed on one computer at a time. OEM license is always the least expensive edition, but is available to OEMs only.

OEM license also has another variant called System Builder OEM license, which is also an OEM license with lesser discount, has all the same restrictions and limitations of OEM license. But System Builder OEM license may be available to general customer who purchased a new PC (or hardware) from a small system builder via retail store.

Hardware vendors perform OEM activation by associating the operating system to the firmware (basic input/output system, or BIOS) of the computer prior to shipping new PC to customer. So no additional actions are required by the user to activate Windows, except when user choose to activate Windows with COA (Certificate of Authenticity) product key, which normally pasted on the casing of the hardware, in the case of not installing Windows with OEM provided image.

Support for Windows with OEM license is provided by OEM or system builder, which is usually non-existent. So, end-users are virtually have to support their own.

•Volume Licensing: Volume licenses is a software license programs (depending on the Volume Licensing program, subscriber may receive media, or has the option to acquire media or supplemental media, documentation, and product support separately as needed) that are sold in bulk to corporate customers, in quantities of five or more at a time. There are actually many options and choices available for volume licensing, such as Open Value, Open Value Subscription, Open License, Select Plus, Select License, Enterprise Agreement, and Enterprise Subscription Agreement. Some editions of Windows, such as Windows 7 Enterprise, are available only through the Volume Licensing channel.
Again, depending on Volume Licensing programs or related entitlement customizations, Volume License may cover only upgrades to Windows client operating systems, and thus require qualifying OS licensing for each computer before upgrade rights obtained through Volume Licensing can be exercised on these computers.

Windows with volume license can be activated through Volume Activation models, which is through Key Management Service (KMS), a locally hosted activation services preactivated with Microsoft activation service normally used in large corporations with minimum activation threshold of 5 servers or 25 client computers (physical or virtual machines), and Multiple Activation Key (MAK), which similar to retail product key and used for one-time activation with Microsoft’s hosted activation services, independently or through MAK proxy.

There it is...........would you believe I was too lazy to link to the post, but more than happy to copy and paste?
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Mine go to 11

[Ripshod]

I've actually seen seen an OEM Windows 7 for 3 machines (quite a coincidence). Costs slightly less than 3 seperate licenses, but still cheaper than Volume Licenses. A company called CPC supplies them in the UK, have a search around, I'm sure they're not exclusive to the UK or CPC.



*edit*

Foot in mouth. The pricing on Ultimate makes no sense. shop around
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CALL &BD19 (If you need to ask you don't need to know)

[chris754]

Hey thanks guys-there are offers for 3 licence deals which is what I am going for. Its great that portable storage is so cheap now which menas the backup will be easy.