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ReaperOfSly
Gallente
Lyrus Associates
Enuma Elish.
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Posted - 2007.12.24 21:06:00 -
[1]
I have this installed on my home built computer, but I still haven't worked out exactly how the OEM thing works (apart from it being about a third the price of retail, and not getting tech support). I know it won't activate if installed on a different computer, but how exactly does it tell one computer from another? Is it just the motherboard? Other bits too?
I ask because eventually, I'm going to want to upgrade my computer. And I'll probably have cause to reinstall the OS from time to time. So how much can I upgrade my computer before it throws a wobbly and refuses to activate, accusing me of using a different computer?
Any help would be great 
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Cvuos
GoonFleet
GoonSwarm
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Posted - 2007.12.24 21:11:00 -
[2]
OEM just means it is a subsidized version sold together with a major piece of hardware (HDD, motherboard). It will create a hardware profile of your stuff and if you change too much it will refuse to activate. From what I know (someone confirm/deny) you can ask MS customer service to reactivate you if you explain what's changed with your hardware. Probably a pain to talk to them though.
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Cvuos
GoonFleet
GoonSwarm
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Posted - 2007.12.24 21:13:00 -
[3]
To specifiy, the hardware profile means it reads the ID of your components as best it can and then registers this profile along with your win key. If you change too much it thinks it's on a different comp and refuses to activate.
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Bassy McBasshat
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Posted - 2007.12.24 21:16:00 -
[4]
 Originally by: Cvuos
OEM just means it is a subsidized version sold together with a major piece of hardware (HDD, motherboard). It will create a hardware profile of your stuff and if you change too much it will refuse to activate. From what I know (someone confirm/deny) you can ask MS customer service to reactivate you if you explain what's changed with your hardware. Probably a pain to talk to them though.
That is exactly what it does. As long as you have the balls to call microsoft, and the patience to wait for someone to answer, and the calmness not to kill the man who answers and says his name is ashley, you can reactivate your product. I have done it, I think 15 times now. But I recently snagged a corporate edition, so it's no longer an issue.
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Stickleback
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Posted - 2007.12.24 21:18:00 -
[5]
In the UK the Windows activation phone line is automated, if you just go through the process, type in the key etc, confess to having changed lots of hardware but say you had to due to hardware failure (that's important) then it will spit out the activation code.
The reason why OEM versions are cheap is that they are supposed to only ever be on one machine it their lifetime.
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ReaperOfSly
Gallente
Lyrus Associates
Enuma Elish.
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Posted - 2007.12.24 21:19:00 -
[6]
That's fantastic news. 
Now tell me - is it cheaper to spend money on the phone bill waiting to get through to someone at Microsoft, or buy a new disk and licence? 
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Cvuos
GoonFleet
GoonSwarm
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Posted - 2007.12.24 21:22:00 -
[7]
If you're with your parents for xmas, the cheapest option is to call from their phone.
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ReaperOfSly
Gallente
Lyrus Associates
Enuma Elish.
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Posted - 2007.12.24 21:24:00 -
[8]
Originally by: Cvuos
If you're with your parents for xmas, the cheapest option is to call from their phone.
Heh, I'm not upgrading yet - just thinking about the future.
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Maculus
Gallente
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Posted - 2007.12.24 21:25:00 -
[9]
Originally by: ReaperOfSly
That's fantastic news.
Now tell me - is it cheaper to spend money on the phone bill waiting to get through to someone at Microsoft, or buy a new disk and licence?
Where I am its a freephone number to activate by telephone.
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Benco97
Gallente
Mineral Dynamics
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Posted - 2007.12.24 21:32:00 -
[10]
I have an OEM copy of XP pro that i've used so many times on different machines that the cd-key has been invalidated 4 times. First time it stopped working I called them and said something along the lines of "Lol mah computah died and I gots another one" and they gave me another CD key for free right there. i've had new keys 4 times for this one CD
Originally by: Kirjava
This man speaks the truth, when he farts we count the length in seconds and make squillions buying winning lottery tickets.
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Gone'Postal
Minmatar
Vengeance 8 Interceptors
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Posted - 2007.12.24 23:59:00 -
[11]
Build new rig, Install XP, try to actervate it, if it fails, you get a free phone number, automated service these days, instant renew of XP.
CCP: Were good at making empty promises..
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Kazuma Saruwatari
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Posted - 2007.12.25 00:01:00 -
[12]
I've got a XP Home OEM copy right now, I've had to ask Microsoft for a new key twice due to major harddrive failure once, and 2 years down the line, a brand new PC (using the same excuse I had for the first one).
Both worked out fine, though I imagine my next OS install will be Vista, considering the timing...
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