OEM Windows Media Center to Vista Home Premium.....
Discussion
A while ago I posted an offer Aria has for an OEM Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005 with a free upgrade to Vista. All for just 70 pounds!
I think some of you here were a little aghast by the fact that I bought the software without hardware, however since then, I have built a Media PC (with new hardware), and I was hoping somebody could direct me to the MS OEM policy document that states what you need to purchase an OEM license.
I've bought (so far and from different stores):
- A motherboard
- Graphics Card
- HTPC Case
- Memory
Does this qualify me now legally for the OEM license or am I still doing something wrong!?
I think some of you here were a little aghast by the fact that I bought the software without hardware, however since then, I have built a Media PC (with new hardware), and I was hoping somebody could direct me to the MS OEM policy document that states what you need to purchase an OEM license.
I've bought (so far and from different stores):
- A motherboard
- Graphics Card
- HTPC Case
- Memory
Does this qualify me now legally for the OEM license or am I still doing something wrong!?
beanbag said:
I was hoping somebody could direct me to the MS OEM policy document that states what you need to purchase an OEM license.
Does this qualify me now legally for the OEM license or am I still doing something wrong!?
Does this qualify me now legally for the OEM license or am I still doing something wrong!?
http://oem.microsoft.com/downloads/Pu
In short, no it doesn't and yes you are (in that order ;-) ).
clived said:
beanbag said:
I was hoping somebody could direct me to the MS OEM policy document that states what you need to purchase an OEM license.
Does this qualify me now legally for the OEM license or am I still doing something wrong!?
Does this qualify me now legally for the OEM license or am I still doing something wrong!?
http://oem.microsoft.com/downloads/Pu
In short, no it doesn't and yes you are (in that order ;-) ).
What's this got to do with a system builder license? Surely we're talking about a Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005 OEM License and that's a different thing....right?
plasticpig said:
clived said:
No. OEM licences are only available to System Builders.
Although confusingly you dont actually have to build computer systems to be a system builder. We are registered as a system builder but we only buy OEM MS Office to distribute with new PC's from Acer, HP etc.
I read something about becoming a licensed system builder with Microsoft. I know where to do this, but is it free and what are the terms? Do I have to provide MS with reports or do anything or is it just a case of registering?
Maybe PlasticPig can answer that as they've been through the process.
Doing so would not make your existing software legal, nor could you use any OEM licensed s/w you obtained through that route with the hardware you already have....
I think in short you've failed to remember that if something looks too good to be true....
Doing so would not make your existing software legal, nor could you use any OEM licensed s/w you obtained through that route with the hardware you already have....
I think in short you've failed to remember that if something looks too good to be true....
Edited by clived on Wednesday 13th December 17:03
Beanbag, when you worry about licence costs, have you considered installing a Linux distribution on your computer? It's free and legal. Download one, burn it on DVD, boot&install and select all the apps to add and off you go.
Ubuntu Novell SuSE Redhat Fedora
Ignore this question when you want to use the box for hardcore gaming.
Ubuntu Novell SuSE Redhat Fedora
Ignore this question when you want to use the box for hardcore gaming.
m12_nathan said:
Bodo said:
Ignore this question when you want to use the box for hardcore gaming.
or you want to run MS Media Center
Lol, yeah! Unfortunately I really don't like Linux. At least not for everyday computing. All the applications begin with "K" and it takes about a day to install a driver, etc....
I think I'll stick with Windows (apart from the fact that I want to use Media Centre), as mentioned by m12
Though technically possibly outside the terms of the agreement, you have, by building your own machine taken on the role of an OEM for the support part of the licence, and this is pretty much the only bit MS care about in terms of the price difference.
IME MS are fine with it, I've always done OEM OS on home builds and I've never had an activation problem accross machine upgrades or anything.
Realaistically what's the worst than happen? Your software won't activate, you phone MS, they tell you You pay whatever they tell you is right.
IME MS are fine with it, I've always done OEM OS on home builds and I've never had an activation problem accross machine upgrades or anything.
Realaistically what's the worst than happen? Your software won't activate, you phone MS, they tell you You pay whatever they tell you is right.
clived said:
Maybe PlasticPig can answer that as they've been through the process.
Doing so would not make your existing software legal, nor could you use any OEM licensed s/w you obtained through that route with the hardware you already have....
I think in short you've failed to remember that if something looks too good to be true....
Doing so would not make your existing software legal, nor could you use any OEM licensed s/w you obtained through that route with the hardware you already have....
I think in short you've failed to remember that if something looks too good to be true....
Edited by clived on Wednesday 13th December 17:03
When I registered it was a simple process of filling in a few forms on the website. It was free. I wasn't asked to provide proof of anything. Having said that we were already an MS partner so iit maybe different if you aren't .
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