[mac2708]

Last Thursday (17/01/2013) a friend took delivery of a new PC from ebuyer which was supplied wihout an operating system

I installed OEM Windows 7 Home Premium 64bit purchased from a reputable online dealer. This was duly activated and data from her old PC was transferred to the new PC and several programs installed.

On Sunday morning the PC refused to boot and, to cut a long story short, is being returned to ebuyer for replacement - after all it worked for less than 3 days.

I am aware of the limitations on OEM versions of W7 so how would you rate the chances of Microsoft being understanding/co-operative about installing it on the replacement PC as, I doubt, that ebuyer would not get further involved except replacing the PC

[Johnbee]

It is not a good idea to ask for help to do something illegal on here.

[Maxatoria]

Assuming the hardware's the same it may require a phone call to MS activation line but i'd put it down to replacement of fault hardware

[max99]

It might activate online without any problem. If it doesn't, the automated phone system will likely accept it. If that doesn't work either, you'll be put through to the activation team, who are usually quite helpful. I wouldn't bother complicating things by mentioning the replacement machine, so just tell them that you had to reinstall W7 again after something went wrong with the new computer. The simpler you keep it, the better.

[Ulysses777]

Originally Posted by Johnbee

It is not a good idea to ask for help to do something illegal on here.

It is legal to buy OEM Windows.

It is legal to contact Microsoft about activation problems.

Substantiate your 'illegal' claim, or withdraw it.

[mred2000]

Originally Posted by Ulysses777

It is legal to buy OEM Windows.

It is legal to contact Microsoft about activation problems.

Substantiate your 'illegal' claim, or withdraw it.

Is he getting at the issue of OEM software supposedly being only for machines you're building yourself?

In this instance a full retail version should probably have been bought but, heck, even I've considered OEM versions as a cheap option in the past!

[ClarkF1]

You might get around it okay.

I've had no problems reactivating after changing hardware when it's asked.

A couple of times in the past the activation software's asked me to ring up.

I've spoken to the person and they've provided the key for me to enter to manually activate.

If you or your friend explain the situation you shouldn't have a problem.

[mac2708]

Thanks for the positive advice.
After doing some more research I've got a feeling that a chat with Microsoft should sort the matter without too much difficulty.

As regards the remark

Originally Posted by Johnbee

It is not a good idea to ask for help to do something illegal on here.

It is perfectly legal to buy and install an OEM copy or a lot of dealers are in trouble e.g.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Microsoft-Wi.../dp/B004Q0PT3I
http://www.scan.co.uk/products/micro...tem-single-oem

[mred2000]

Originally Posted by mac2708

It is perfectly legal to buy and install an OEM copy or a lot of dealers are in trouble e.g.

http://www.scan.co.uk/products/micro...tem-single-oem

I think OEM copies are meant to be installed on kit you have built from scratch. In this instance, to be 100% safe (not that anyone will check), you probably should've picked up the retail version. But you saved money by getting the OEM. I think this is what Johnbee was getting at.

http://graphicssoft.about.com/od/glossary/f/oemsoftware.-UFl.htm

[paulj48]

Originally Posted by Johnbee

It is not a good idea to ask for help to do something illegal on here.

It's not illegal but it is against Microsofts licensing agreement (and you could be taken to a civil court) although that would be very unlikely.

The advantage of a Retail copy is you can install it on as many different machines as you want (only one at a time though) so can be worth it in the long run.

[Ulysses777]

The Windows 7 OEM EULA only specifies how the software can be distributed/sold to an end user.

It does not state that it must be distributed, nor does it explicitly prohibit personal use. In any case, you could comply with the distribution clauses by selling the computer to your dog for £1

OEM versions are cheaper, but at the expense of no technical support from Microsoft, and a non-transferable activation (unless authorised by Microsoft).

[max99]

Originally Posted by Ulysses777

OEM versions are cheaper, but at the expense of.... a non-transferable activation

That's where the big grey question mark lies. It's already been installed and activated on one machine, but now needs to be installed on the replacement. Technically, it's a different machine, but in reality, it will probably activate without too much fuss.

If you were to ask MS, you'd no doubt get different answers from different departments. Most of them vague and inconclusive.

[anniebrion]

Originally Posted by max99

That's where the big grey question mark lies. It's already been installed and activated on one machine, but now needs to be installed on the replacement. Technically, it's a different machine, but in reality, it will probably activate without too much fuss.

If you were to ask MS, you'd no doubt get different answers from different departments. Most of them vague and inconclusive.

To activate on another PC you just need to tell the MS bod on the phone that you had to replace the motherboard due to a failure and they will then reactivate without further question

[BrokenArrow]

OEM versions are sold with hardware, you are not supposed to be able to purchase them on their own, could be a just a disk drive, but some computer hardware must accompany the software.

Technically, if your hardware fails then you send the OEM software back with the hardware and get a new OEM copy back that will install on your new hardware.

[Ulysses777]

Originally Posted by BrokenArrow

OEM versions are sold with hardware, you are not supposed to be able to purchase them on their own, could be a just a disk drive, but some computer hardware must accompany the software.

Technically, if your hardware fails then you send the OEM software back with the hardware and get a new OEM copy back that will install on your new hardware.

That hasn't been needed since the XP days.

Do you know anything that isn't 6 years out of date?

[mred2000]

Originally Posted by Ulysses777

That hasn't been needed since the XP days.

Do you know anything that isn't 6 years out of date?

I've had internal drives that have included OEM Nero suites, I don't think the poster was necessarily meaning drivers. But you cut him up real good.

[Johnbee]

Listen folks, an OEM version is supposed to die along with the PC on which it was installed. You might be of the opinion that this is wrong and so feel justified in saying things like 'it was only the motherboard that needed replacing', and hope to get away with it. Indeed there is plenty of such advice on the web. But if you openly chat about them on forums such as this, the companies will introduce more stringent protection which might be a blooming nuisance for a while.

[Ulysses777]

Originally Posted by Johnbee

Listen folks, an OEM version is supposed to die along with the PC on which it was installed. You might be of the opinion that this is wrong and so feel justified in saying things like 'it was only the motherboard that needed replacing', and hope to get away with it. Indeed there is plenty of such advice on the web.

If the OP can prove that it was faulty and has been returned (with an RMA for example) and the replacement is identical, then the OP is perfectly entitled to contact Microsoft and ask if they can do something about the activation.

In what way are you suggesting that the OP will "hope to get away with it"? Get away with what? Multiple activations? Motherboard upgrade? Are you suggesting that the OP is lying about their situation?

And as for:

But if you openly chat about them on forums such as this, the companies will introduce more stringent protection which might be a blooming nuisance for a while.

What are you talking about? The OP asked if Microsoft will allow reactivation on the replacement, and the replies on here have advised to contact Microsoft. Nothing wrong with that at all. Again, are you assuming the OP is lying?

[Superwomble]

Originally Posted by paulj48

The advantage of a Retail copy is you can install it on as many different machines as you want (only one at a time though) so can be worth it in the long run.

Yep. I have a retail copy of XP Pro from the early days that has been on three consecutive machines prior to the current one it is on, with no problems. The W7 Utimate copy Im using now is also retail and likely to be used for the next 10 or 15 years.

OEM might seem like the cheap option but it isnt always.

[Maxatoria]

Originally Posted by Johnbee

Listen folks, an OEM version is supposed to die along with the PC on which it was installed. You might be of the opinion that this is wrong and so feel justified in saying things like 'it was only the motherboard that needed replacing', and hope to get away with it. Indeed there is plenty of such advice on the web. But if you openly chat about them on forums such as this, the companies will introduce more stringent protection which might be a blooming nuisance for a while.

Lets just say with some knowledge pretty much anything MS or anyone else produce will be able to be bypassed with ease so being even semi honest is better than being truely naughty

[Orbitalzone]

As usual a load of incorrect bollox with OEM licences being spouted out as fact....

LOOBSTER WHERE ARE YOU?

[alternate]

MS are happy to get some money for their OS. Can't be too proud when it is so easy for people to pirate it.. Going after a paying user for not buying the right version would do them no favours.

[Orbitalzone]

I suspect the most technically correct answer is that you need to purchase a new licence as the entire machine will be replaced. If however the supplier only replaced the motherboard with an exact same make and model then Microsoft will happily reactivate your original licence for the new motherboard.

The reality is that most people would get an exact replacement PC and tell Microsoft they had the motherboard replaced.....

JohnBee despite being a little over dramatic is correct in one aspect, people don't like to be told that their OEM software can't be transferred etc. just because they think it should be possible.

Anyway, as the OEM Windows licencing no longer allows for individuals to use OEM for their own PC or friends/family unless they're selling to 3rd parties and providing support etc (eg a system builder) you shouldn't be using OEM so you can't really win

(I'm happy to be corrected on any of this however)

[paulj48]

Originally Posted by Ulysses777

The Windows 7 OEM EULA only specifies how the software can be distributed/sold to an end user.

It does not state that it must be distributed, nor does it explicitly prohibit personal use.

I'm not 100% sure that your correct with the above.

This is an interesting read that contradicts your statement above.

http://www.zdnet.com/blog/bott/is-it...microsoft/1561

As a side note OEM versions of Windows 7 and 8 have to be installed using the OPK preinstallation kit to comply with the license, the Op hasnt mentioned if he did or not.

[Orbitalzone]

Indeed, several websites have articles about how Win7 OEM licence no longer allows OEM for personal use, only for installing and selling on a PC to third parties.