VISTA - saving some $$$$ (???)

not bad of an idea:
http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,1759,2086630,00.asp?kc=PCYH104059TX1B0100580

some clarifications:
http://news.yahoo.com/s/zd/20070126/tc_zd/199653

cheers ...

 

i guess this is for real:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16832116213

cheers ...

 

Ordered my OEM version the other day. I'm amazed that so few of the average users know about this option. Heck, I didn't when I upgraded to XP back when...coulda saved myself quite a bit of money....

 

Wow, wish I had researched this a bit before I paid 159 for the premium upgrade. I could of got the full version for 119.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16832116202

 

There might be a catch, its an oem copy, like the ones you get with a computer system, the license is for that system only, so if you upgrade to a new system, you will probably not be able to reactivate your oem copy, you'll have to buy another one. I've always used oem OS's, until the age of product activation, I upgrade my desktop often, so the extra cash for a retail version is worth it in the long run.

 

Crack ur mainboard. Then ur replacement will be like below.
1) Mainboard - $50
2) Another Vista - $100

which total up to $150...

 

$50 motherboards are scary.....very scary

 

So instead of the regular retail copy I can get this?

 

Yes, you can get this. Remember, it is an OEM version that cannot be moved from PC to PC. It's tied to the machine it is initially installed upon. That's why it's so cheap, just like Iceman said in his earlier post.

 

Hello people. It is so funny to read your conversation about Vista and money))). Just today I saw on the marketplace in Minsk Vista Final cracked + MS Office 2007 just for 4.5$ for DVD+CD. And no problem at all. Dont you have cracked windows in USA?

 

YO guys, i had XP on my pc, and installed VISTA, then i got attacked by virus, then i format my pc, and installed xp again, just from all the beginning, (have 2 different bought versions of xp) and couldnt install cause it says i dont have drive, it is all empty, like i dont have a drive to install anything, wtf happened :s, i've tried everything, but nothing :S someone pls help me ?

 

and btw all versions are bought !

 

i've also tried MS-DOS to do something, but it just wont find any drive on this pc, and on my notebook i have 200gb :S

 

Iceman and Lunatech are incorrect on how OEM licensing works.
It's even explained in the yahoo article linked in the first post.
OEM versions ARE full versions, but they don't come with a manual or any support. The purchaser is responsible for providing support.

Vista works the same way XP does.
If you upgrade your machine, you will have to reactivate (depending on how much hardware you replace), not repurchase.


PCNERD-
Please make your own thread for questions. Your posts are not related to this discussion.

 

umm, dont know how, im new

 

Not a problem. All you need to do, is click on the software tab, or wherever you issue is related. Then go look at the top of the page for where it says new thread, click on it, and make your thread. You will just need to put in a title and the body text, then submit it and you will be good to go!

 

OR, you can save money by purchasing through your university lol.

 

Yea, everywhere in torrent. But for the support and upgrades (and without meddling with the LAW), we ll go for the original.

Opps... the guy i reply to just deleted his post.

 

There are relativity good chances that those torrents may have extra "goodies" stashed in there...goodies that you definitely won't like. Unless the "torrentor" is trustworthy...but isn't that an oxymoron (a trustworthy pirate)?

Anyway, despite my disagreement with MS's pricing plan I'm still going to walk on the straight road. I encourage all of you to do the same...you never know when it will bite you in the butt and I'd prefer to not have to worry about it.

 

Agreed totally, dun support pirated versions. Unless ur in Pirate Bay jk...

 

Yupe, but since the Mainboard is the most important piece of hardware, the following will explain a bit.

"It must be noted that the OEM license that comes with Vista is indeed similar to the Windows XP OEM license in that it forbids any kind of transfer between machines. We expect that DIYers won't have problems swapping parts, but technically you won't be able to move a license to a brand-new box in two years without falling out of compliance."

Took this of http://arstechnica.com/news.ars/post/20070124-8696.html

I ve read very confusing information regarding this OEM thing. But the phrase that i bold the letter explain that if i change the whole system(assuming part by part failure), the OEM will be voided. And now ur saying that even if i change the whole machine, wat i need to do is just call M$ up and ask them nicely to reactivate ur machine becoz all the parts failed? Then now wat's the difference between a retail and oem have now.

 

Are you basing this on experience or just what you read on yahoo? A motherboard level upgrade will result in you having to purchase a new license for XP if an OEM version was used, I know this for a fact. I seriously doubt vista will be any different.

 

When dealing with OEM versions of Windows in the real world, everything including the motherboard is upgradeable. Wordings in the EULA are all open to interpretations so it's a matter of convincing Microsoft there is only one installation of your license.

 

Iceman, I've replaced my motherboard on my OEM XP Pro machine. All I had to do was call the 800 number and explain my situation, and they were more than happy to activate my copy of XP. As a matter of fact, they must have reset the overall counter, because the last time I reinstalled my OEM XP, I was able to activate via the internet instead of calling.

Only time will tell how MS deals with Vista and a motherboard swap. They've already backed off their "you can never transfer Vista" stance, so they may soften up a bit on this, too.

 

Whether it's tied to the machine or not ........it's still a good deal.

 

Is it true that the premium version of vista takes up 40GB?

 

No, it doesnt take up the full 40GB, it used around 9GB on my machine. MS recommend a minimum 40GB harddrive, so that you actually have some left over space.