Vista Box edition and OEM

I looked up a price guide today and can't figure out what the difference between a vista box edition and OEM edition is. Both of them come in DVDs but the box edition is at least S$625 more. Could someone enlighten me on this please?

 

OEM is only available for system biulders. It's ilegal to use it as retail.

 

Yeah, and OEM comes with brand new systems you use so your not able to do a clean install.

 

but besides those 2 points....its the same

 

No, OEM only comes with the specific part no papers, no manuals.

 

Also Harley, no edition of Vista is $625 so i don't know what you were looking at.

 

Read my first post more carefully Calvin. Note the currency I quoted as well. Otherwise thanks to everyone for the information.

 

What's the "S" before the dollar sign mean? What currency is that?

 

I'm with Calvin. Harley, there are many different currencies around the world. Leaving your location blank doesn't help.

 

You're from the United States so US$ is what you're used to reading. I'm not and the Singapore Dollar is the currency I quoted. This is a common abbreviation if I'm not mistaken.

Edit: I don't care what others think about my location, if they wish to find out they're welcome to but I can't be bothered to modify my user account.

 

Wow, your currency doesn't have much value at all. (No offense) It seems quid is still the highest. =\

 

That's your opinion and you're welcome to it. I just wanted to compare prices across regions as I'm getting the x64 Ultimate version once I buy my new laptop.

 

For my information, you can only activate the serial number provide by a OEM vista ONCE.

Mean once you installed it and activated it on a system, avoid reformat it at all cost as you will not able to activate it another time. (Wonder if the automated phone system operator will help you activate it in this case)

While the normal retail edition will allowed you activate them for more then once.

 

No a phone operator can't help you re-activate it AFAIK. So if you re-format your...out of luck.

 

You're referring to the OEM DVD-only disc I referred to earlier yes? So the box version of Vista I plan to get can be installed on one PC ad infinitum if necessary.

 

Yes, but only on ONE PC, if you try to install on any other PC your out of luck once again.

 

Not a problem then. Considering how much I have to pay for a new copy of Vista I'm sticking in on my new laptop only (once I buy it eventually).

 

I hope your happy with vista, but can i recommend that you don't get the x64 version?

 

I checked my local software store and they say Vista Ultimate Box edition has both x86 and x64 versions bundled within. If x64 software and driver compatibility is still touch and go when I do get my new laptop I'll stick with the factory-installed Vista until things improve.

 

Yeah that is a very good plan since you could stick with x86 for now, and later on when x64 is needed you could just switch over. but that means you aren't planning to get your laptop for another 5 years.

 

If I am misreading I apologize.

Yes but so can the OEM, the Box can be uninstalled from one and then installed on a different PC. The OEM can only be installed on one PC but you can reinstall as much as you want. I have done this 3 times. I mean come on you can't change your HDD and do a clean install? If you are not going to change PC's get the OEM, other than I think it is illegal if you are not an OEM but have not checked the EULA lately.

OEM can be reformatted and reinstalled as much as you want but must be the same PC!

 

I never knew that powerpack, thanks for setting the record straight.

 

Not true. Any PC system integrator can purchase the OEM version for sale WITH a fully configured PC they sell. That OEM version is EXACTLY the same as the retail one in all respects INCLUDING being able to be used for a clean install. HOWEVER some integrator choose to pre load the OEM version add their own stuff to it (aka bloatware) and the provide a disk (or partition) with an image of that configuration and NOT include the OEM disk, in that case you can't do a clean install.

Gary

 

No, in the US we are used to seeing the $ not US$. So the S$ appeared to be a typographical mistake. It may be a common abbreviation to you but it is not to folks elsewhere in the world. So if you ask a question in a board populated mostly by folks in the US and refuse to indiacte clearly you are in Singapore, or use an obscure abbreviation then don't be surprised when folks don't understand what S$ means.

Gary

 

In all fairness this confused me and I thought of commenting the same as Calvin. But I guessed it was what it was (Singapore) and did nothing. It really is cool, no point in bunching our skirts, it would be considerate to give more complete currency info for us Americans and the rest of the world. No harm no foul!

 

What defines a "new pc" for a system builder (same as OEM) is is the key. We often upgrade parts here and there as things become available.

I've had oem vista since jan and they do make you call if your computer specs change, but so far I've heard "is it only installed on one computer?" Of course I do, and it is technically the same computer.

So far I've not heard of MS telling someone they would not activate... unless the key was stolen or a hack. I guess if you attempted to reinstall your computer once a month, you might have issues with oem.

 

Is that so? You certainly have strong views on that. So long as I get the answers I'm looking for trivial issues like people misunderstanding currency (this happens a lot) or not reading my posts correctly (I'll work on my sentence clarity).

Back to topic: From the latest posts would I be correct in saying that:

OEM version: 1 PC installation only, multiple reinstallations (HDD format etc.) not problem.

Box version: Multiple PCs but no two PCs can hold the same CD key at any one time or EULA is violated.

 

Correct
The box version can be moved to a new PC but, must be removed from the old one.

 

Yes! And and don't worry about the money thing. He should not of made it a big deal and you should of understood his confusion. No harm no foul!

 

But how will they know?

 

That settles it then. My last question is whether the OEM copies are available in both x86 and x64 versions. If no one is sure then I can wait until February to check it myself.

 

You will have to call obviusly powerpack & you want be able to update.

 

You can get both versions in OEM(also in retail) form but, you can't install an OEM on a computer you didn't biuld.

 

Confused Thomas? I have no idea. The sentence structure throws me off. What's up bud!

 

I understand the first part, but I don't understand what you're saying in the second part. If I bought a laptop (e.g. Inspiron or G1S) and bought an OEM vista copy are you saying that I cannot install what I bought over the factory-installed OS?

 

You will have to call to install it powerpack &
you want be able to update if it says your systems not valid or whatever.

 

you didn't biuld it up from a barebone so you can't use an OEM copy on it becides the included copy.

 

How would they know? That is odd, never heard that before. My partner did not have any issues on putting oem on his old dell.

Did you have trouble with that? Did MS refuse to activate your computer since it was not one that you built?

I'd fall out my chair if the activation person said, "That is an HP you are trying to put that on! We won't do it." I'd be like:

 

You honasly want to have an illegal computer you can't update I guess.
We don't discuss illegal matters at NBR

 

That means I'm restricted to buying the boxed retail version if I wish to get a Vista version (different from the factory-installed copy for new laptops)?

 

Thomas I understand now. I thought you were saying he had to call me. But I did not have to call them with OEM so don't know.

I still need your help with RAM.

 

If you have a week or so, I'll let you know how this goes....


The license, from what I remember only says that it must be shipped on a "complete computer system." I don't think it says "a complete computer system that you built yourself."

This is the license:

http://www.microsoft.com/oem/sblicense/default.mspx

You are the system builder...

 

Thanks for the link. I've read the license (bloody small print) but the license implies that the OEM copy is really meant for retailers, not for users looking to upgrade.

I've got months to go before I really have to start considering getting the new laptop so let me know how it goes.

 

You need to slow your roll... no one is talking about doing anything illegal, from what I can tell.

When they changed the license, I contacted my old contacts at MS (from when I worked at a school) to see what could and could not be done.

I have several oem license for my computers ... all legal... same as I have multiple oem license for xp...

 

Yea, some people should get the full retail... OEM is a hard concept for some to grasp.. being a system builder and all... plus all the fud on the net.... All good though....

More than likely when your computer arrives, it will have maybe vista premium on it... you can simply upgrade it online using a "anytime" upgrade CD.... I've not checked, but it should be about the same cost as going OEM... if you have vista pre on your computer already....

yea, the upgrade from pre to ultimate is USD $159.00... cheaper than oem...

 

Do you have a link on how one version of Vista can be upgraded to another? I have no idea what the upgrade CD is and the microsoft website is more concerned with older OS users rather than advising current Vista owners.

Specifically when I do get a laptop it will likely have Vista basic preinstalled.

Edit: I found the link, it's in Windows marketplace but it requires a credit card which I don't have. Any way to perform a vista edition upgrade at a store instead of online?

 

yee if its included with your system when you buy it!
But you can't install it on one of those computers yourself!
If you biult the computer you can install it as may times as you want to.

 

199.00 from basic to ultimate... oem ultimate normally cost 180 to 200... still a good deal to just go with the upgrade.

I can't help you with the credit card issue.... contact MS and see what they say. They normally respond to questions within 24 to 48 hours....

 

I won't go into rebrands, etc....

You have clearly stepped out of your area of expertise... I have a movie to watch, good night.

 

I tried the Vista anytime website but it isn't available in my region. By the looks of it I will have to purchase the retail version at a store. A shame though could have saved several hundreds of my salary going the upgrade route.