License & installation question...

  • Thread starter Thread starter John A.
  • Start date Start date
J

John A.

Here's the situation...

I have two systems at home running Win98SE. (1.7Ghz & 2.0Ghz Celerons
with 256M RAM)

I have systems at our shop running Win2k w/SP4.

Assuming I have the OEM media from the shop Win2k systems, and
purchase two licenses for the home systems, can I use said media to do
fresh installs on the two home systems? (I'm assuming I can't do
upgrade installs with it, and from everything I've read hear and
elsewhere I wouldn't want to anyway.) The 2k systems were put together
with off-the-shelf components.

I think I can get the licenses without media cheaper than with media.

I would, of course, download all the relevant drivers & service packs
and make sure I have all my other software installation files & disks
before starting. The systems in question were available with Win2k
preinstalled, so I think I can assume they're compatible. At the time
I didn't see a need for anything beyond 9x. Right now I have no desire
to go beyond 2k.

Thanks for any insight!
John A.
 
Here's the situation...

I have two systems at home running Win98SE. (1.7Ghz & 2.0Ghz Celerons
with 256M RAM)

I have systems at our shop running Win2k w/SP4.

Assuming I have the OEM media from the shop Win2k systems, and
purchase two licenses for the home systems, can I use said media to do
fresh installs on the two home systems? (I'm assuming I can't do
upgrade installs with it, and from everything I've read hear and
elsewhere I wouldn't want to anyway.) The 2k systems were put together
with off-the-shelf components.

I think I can get the licenses without media cheaper than with media.

I would, of course, download all the relevant drivers & service packs
and make sure I have all my other software installation files & disks
before starting. The systems in question were available with Win2k
preinstalled, so I think I can assume they're compatible. At the time
I didn't see a need for anything beyond 9x. Right now I have no desire
to go beyond 2k.

Thanks for any insight!
John A.
Click to expand...

And a follow-up...

Would upgrade licenses work with the OEM media, or would I need to get
non-upgrade licenses? I figure since I'm replacing licensed
installations of Win98SE an update license would be legal, but I'm
worried the OEM media wouldn't accept the reg. #.

Thanks again!
JA
 
You would have to get a retail version of upgrade to do an upgrade you can't
use an OEM disc to do an update because the OEM version is tied to the
machine that it came with. I believe that the OEM won't allow you to do an
upgrade either.
John B.
 
You would have to get a retail version of upgrade to do an upgrade you can't
use an OEM disc to do an update because the OEM version is tied to the
machine that it came with. I believe that the OEM won't allow you to do an
upgrade either.
John B.
Click to expand...

Well, I wouldn't be doing a convert-98-to-2000 update. Rather, an
install-to-a-new-C:-drive/partition update. Would an OEM install CD
force a wipe of the drive or partition?

The key question is, of course, will an upgrade key work with OEM
media. (And this is generic media, not tied to a particular brand. The
drivers were on separate CDs.)

The part # on the CD is X09-46033, and it says it includes SP4. It's
still shrink-wrapped with its booklet, but the cert. sticker is, of
course, stuck on the PC. Obviously I wouldn't be using that sticker's
key to do the install, but rather a new key.
 
If the sticker is "stuck to the PC" the CD in your hands is an OEM.
OEM's are clean install only.
 
If the sticker is "stuck to the PC" the CD in your hands is an OEM.
OEM's are clean install only.
Click to expand...

Yeah. I know. I said that was what I was going to do a couple times.
:)
JA
 
John A. wrote:

Well, I wouldn't be doing a convert-98-to-2000 update. Rather, an
install-to-a-new-C:-drive/partition update. Would an OEM install CD
force a wipe of the drive or partition?

The key question is, of course, will an upgrade key work with OEM
media. (And this is generic media, not tied to a particular brand. The
drivers were on separate CDs.)

The part # on the CD is X09-46033, and it says it includes SP4. It's
still shrink-wrapped with its booklet, but the cert. sticker is, of
course, stuck on the PC. Obviously I wouldn't be using that sticker's
key to do the install, but rather a new key.
Click to expand...

AFAIK, the OEM Windows 2000 media needs to use an OEM
product key. A retail product key would be invalidated.
And there is no OEM Windows 2000 upgrade version but in
some places, the OEM Windows 2000 Pro version is priced
less than the Retail Windows 2000 Pro up-grade version.
 
John A. wrote:



AFAIK, the OEM Windows 2000 media needs to use an OEM
product key. A retail product key would be invalidated.
And there is no OEM Windows 2000 upgrade version but in
some places, the OEM Windows 2000 Pro version is priced
less than the Retail Windows 2000 Pro up-grade version.
Click to expand...

Okay, change of scenario... how about if I get a new system with a
Windows XP Pro OEM license. Can I use that to do a clean "downgrade
license" install with the Win2kPro OEM media?

Thanks!
 
Yes, as per the MS Downgrade rights chart, quote follows:

"Rights to OEM versions of systems software are granted in the OEM EULA.
The OEM EULAs for most OEM versions of systems software do not grant
downgrade rights. The exception is the OEM EULA for Microsoft Windows XP
Professional, which grants downgrade rights. See the full text of the
OEM EULA for the specific downgrade rights."
 
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