MS: It's Okay to Buy Vista OEM Software

  • Thread starter Thread starter smartie
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Good post. There has been a lot of debate about this.
I also posted the article from PCMag.

The OEM version can save a user a lot of money,
but they need to know there are reasons why it is cheaper
and the limitations of using an OEM version.

-Michael
 
MICHAEL said:
Good post. There has been a lot of debate about this.
I also posted the article from PCMag.

The OEM version can save a user a lot of money,
but they need to know there are reasons why it is cheaper
and the limitations of using an OEM version.
Click to expand...

I am going to buy OEM. I am fully aware that it can not be transferred,
however this laptop is only 8 months old, so I don't think I will need a
change of hardware for the foreseeable future.
The question remains though, do I buy now and have a proper version or do I
wait and continue using the RC2 that I have installed.
 
Beck said:
I am going to buy OEM. I am fully aware that it can not be transferred,
however this laptop is only 8 months old, so I don't think I will need a
change of hardware for the foreseeable future.
The question remains though, do I buy now and have a proper version or do I
wait and continue using the RC2 that I have installed.
Click to expand...

Go ahead, buy it, install it. There's no good reason to keep using a beta.
Especially, since you know for sure that you want to use Vista.


-Michael
 
Go ahead, buy it, install it. There's no good reason to keep using a
beta.
Especially, since you know for sure that you want to use Vista.
Click to expand...

Well I do know for sure I cannot go back to XP after having tried to several
times.
£75 for OEM Home Premium. I think that is the one I need. Too many
editions, too much confusion :-(
 
Why can't you go back to XP?

I know it seems like a lot of confusion. What do you plan
to use your computer for? Did you have XP Pro, Home, or MCE?

Probably, for most home users, Home Premium will be the best
thing. However, keep in mind there are a some things that HP
does not have that you have experienced in RC2, the Ultimate version.
CompletePC Backup, BitLocker, Fax, are a few.

If you are worried about keeping your settings, Windows Easy Transfer
can take care of that for you.

-Michael
 
MICHAEL said:
Why can't you go back to XP?
Click to expand...

Windows Mail spam protection is far too superior to go back to anything less
:-)
Plus I have got used to Vista now its like having proper coffee then having
to drink instant crap. lol
I know it seems like a lot of confusion. What do you plan
to use your computer for? Did you have XP Pro, Home, or MCE?
Click to expand...

Internet, email, synching with pocket pc, photos, etc.
Probably, for most home users, Home Premium will be the best
thing. However, keep in mind there are a some things that HP
does not have that you have experienced in RC2, the Ultimate version.
CompletePC Backup, BitLocker, Fax, are a few.
Click to expand...

Thats okay, I never actually used those features anyway.
If you are worried about keeping your settings, Windows Easy Transfer
can take care of that for you.
Click to expand...

I have never tried this, but I will look into it. Will save having to setup
emails again?

Just ordered Home Premium. I could have gone with basic, but there are a
couple of things not in the basic version I wanted.
 
Beck said:
Windows Mail spam protection is far too superior to go back to anything less :-)
Plus I have got used to Vista now its like having proper coffee then having to drink instant
crap. lol


Internet, email, synching with pocket pc, photos, etc.


Thats okay, I never actually used those features anyway.


I have never tried this, but I will look into it. Will save having to setup emails again?

Just ordered Home Premium. I could have gone with basic, but there are a couple of things
not in the basic version I wanted.
Click to expand...

Yes, Windows Easy Transfer will save all that stuff. Fire it up in RC2, and
then save it to a DVD. You can also customize what you want it to save.

Home Premium is a good choice.

More Info on WET.

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/windowsvista/features/details/easytransfer.mspx

http://windowshelp.microsoft.com/Windows/en-US/Help/96d5d811-6d52-4dff-b39b-76c64a131dfe1033.mspx
 
MICHAEL said:
Yes, Windows Easy Transfer will save all that stuff. Fire it up in RC2,
and
then save it to a DVD. You can also customize what you want it to save.

Home Premium is a good choice.

More Info on WET.

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/windowsvista/features/details/easytransfer.mspx

http://windowshelp.microsoft.com/Windows/en-US/Help/96d5d811-6d52-4dff-b39b-76c64a131dfe1033.mspx
Click to expand...

Thanks, I have done the DVD. Now to wait for delivery.
Perhaps you can help with my other question in my new thread?
I have somehow managed to get 2 bootable vista versions on same drive (C and
D). I want to get rid of both and start afresh. How can I achieve this? I
know how its all done with XP, but Vista is a different beast.
 
Beck said:
Thanks, I have done the DVD. Now to wait for delivery.
Perhaps you can help with my other question in my new thread?
I have somehow managed to get 2 bootable vista versions on same drive (C and D). I want to
get rid of both and start afresh. How can I achieve this? I know how its all done with XP,
but Vista is a different beast.
Click to expand...

I see you have already received help.

Did you try Computer Management>Disk Management located in
Administrative Tools? Try formatting the D volume there or deleting
the volume. You should then be able to extend your C volume.

Before you do that, you might want to use VistaBootPro and remove
that entry for Vista on D.
http://www.vistabootpro.org/

Hmm... I've never dual booted two Vista versions. I wonder if the boot files
are separate or if there may be some reference on your D volume about
booting C. I know how it works when dual booting with XP, but I don't when
it involves two Vista versions. Perhaps, someone can clear this up.


-Michael
 
I believe doing a clean install and removing and recreating the partitions
will get rid of both old versions. Boot sector information for both will be
on your C: drive.
 
Did you try Computer Management>Disk Management located in
Administrative Tools? Try formatting the D volume there or deleting
the volume. You should then be able to extend your C volume.
Click to expand...

It won't format for some odd reason.
It finishes the format and then errors saying "windows was unable to
complete the format"
 
Beck said:
It won't format for some odd reason.
It finishes the format and then errors saying "windows was unable to
complete the format"
Click to expand...

Well, no worries. Just wait until you get your HP. Then tackle
it when you go to install. You'll be able to wipe out those partitions
then and start over.

We'll be here to help, if needed.

-Michael
 
One thing to know about OEM is Microsoft does not support OEM. If you try to
load Vista OEM and have a problem, don't plan on contacting Microsoft, you
will be told to contact the OEM for support. Or pay MS for Support and they
are not cheap.
 
SAM-R said:
One thing to know about OEM is Microsoft does not support OEM. If you try
to load Vista OEM and have a problem, don't plan on contacting Microsoft,
you will be told to contact the OEM for support. Or pay MS for Support and
they are not cheap.
Click to expand...

Like I've ever been able to talk to Microsoft before? I've been using
Gates' products since
the Altair days before it was called MicroSoft (original name) and only got
help once.
That was to replace a serial mouse when there was a lifetime guarantee on
mice. Given the
price differential between OEM and retail, the lack of support probably
won't bother most
people.

Tom Lake
 
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