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General discussion

Vista OEM

Aug 3, 2007 2:02AM PDT

Is it legal to buy OEM versions Versions of Vista from Places like New Egg?

Richard

Discussion is locked

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Yes, but...
Aug 3, 2007 2:35AM PDT

Newegg.com is just one of many reputable companies who sell legitimate (legal) OEM copies of Windows. However, note that the OEM license requires you purchase it along with a major hardware component. For instance, a motherboard, a CPU, RAM, a power supply, etc. usually qualify. You can see the store's FAQs page or ask customer service to verify exactly what qualifies. Once purchased it's the same exact OS and full license, with the limitations being you can never transfer the license to another computer or swap out the motherboard.

Hope this helps,
John

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Vista OEM
Aug 3, 2007 6:20AM PDT

Thanks for the info John. Just one more question, Can my OEM Copy(Believe it is OEM)of XP be used to upgrade to Vista?

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(NT) The short version is "Yes."
Aug 3, 2007 4:54PM PDT
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Short Version
Aug 4, 2007 12:27AM PDT

What do you mean by short version? Could you please explain.

Richard

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By that I mean...
Aug 4, 2007 2:38PM PDT

You asked about upgrading from XP to Vista in general. However, it's impossible to upgrade from, say, Windows XP Professional to Windows Vista Home Premium because XP Pro. includes features not contained in Vista Home Premium. Also, if it's an OEM copy of Vista you can't perform an upgrade installation because only a clean installation is supported. Just technicalities based on exactly which Vista release you choose.

John

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John What I am
Aug 5, 2007 1:09AM PDT

Looking for is this; I currently using XP Pro,OEM, Want to know if I can use this to upgrade to Vista. In others words can I buy an upgrade version of Vista Home premium and install it.


Richard

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Thanks John
Aug 5, 2007 6:30AM PDT

Thanks for all your help while I have been trying to decide if Vista was for me. With all the Problem with Vista and the fact I have to buy a full install I think I will pass on vista and stay with XP Pro, which is working great for me.

Richard

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OEM versions are the same you get when you buy
Aug 6, 2007 4:24AM PDT

an OS pre-installed on your new laptop.

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With the exception that...
Aug 6, 2007 6:22AM PDT

Preinstalled versions are usually customized by the manufacturer, adding third-party software and providing a custom recovery method that overrides the standard Windows options. And of course they are pre-locked to the hardware.

John

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Create a partition and use both.
Aug 6, 2007 8:43AM PDT

It's easy.