Export thread

My brother is under the impression that if he activates it online on one PC he won't be able to use it on a new one he want to acquire in the future even if he stops using it on the old one...

How true is that and if it's not how hard is it to de-authenticate it etc.

Depends on which version is installed.
MSFT releases 2 main versions of their OS...the OEM version and the retail version. The retail version usually costs $100 or so more than the OEM one.

-OEM version can only be installed on one computer. Ever. Try to install it on another computer (whether the first one is still working or not) and it will fail the activation (unless you whine enough on the phone). Even if it is the same computer but a different motherboard, it will still fail. The activation code is tied to that specific hardware and will never work again unless that hardware is the same as the first activation. Yes, MSFT does account for upgrades (new video cards, etc) but you can't change too much too fast or again, you fail.
-Retail version can be moved to another computer, but no two computers can use the same activation code at the same time.

--Patrick

How about ones that where downloaded of a university's site as part of some sort of program MS has?

Dunno. Did he download the Retail copy or the OEM copy? OEM copies usually will have "-OEM-" as part of the registration number under the system properties.

--Patrick

I haven't heard of a University Download thing with Win 7. I've heard of a "Give us your email and we'll email auth key while sending discs."

Also, keep in mind that with both the OEM and Retail the key works on 32 bit and 64 bit. You get to choose which version you actually want to install. Protip: It's 64.

University student deal ($30 for download, $13 extra for a shipped disc) found at http://www.win741.com
Looking it over, it seems like a normal retail version, not OEM.

University student deal ($30 for download, $13 extra for a shipped disc) found at http://www.win741.com
Looking it over, it seems like a normal retail version, not OEM.

Click to expand...

Thing is, this one was for free... as was the XP i'm on right now... under this it seems: http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/academic/default.aspx

TotalFusionOne said:

Also, keep in mind that with both the OEM and Retail the key works on 32 bit and 64 bit. You get to choose which version you actually want to install. Protip: It's 64.

Click to expand...

Not for the PC my brother has (but we d/l both).

@Li3n said:

University student deal ($30 for download, $13 extra for a shipped disc) found at http://www.win741.com
Looking it over, it seems like a normal retail version, not OEM.

Click to expand...

Thing is, this one was for free... as was the XP i'm on right now... under this it seems: http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/academic/default.aspx

TotalFusionOne said:

Also, keep in mind that with both the OEM and Retail the key works on 32 bit and 64 bit. You get to choose which version you actually want to install. Protip: It's 64.

Click to expand...

Not for the PC my brother has (but we d/l both).

Click to expand...

My Win7 disc was shipped yesterday but I really, really want to start installing it tonight. Does anyone know if there is a way to change the key once you install it from a less-than-legal site? I mean I have obtained the software legally already so I don't feel like I'd be doing anything wrong by installing it before the disc actually gets here.

Note to ed: If it isn't okay to ask this question, feel free to redact. As far as I can tell I don't think I'm pushing against any rules...

PatrThom said:

-OEM version can only be installed on one computer. Ever. Try to install it on another computer (whether the first one is still working or not) and it will fail the activation (unless you whine enough on the phone). Even if it is the same computer but a different motherboard, it will still fail. The activation code is tied to that specific hardware and will never work again unless that hardware is the same as the first activation. Yes, MSFT does account for upgrades (new video cards, etc) but you can't change too much too fast or again, you fail.

Click to expand...

This is a case of YMMV. OEM copies of XP were supposed to be this way, but when my old PC died I used my OEM copy from it to set up dual-booting on my current computer, and I didn't have any problems installing at all. It had been a couple years since I changed hardware at all, but moving to new Mobo, CPU, video card, hard drive, etc. should have triggered it, but didn't.

---------- Post added at 08:21 PM ---------- Previous post was at 08:20 PM ----------

klew said:

University student deal ($30 for download, $13 extra for a shipped disc) found at http://www.win741.com
Looking it over, it seems like a normal retail version, not OEM.

Click to expand...

I thought that was an upgrade version? In that case the EULA probably says it's for install on a singe PC and isn't eligible for transfer to different hardware.

figmentPez said:

This is a case of YMMV. OEM copies of XP were supposed to be this way, but when my old PC died I used my OEM copy from it to set up dual-booting on my current computer, and I didn't have any problems installing at all. It had been a couple years since I changed hardware at all, but moving to new Mobo, CPU, video card, hard drive, etc. should have triggered it, but didn't.

Click to expand...

XP was very lenient OEM wise. Since manufacturers shipped out thousands of identical machines, the majority of them shipped registered with a *default* key instead of registering the key that came with the machine. This meant that the OEM keys could theoretically be used to install on another machine with no issue, as the hardware was never associated with that key.

Just so you know? Windows 7 is awesome.

Just installed my version and, even though I lost 120gb of saved games and such, I couldn't be happier (However for some reason I never noticed how dirty my screen was in Vista.. Hrm)

TotalFusionOne said:

Just so you know? Windows 7 is awesome.

Click to expand...

Yeah i saw, my brother installed it on his old PC (took out the net cable) and the mouse icon didn't lag behind like it did in XP (and even Linux).

For what it's worth, my old XP OEM key didn't work for some reason when installing anew (I had it running on 2 PC's at the time), so I rang up MS, got an automated system where I entered my old key and got myself a new one without even talking to anyone.

I would assume something similar is set up for Vista/7.

I'd just like to add that my Windows 7 64bit install is finished and, while I do have a couple of bugs using things like mIRC and such, it's faster and better than ever.

I'm getting a third again more FPS in WoW than I was before this install (From an average of 20 fps to 32fps in Taverns and the like) with greater graphical settings than I originally had. When I set everything to "Low" I'm getting 30 in the wilderness and 40 in the empty areas.

Seraphyn said:

For what it's worth, my old XP OEM key didn't work for some reason when installing anew (I had it running on 2 PC's at the time), so I rang up MS, got an automated system where I entered my old key and got myself a new one without even talking to anyone.

I would assume something similar is set up for Vista/7.

Click to expand...

I wonder if that even available over here...

Uh, just so you guys know...

I've been bluescreening like a mofo. And having issues with my hard drive.Ran chkdisk over and over, but nothing seems to be fixing it.

It's the screen actually blue... i kinda miss that.

Check to see if your mobo maker has updated drivers for Win7 for your mobo. It's an important step, and it often gets overlooked.

--Patrick

I actually have to come back and say "Sorry," because it turns out the bluescreens were being caused by PandaCloud which is what I used to use for Anti-virus.

Also, vis a vis my FPS in WoW? I lied. I'm getting 45+ in low populated areas and about 30+ all the time on Med-low settings. I bumped it up to med-high settings and I'm back to my old framerate that I'm used to, except now it looks like I'm watching a cartoon on TV. This is on a Dell Inspiron 1545 Dual Core with 3gb of ram and onboard video (Intel GM45)

I tried to order the student version (I love having a university email!) but they don't take PayPal. BLAST!