Any special tricks needed to install a Windows 7 OEM disc?

[Whackintosh]

Using Snow Leopard. This would be for both a a late 2009 Imac and a late 2008 MBP. Would the install procedure / experience be exactly the same as if it were a non-OEM disc?

 

[balamw]

The only trick is ignoring the terms of the license long enough to perform the install. OEM is not licensed to/for end users, only builders of systems for resale to third parties. Given your username, I must imagine that you don't pay too much attention to the terms of licenses.

Otherwise, for clean installs it is functionally the same as a full retail license. (You can't upgrade over Vista from OEM media).

B

 

[ahm]

The only trick is ignoring the terms of the license long enough to perform the install. OEM is not licensed to/for end users, only builders of systems for resale to third parties. Given your username, I must imagine that you don't pay too much attention to the terms of licenses.

Otherwise, for clean installs it is functionally the same as a full retail license. (You can't upgrade over Vista from OEM media).

B

Terms? If it's illegal, then why can anyone purchase an OEM disc from a place like Newegg?

 

[balamw]

Terms? If it's illegal, then why can anyone purchase an OEM disc from a place like Newegg?

Because, especially from NewEgg, they could be buying parts of a system that they intend to resell according to the terms of the license?

It's also for the same reason that you can buy the $29 Snow Leopard Upgrade disc without owning a Mac that runs Leopard.

License violation =/= illegal.

B

 

[ahm]

Because, especially from NewEgg, they could be buying parts of a system that they intend to resell according to the terms of the license?

It's also for the same reason that you can buy the $29 Snow Leopard Upgrade disc without owning a Mac that runs Leopard.

License violation =/= illegal.

B

It's not illegal to build your own computer and use a single license OEM disc.

 

[balamw]

It's not illegal to build your own computer and use a single license OEM disc.

That's what I said. Not illegal, but not according to the terms of the license either. Microsoft is quite clear about it.

http://oem.microsoft.com/script/contentpage.aspx?PageID=563841

• Must be preinstalled on a PC and sold to another unrelated party.
• Cannot be transferred from the PC on which it is preinstalled.
• Must be preinstalled onto a new PC using the OPK.
• System builder that preinstalled the software must provide support for the software.
• License terms are granted by the system builder to the end user.

The top bullet is the main change to the license, which makes OEM/SBE the "wrong" license for home "hobbyist" end users and also corporate IT departments. This wasn't the case before Vista SP1.

Read the license for yourself. http://www.microsoft.com/OEM/SBlicense

B

 

[ahm]

I see. I wonder why. It's essentially the same thing. You're building a computer and installing the operating system. In one case, you are selling it to someone else, in the other you're keeping it. Either way, one license can't be transferred to another computer. Besides end user support and what I just said, there seems to be a thin line between OEM and retail, which is why I didn't understand.

 

[balamw]

there seems to be a thin line between OEM and retail, which is why I didn't understand.

Precisely why Micorosoft is making a big effort to set the licensing record straight since so many of us, myself included, have previously used OEM licenses on home-builds.

It is really no different from installing a $29 Snow Leopard Upgrade on a system running Tiger. It'll most probably work fine, but it isn't how it's licensed.

If you're going to ignore the terms of the license anyhow, and it's so easy to clean install from upgrade media, why not just get a retail upgrade license (at least that is licensed to and intended for end users).

B