What's the diff b/n retail WINDOWS SOFTWARE, and OEM?

[bubble.tea]

Is the only difference between retail and OEM software the telephone support?

to be extra-clear. When you get OEM software...like Windows XP, does it authenticate just as well..and continue to get access to full updates as per?

p.s. this updates business...is it forever? or does That also expire eventually?

[Arrow]

You don't get the nice fancy box and packaging materials that come in the retail box. You still get the software updates.

[rdtx2002]

FAQ

The following information was found at Tek-Tips

ALL OEM copies can only be installed clean: (that is, the hard drive must be formatted before XP OEM can be installed). They cannot be used to perform an upgrade of an existing Operating System so make sure
you back up all necessary data and files BEFORE installing XP OEM, since the format of the Hard Drive will erase ALL data on it.

There are two types of OEM CDs:
1) an OEM version created by a system manufacturer. These copies are usually "BIOS-locked", and can only be used on the exact machine they were created for.
2) a "FULL OEM", or "FULL OEM DSP". These may be installed on any IBM-compatible machine. These may or may not be provided with a factory-built machine, but are usually purchased separately for installation a home-built machine.

You will be making a trade-off in buying an OEM version. YOU will trade the ability to upgrade an existing installation of Windows (and save
your data and programs) and the legal right to install the copy on a new machine, (if you should change your old machine for a new one), for a
big savings in the initial cost of Windows XP.


NOTE: OEM versions must legally be sold along with a hardware item, but in many cases this hardware item may be a power-cord (usually a $1) or mouse (they might even give you the mouse to satisfy Microsoft's
licensing requirements)

Three other issues that need to be emphasized about an OEM license:

1. You will receive no support from Microsoft. You will be referred to the original OEM licensee.
2. You cannot upgrade the FULL OEM DSP version. When longhorn or whatever appears this will not be a qualifying license.
3. Currently you can transfer (no, not two copies) a non-OEm license to a new machine. You remove XP from the first machine and the license will transfer to the new machine. You call Microsoft and they will issue you a new activation code. You cannot do this with the OEM license. It is for one machine only, the original machine. You will not be issued an activation code for a new machine.
4. You can upgrade the RAM, hard disk and other devices. And use the phone option to re-activate. The question is whether the OEM installation is fundamentally the same after the upgrade

[bubble.tea]

man....though thorough...THAT was not I wanted to hear :mad: