Hello, this is my first post here.

It might sound dumb, but I'm very confused about this and thought this would be the place to ask.

I'm running Win98SE on a computer built for me some time back, and have decided I'd like to try Win2k.

If I was to buy an OEM version combined with a piece of hardware (say on eBay or at a computer swap meet), would I be able to reformat my machine and install Win2k successfully without having to use the bit of hardware that comes with it?

I'd like to think I could, because my copy of Win98SE is an OEM which I bought separately from my machine and it installs/reinstalls okay (I can't remember whether I bought a piece of hardware with it, though).

Again, I know this probably sounds like a dumb question but I've never been certain about this issue. And researching it on the 'Net hasn't helped much...

Thanks.

scoopyx

would I be able to reformat my machine and install Win2k successfully without having to use the bit of hardware that comes with it?

Yes, you only need to "purchase" a piece of hardware to purchase an OEM copy of Windows legally - you don't necessarily have to "use" it afterwards. It's a loophole in the EULA, but it's not illegal.

Thank you, cluberti.

I appreciate the advice.

Regards,

scoopyx.

Be aware of changes made to the OEM EULA, removing the loophole of "non-peripheral hardware" which people exploited:

http://blogs.msdn.com/mssmallbiz/archive/2.../07/461961.aspx

The absolute wording says OEM products must come preinstalled on systems provided by the system builder (OEM), and AFAIK OEM licenses are not transferrable.

OEM software has been abused a huge amount over the years, it is intended to be discounts for system builders that they can optionally pass on to end users and not meant to be sold as installation media.

The system builders get the discount because they are responsible for supporting the end users, not Microsoft.

In effect, anyone selling you OEM software is the one responsible for supporting you if you have problems with the product.

Just an FYI.

Mr. Snrub is correct - apparently we've made changes to the licensing agreement for Windows XP/2003 and Office XP/2003 OEM software (I'm not sure how I didn't know about it, but it does check out), so it appears that unless you're buying a whole machine from a vendor or are a Microsoft-registered OEM system builder, you aren't supposed to purchase OEM versions of Windows. Whether or not this will be enforced remains to be seen, but apparently the rules have been modified.

On a related note, I have heard many complaints from 'net denizens, colleagues, and friends who've purchased OEM software in this fashion in the past and then had to call Microsoft for support, or a private hotfix - only to be turned away, because they purchased OEM software that came with NO support from Microsoft. Remember that if you're purchasing or providing an OEM copy of Windows, you (as the defacto OEM) provide Windows support.

Edited December 26, 200520 yr by cluberti