Martinus
Premium
join:2001-08-06
EU
1 edit |  Windows 7 OEM for System Builders
Edit: This was originally posted in »Computer Hardware Discussion/Reviews
I know this question is not about hardware in the strict sense but there are probably more system builders in this forum than in the Software or the Microsoft forums. But mod, feel free to move this post if you see fit.
I have always built my own boxes - the 4 at home, plus two for my daughters plus two for their boyfriends, etc. And I've always used OEM OS - who needs support from Microsoft anyway? The last being XP - I never wanted to install Vista and was waiting for W7.
My approach has always been to take an image of a fresh installation after activation but before installing any software or extra drivers. That way, I can always go back to an activated and clean OS.
But, sometimes, things happen. I've had a PSU die on me taking with it the mobo and the CPU. Other times, I've upgraded HDs or/and RAM etc, requiring sometimes a reactivation of the OS. Of all these times, only twice I've had to call Microsoft, being the last activation not too far in time. And, after explaining to them that I had to replace the mobo, CPU and RAM, they've always provided me with a new activation code without problems.
Now, I've just bought two W7 OEM 64bit for System Builders - I'll be building two new boxes soon. In the package, it states: "...it must be preinstalled on the hard drive of the fully assembled computer system using the OEM Preinstallation Kit (OPK)"
This is new to me. XP OEM versions allowed to be installed without this requirement.
My question is: has anybody installed W7 OEM for System Builders? Can it be installed without the OPK? It looks like an extra hassle to me as I do not need embedding a company logo, etc.
What about replacing the mobo / CPU / Ram, etc? Is W7 OEM licensed different than XP OEM?
Many thanks
Martinus |
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seagreen
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1 edit | said by Martinus  :it states: "...it must be preinstalled on the hard drive of the fully assembled computer system using the OEM Preinstallation Kit (OPK)" My question is: has anybody installed W7 OEM for System Builders? Can it be installed without the OPK? It looks like an extra hassle to me as I do not need embedding a company logo, etc. I installed the OEM ver. of Win7U on a newly rebuilt (home-built) machine. I didn't see the OPK requirement until after W7 was all installed and running.
So, yes, it can be installed without OPK. The activation went through with no glitches. I assume the OPK was more likely aimed at volume builders rather than the home builder but according to the wording it looks like what I did was illegal. 
I can't answer the question about what will happen should you need to change hardware. I would suppose that some changes would be allowed but may require a phone call to activate an OEM copy a second time. |
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Freddy
join:2005-05-17
Arlington, VA
·Verizon Online DSL
| reply to Martinus
Martinus,
I too use OEM versions to build new systems for friends and family members. My understanding is that you don't have to use OPK to install OEM version. You may use it however to streamline the OS installation process, customize Help and Support and create recovery, etc.
I just finished building an OEM Win7 system for my brother without using OPK. It activated and is working with no problems.
That's the way it works for me.
Freddy |
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seagreen
Premium,Mod
join:2001-05-14
out there | reply to Martinus
The links here explain it all better: »[Info] All you wanted to know (or didn't) about Win7 licensing |
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Martinus
Premium
join:2001-08-06
EU
| reply to Martinus
Thanks, guys.
The catch with OPK is that you need to install it in a PC with Windows 7 so, if all you got are OEM System Builder versions, you can't install it.
Freddy , Yes. That's what I do: family members and selected friends.
seagreen . Thanks for the link. Very informative.
But there's something a bit strange here. According to the Ed Bott article, "...nor can the motherboard be upgraded.".
Now, let's say you are a small system builder and have a little business going. You sell a box to a customer with the OEM license. Fine. The customer's mobo and CPU get fried - has happened to me - and you take the box for mobo and CPU replacement. Do you tell your customer that he/she, not only has to pay for the replaced parts but also for a new OS license? |
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Freddy
join:2005-05-17
Arlington, VA | Martinus,
Yeah, after reading seagreen's reference, I agree with you in that OPK has to be used with OEM versions. I didn't use it because I didn't notice that catch before.
Freddy |
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