Can I reformat my PC with an OEM disc?

[Amasov]

I've had the chance to play with Vista for a while and I really like it. I've also been wanting to perform a clean install of Windows on my PC after nearly three years. I can't really afford Microsoft's outrageous prices for their Vista OS, but a friend suggested getting an OEM disc.

I'm well aware that it can only be installed on one machine. That's fine. I only use one computer. Of course, I'm also thinking about what if something terrible were to happen and I had to re-install Windows, I wouldn't be able to since I've just installed an OEM and can't get anymore uses out of it.

So, my real question is, if I were to just clean out my system and re-install Windows, is an OEM disc ok?

 

[farmkid]

Well, that depends on what you mean by OEM. If you mean the discs that come with new Dell or Gateway or whatever you might buy, then no, that probably won't work. Those versions of Windows are customized somewhat for the company's machines. On top of that, that copy has probably already been installed on and tied to another machine. If you mean something like this, then yes, it should work fine. It is a full version of Windows that will work with any PC built from hardware that can run Vista (sorry, it won't run on your old 486 doorstop). After activation, it will be tied to your computer, so you can't use it on any other system, but it you understand that already anyway. I think you can get the license moved to another computer, but I've never had to do that, so I don't know for sure, or how hard it is to do.

 

[Garrovick]

I tried a beta copy of VISTA I bought from MS on an old Compact computer.

I used the OEM Recovery disk to put XP back on it.

Using the OEM disk will work if the CPU and Motherboard are original as they come from the factory.

 

[Amaris]

Yes. You can use an OEM disc to reformat your PC.


J.

 

[Sheep]

Technically an OEM copy of the OS is limited to one motherboard/CPU combo--if you change the motherboard, you're supposed to get a new OS and not re-use the OEM copy you have (unlike with retail copies of the OS).

However, Microsoft will turn a blind eye as long as you don't install more than once every 4 months even with a new CPU or motherboard; their main issue is that people don't install the same OEM disc on dozens or hundreds of machines. Assuming you do a fresh install only a few times a year, you will be able to activate it over the internet without having to call Microsoft.

EDIT: The above only applies to XP. I don't know how Microsoft is enforcing Vista licenses.

 

[Amaris]

Technically an OEM copy of the OS is limited to one motherboard/CPU combo--if you change the motherboard, you're supposed to get a new OS and not re-use the OEM copy you have (unlike with retail copies of the OS).

However, Microsoft will turn a blind eye as long as you don't install more than once every 4 months even with a new CPU or motherboard; their main issue is that people don't install the same OEM disc on dozens or hundreds of machines. Assuming you do a fresh install only a few times a year, you will be able to activate it over the internet without having to call Microsoft.

EDIT: The above only applies to XP. I don't know how Microsoft is enforcing Vista licenses.

Vista has been the same from my experience.


J.

 

[Alpha_Geek]

If you have an over the counter COA, the number for that will in all probability not work with an OEM disk.

The disk and COA are matched by product (retail vs OEM or other dist methods) as well as build number.

AG