I want to buy Windows XP OEM, however....if a website says that the software is OEM, what guarantee is there that I can activate XP through Microsoft?
Most places say the software comes with COA but they doesn't mean that the activation code has/ hasn't been used before!
Is this something I should ask the website?
2007-01-29 08:22:08 · 6 answers · asked by Red Line 1 in Computers & Internet ➔ Software
OEM just means it can legally only be sold with a new PC.
That's all.
When the PC dies so does the license ... it is non transferable.
That's why it is cheaper than a retail license which can legally be removed from one PC and installed on another.
Get an official copy of the license here :
http://www.microsoft.com/oem/sblicense/default.mspx
regards,
Philip T
2007-01-29 08:33:42 · answer #1 · answered by Philip T 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
1) Originally, an OEM (original equipment manufacturer) was a company that supplied equipment to other companies to resell or incorporate into another product using the reseller's brand name. For example, a maker of refrigerators like Frigidaire might sell its refrigerators to a retailer like Sears to resell under a brand name owned by Sears. A number of companies, both equipment suppliers and equipment resellers, still use this meaning.
2) More recently, OEM is used to refer to the company that acquires a product or component and reuses or incorporates it into a new product with its own brand name.
http://whatis.techtarget.com/definition/0,,sid9_gci214136,00.html
COA
http://www.microsoft.com/resources/howtotell/en/coa.mspx
A Certificate of Authenticity (COA) is a label that helps you identify genuine Microsoft software. A COA is not a software license – it is a visual identifier that assists in determining whether or not the Microsoft software you are running is genuine. However, without it, you will not have a legal license to run Microsoft software. A COA should never be purchased by itself without the software it authenticates.
2007-01-29 08:34:51 · answer #2 · answered by TheHumbleOne 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yea COA and OEM are real copys and they are legit copys of windows. As far as COA's they are for that one computer and cant be moved to another computer. OEM can be moved from one computer to another. If your looking to under stand more of the rules of OEM here is a link that is from Microsoft about OEM software.
2007-01-29 08:33:00 · answer #3 · answered by jaybee2082003 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Maybe. But OEM codes are legit, and the MS sites that cover OEM codes are fairly open about them. So long as you purchased it legitimately and it is a proper CD with code, then all is fine
2007-01-29 08:30:02 · answer #4 · answered by Mictlan_KISS 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, I bought WinXP OEM, the activation is valid thru Microsoft.
2007-01-29 08:28:21 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
that will not be legit vista is out soon wait for that it is only $100
2007-01-29 08:31:03 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋