Using OEM software

[Ellie]

I was reading something on dabs.com saying that OEM software is unsuitable for normal users. I was reading it, and it said they are only allowed to sell OEM versions of Windows Vista to people buying either a complete PC system, or buying a piece of hardware needed to make the complete system.

Does this mean that if I bought the Vista Home Premium OEM, with a 40gb hard drive, all costing about £90, and added the hard drive to my PC, uninstalled everything, then installed Vista, it would be legal?

Technically, I would be "building" the PC myself.

Just wondering...

 

[Tohsaka]

I wouldn't believe so. OEM OS software is only for use on the original computer that it was installed on. Vista OEM would only before the computer manufacturer to put on the system when they are making it. Unless this computer has Vista installed, then you can't. Transferring OEM Vista to another computer is illegal, at least in the US. OEM is sold to the manufacturers by Microsoft. The Windows that your computer comes loaded with is OEM. I don't believe that you can buy the OEM version in anything below a mass quantity, as it is only sold to the manufacturers (to the extent of my knowledge).

I figure that the section about the PC component could be something like a motherboard or graphics card...etc. I've found graphics cards that come with free games (Farcray, Morrowind..etc.), and my motherboard came with Norton Internet Security 2006. Generally OEM software (not the OS) is toned down versions of the retail products (my DVD-Burner came with Nero 6, but with limitations like 30day DVD Encoding).