Buying Windows 7 online

[Rob]

In message <[email protected]>, ..winston

IIRC, Win7 was the first version where the product key determined the
version (Home, Pro, Ultimate) being installed since the retail (not
OEM) DVD included all builds. For retail, the boxed version included
separate DVD's (i.e. the correct DVD needed to be used)

[]
But will the same DVD (that covers Home, Pro, Ultimate) also cover
both retail and OEM, the difference purely being in the key, or are
those fundamentally different - as Rodney Pond says OEM: one install
ever (including on a VM)?

The fact that some varieties come with two DVDs (for 32 and 64 bit)
and some one (or one DVD image) suggests there _is_ a difference there.

What the OP wanted is something that can repair _any_ system (Home,
Pro, Ult; retail or OEM), provided the user has a valid key. I'm
wondering if such a thing exists. (In later posts he also clarified
that he wanted to buy a licence for his own use, too.)

See ei.cfg

http://www.mydigitallife.info/how-t...ll-from-single-edition-dvd-disc-media-or-iso/


Paul

Yep just delete ei.cfg in the sources folder and all versions are
available

 

[Lieutenant Scott]

In message <op.wnojkkgsytk5n5@i7-940>, Lieutenant Scott <[email protected]>
writes:
[]

Find a company that sells unwanted licenses from computers that were
sold with Unix on them.

I won't tell you where I got mine, because:

a) It's in the UK.
b) There will be some twit on here who will report them for
questionable reselling (although I can't see why it would be illegal).

If the machines were bought as Windows and had it scrubbed to put Unix
on (which given the crazy pricing may well have been the case), the
Windows is very likely to have been of the OEM type, which is locked to
the machine it was installed on. There was a ruling quite a few years
ago that people who didn't want Windows could demand a refund (not sure
whether from Microsoft or from the vendor) of the proportion of the sale
price that was the Windows, if they deleted it completely, but even if
that's still in force (which I doubt very much), I very much doubt any
right in such a case extends beyond the original purchaser's refund,
certainly not to the licence being transferable.

It's not locked to hardware. You can reactivate it by simply phoning the automated telephone system at Microsoft. I'm not sure how they work it, but presumably they allow it to happen a few times then if they see 1000 changes for the same license number, they know it's being mass-pirated and block them all. Either that or periodically each machine with that license sends a message to Microsoft to say it's in use, and if they get more than one, they know you've duplicated it.

 

[Ken Springer]

I noticed you said 'in a VM for now' and OEM was mentioned up thread (I
think). With OEM you are only allowed to install it on one machine
ever! The VM would count as that machine so you can't install it on
another when you want to use it on it's own. You need the retail
version for this (I think I'm correct).

Unfortunately for my wallet, I think you're right.

--
Ken

Mac OS X 10.6.8
Firefox 16.0.1
Thunderbird 16.0.1
LibreOffice 3.5.6.2

 

[..winston]

Yes..that's correct.

Some of the confusion is due to MSFT changing the nomenclature for the types of Win8's that are available.

In Win7, we had
Retail - full version (included 32 and 64 bit)
Retail - upgrade version (included 32 and 64 bit)
OEM - preinstalled by computer manufacturer
OEM - full version (32 or 64 bit, but not both)

In Win7
Retail via MSFT store - Upgrade (32 or 64 bit download)
Retail (later after Jan 31) - Upgrade (32 and 64 bit box)
OEM - preinstalled by computer manufacturer
Personal Use System Builder - full version (which replaces Retail full version and OEM full version and available in 32 or 64 bit,
but not both)

Only the last item in Win8 list (above) is for VM.



--
....winston
msft mvp


"Ken Springer" wrote in message

I noticed you said 'in a VM for now' and OEM was mentioned up thread (I
think). With OEM you are only allowed to install it on one machine
ever! The VM would count as that machine so you can't install it on
another when you want to use it on it's own. You need the retail
version for this (I think I'm correct).

Unfortunately for my wallet, I think you're right.

--
Ken

Mac OS X 10.6.8
Firefox 16.0.1
Thunderbird 16.0.1
LibreOffice 3.5.6.2

 

[..winston]

"J. P. Gilliver (John)" wrote in message The fact that some varieties come with two DVDs (for 32 and 64 bit) and
some one (or one DVD image) suggests there _is_ a difference there.

What the OP wanted is something that can repair _any_ system (Home, Pro,
Ult; retail or OEM), provided the user has a valid key. I'm wondering if
such a thing exists. (In later posts he also clarified that he wanted to
buy a licence for his own use, too.)
Fully understood..but <g>
For Windows 7
- only retail DVD's (not OEM pre-installed on new pc, not OEM System Builders) provided both 32 and 64 bit DVD's (that's what
inside the retail box/case on all of 4 of mine). The two Vista's sitting on the shelf (both retail) have the same. When MSFT
- the OEM System Builder DVD's came with one DVD (32 or 64 bit)

- all retail Win7 dvd's have all versions (Starter, Basic, Home, Pro, Ultimate) even though the label says otherwise. The Product
Key provided is for the version on the label and provides the ability to install 'that' version.

Picture (snapshot) from a full version retail Win7 Pro DVD (shortened SkyDrive link to pic):
http://sdrv.ms/W3VlwM


Fyi..A quick look at the MSFT (and expected) only shows a few versions of Win7 available (in stock) and capable of being ordered.
Not easy to find, no option on the store home page for Win7, but entering Windows 7 in the search box provides Home, Pro,
Ultimate...very few are available (forever or temporary due to Win8 ???).

Other folks have provided the technical aspects/links of using a full version to install a different version....though just like an
included Product Key (e.g. Win7 Pro retail DVD) one needs to have a valid license and key to facilitate the install.