What is Digg?128 Comments
- ooter, on 10/12/2007, -1/+74You do know that a MAC address identifies a network interface, not a motherboard, right?
- ooter, on 10/12/2007, -4/+65Wrong. I'm a gamer. PC games run mostly on Windows. New pc games will either require Vista, or will get a graphical upgrade from using DX10. Thus, I need to have windows to enjoy the latest games.
Sure, you can try to screw around with wine and cedega on linux to get gaming compatibility for free (or cheap, with cedega), but its not worth my time. Macs are getting more games every day, thats great, but as a gaming platform, its hard to argue that there is a better OS than Windows, sheerly due to the vast library of titles available.
Bottom line: I'd much rather pay the $120 and have my machine run all the latest games for the next couple years then struggle with the support of Linux or the small library of the Mac. - Andy.D, on 10/12/2007, -2/+62If your motherboard goes bad, you are covered. The loophole is easily exploited: you just tell them that your mobo died, and you're golden. I had this happen to me once, and the phone support guys couldn't care less. Like the article points out though, this policy could change at any moment.
- Technopundit, on 10/12/2007, -10/+46I use Windows because 90-something percent of the civilized world uses it. If I only moved through tunnels connecting neighborhood basements populated with sun-adverse trekkies, I'd use Ubuntu.
- diggedy, on 10/12/2007, -12/+39Linking the OS to the motherboard - ugh. I've fried several motherboards in building new systems. These kinds of restrictions for both the retail and OEM versions are preventing me going to the store right now. I have a PC that works reasonably well with XP, that I would like to upgrade to Vista but know that within 6 months or so, I'll be upgrading. I'd like to transfer Vista to the new machine (the old one will be retired) but M$ just makes it so difficult. And there's no way I'm buying two copies. I'll keep to XP for now.
- EXreaction, on 10/12/2007, -2/+22Retail packages can be moved as many times as you want. MS removed the limit a while back.
- Elranzer, on 10/12/2007, -2/+20So there's more freedom with the Upgrade version, then? That's easy. While the installer checks XP for piracy, it also will upgrade 2000, which has no WGA-like detector. Just buy the Upgrade version and put it on top of a pirated copy of 2000.
- kenstone, on 10/12/2007, -0/+17not so good at the reading, eh slyguy?
- vertinox, on 10/12/2007, -1/+17@"Well you shouldn't have to tell them that kind of stuff to start with. This was a stupid idea from the start, and they'd be better off chaining it."
Personally, I like to think that every time I call Microsoft's 800 number to get XP re authenticated that it makes them die slowly at $3 bucks a minute. Only 4,343,234,343 phone calls to go! - adml_shake, on 10/12/2007, -7/+23Well you shouldn't have to tell them that kind of stuff to start with. This was a stupid idea from the start, and they'd be better off chaining it.
- strictnein, on 10/12/2007, -1/+13I think you meant: "I like how MS creates a unique one way hash based on the computer hardware I have"
- revenge7, on 10/12/2007, -0/+11Or, you can get the academic version, which is just like retail, for half the price.
- Technopundit, on 10/12/2007, -3/+14Try an old copy of Windows '98. It's easier to set up, and works about the same. Plus, the freeware is better. AND it does Wi-Fi.
- dragonmantank, on 10/12/2007, -1/+12If it's anything like VMWare, yes. The 'hardware' in the virtual machine will be the same in every single machine you build, so the OS shouldn't notice you moving it from Mac to Mac.
The restriction on this is that only Ultimate can be VMed legally, because users of the other versions aren't technically savvy enough to want vritualization according to MS (if I'm remembering the virtualization aspect in the EULA). - dvddesign, on 10/12/2007, -0/+11In as much as the people in india have a script, prep your own to parrot back at them and you won't run into problems with your own copy.
I've reused my XP on several different computers over the years. When I've had to phone in, I tell them I'm the builder, it's OEM, and yes this is the only computer it's installed on. Why am I reactivating? HDD broke, reinstalled.
And getting a human on the phone is dead easy too.
When it's asking you to read the number, mumble. Do it 3 times and they skip you past the auto phone verification process and you get a human on the phone. From the start of the phone call to a human usually takes me 30-40 seconds. - theblackgecko, on 10/12/2007, -3/+13@Technopundit
93% of mutual funds have lower returns than the S&P 500. Yet, people pay fees to invest in such funds.
It's entirely possible for something to completely suck and most people to be too stupid to realize it. - thebman990, on 10/12/2007, -1/+11Linux is still not ready for the desktop. I tried Ubuntu, and I had to hack the command line for like 5 hours to do anything like play an mp3 or read NTFS or use a flash site. I'm a computer tech, but I just don't have time for that. Linux is very stable and flexible, but not very user friendly.
- KyjL, on 10/12/2007, -0/+9tl;dr:
1) OEM copies don't come in pretty boxes, nor do they include manuals.
2) Cannot be returned once opened.
3) Tied to the motherboard it is first installed on. Everything else is fair game.
4) You get either 32-bit OR 64-bit. You cannot get both on one DVD, unlike the retail version.
5) You're your own support. If it breaks, you gotta fix it yourself, unless you want to cough up for paid support. - hobano, on 10/12/2007, -2/+10Do you really think we give a *****?
- gamerzworld, on 10/12/2007, -1/+9No it doesn't. natch. That line has been in every single Windows EULA and I can still use my XP.
Also, OEM is not an upgrade copy. OEM is a full copy. - superkendall, on 10/12/2007, -0/+8The difference is once you are running the system you have more restrictions. For example, OS X itself does not even have a license key you enter when installing, much less constantly check to make sure you are not running on some different system!
Instead Apple makes provisions for those with multiple computers and sells OS X in family packs good for five computers - though again, they don't check. It's a way for the consumer to be honest if they want to instead of the OS assuming every second or two that you are a thief who needs checking on.
Also, on a side note I can also buy different video cards for OS X as well for the desktop computers. - ateoto, on 10/12/2007, -7/+12This site was founded as a techie news site, not some site for porn and whatever the ***** else you expected. My apologies.... and if you're so hard up for porn, it makes me wonder why you accuse the rest of us of not getting laid.
- archer75, on 10/12/2007, -2/+7It's no more restrictive than XP is. And that has NEVER created issues for me.
- GoodOlClint, on 10/12/2007, -2/+7did you try the Windows Vista Upgrade Advisor?
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/windowsvista/buyorupgrade/upgradeadvisor.mspx - TheWorkz, on 10/12/2007, -0/+5Note: The upgrade advisor does not support the 64 bit version of Windows XP. I tryed it and it would not install..
- bmwboy, on 10/12/2007, -0/+5Yes, Microsoft phone activation people will allow this.
- Kanundra, on 10/12/2007, -1/+6There is a Windows Vista Upgrade Advisor that's similar to the Windows Experience Index. You can run it on 2000 or XP
- q3ctf4, on 10/12/2007, -2/+6The more Microsoft keeps annoying people with useless restrictions the more people are going to be moving over to Mac or Linux. They should focus more on making a better OS rather than nag screens. Anyone tech savvy can pirate windows if they want to, and Microsoft tries to deter the non-tech savvy. I can understand doing this for office applications where they pass around a cd but anyone who's not tech savvy isn't going to be passing around operating system cd's. Microsoft has to worry more about tech savvy people who have moved over to linux and can care less about pirating windows. Microsoft's motto use to be that if they pirate they should pirate windows.
- chromaphobic, on 10/12/2007, -2/+6It would probably be possible, but you have no guarantees. I would expect to have to go the manual phone-in route to re-validate though.
I went the OEM route with XP for my MacBook Pro, running it in both Boot Camp and Parallels, and I've already run into one case where it's asked me to re-validate (mind you, it was due to a documented Parallels bug, but it happened nonetheless.) It wouldn't re-validate over the net, nor via the automated phone system, so it was off to Mumbai for a manual re-validation. Whatever you do, don't tell them you're running it in a virtual environment on your Mac! Depending on the version of Vista you're running, that may be a EULA violation. I just told them the hard drive went bad so I had to re-install and they gave me the code as needed. - EmperorAwesome, on 10/12/2007, -1/+5They seem to have that covered. The OEM license clearly states that if a motherboard is fried, reported truthfully or not, they will re-activate you ONLY on the same model motherboard. If that motherboard is no longer in production, the closest (most primitive) match will have to do, and only with a notice from the manufacturer of the obsolete status and a *****-ton of invoices faxed to "John Smith" from Bangladore.
- Lighthater, on 10/12/2007, -0/+4I think there's a tree somewhere near by that you can hug. Don't forget your tinfoil hat on the way out.
- UberC, on 10/12/2007, -0/+4I bought an OEM of xp and was able to reactivate it after swapping the motherboard no problem. In fact, I just did it today.
- CraWea, on 10/12/2007, -0/+4Another reason to not buy OEM:
If the CD should happen to, say, FRIGGIN BLOW UP in your computer during installation of Windows, completely mutilating the CD-drive (yes, just like on MythBusters), then good luck getting Microsoft to replace the drive or the CD.
http://img528.imageshack.us/my.php?image=image025tr3.jpg
Sorry for the caps. Yes, I am bitter.
Atleast now I feel that I "earned" my Pirate Bay Vista-copy. :-P - lvdrummer, on 10/12/2007, -1/+5They logged your hardware profile starting with Server 2003. Windows server products are what influence the future desktop products. I personally think it's reasonable for MS to put restrictions on their products. God knows we all have copies of 95 thru 2000 that MS let us get away with. Now that I'm an adult, I don't waste my time trying to crack an OS which I might add will only work until they correct the crack then you have to do it all over again. Is your OS something that you want to take that risk with?
Note of the obvious: You cannot upgrade using the OEM disk. If you have to ask why not.... you really shouldn't be here. - TheFinestShadow, on 10/12/2007, -1/+5This was a good read. It has put some consideration of buying OEM into my mind as well as cleared a few things up. I use XP now and plan on upgrading to Vista when I can, but no rush, mind you. Of course, I could always go to OS X too... *buried*
- dargon, on 10/12/2007, -0/+3had you read the article, you'd know that in the past this is perfectly acceptable provided you told microsoft that and that it's UNKNOWN right now whether or not it'll continue to be fine.
- ateoto, on 10/12/2007, -2/+5I can't really vouch for the rest of your comment, but Newegg does sell the 64bit version of Vista OEM, if you're brave enough to go that route.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.asp?SrchInDesc=64-bit&Page=1&Category=35&N=2000350368+50001149&Submit=ENE&Nty=1&Subcategory=368&Manufactory=1149 - uptown, on 10/12/2007, -1/+4Great, thanks very much.
- Midnightbrewer, on 10/12/2007, -0/+3For most people, there isn't a very compelling reason to get 64-bit Vista. If the software you're using doesn't support it, let alone your motherboard (re: total installable RAM), then don't bother. Otherwise, if you end up buying one OEM license, using it for two years, and then getting a second computer that forces you to buy another license, you've still paid for a total of only one retail license. Two-for-one sounds good to me.
- Hacktivist, on 10/12/2007, -6/+9oh noes, they know that someone with serial number 1234567890 has a certain motherboard.
- CrudoMacDoogle, on 10/12/2007, -1/+4Plus my math sucks
- meltingrobot, on 10/12/2007, -0/+3Oh, nevermind. Just saw the Ubuntu logo he is using. Personally, I keep an XP machine around for BF2 and CS:S. That's all I use it for though. I won't use Vista until there is something worth making that switch.
- OBKenobi, on 10/12/2007, -1/+4[quote]my neighbor is one of the head guys of the vista project[/quote]
Can you kick him in the nuts next time you see him? Or maybe leave a flaming bag of poo on his doorstep? - kenstone, on 10/12/2007, -0/+3He was summarizing the article. You get support from Microsoft, but you won't get support from the retailer who sold you the OEM copy.
- archer75, on 10/12/2007, -4/+7More restrictions than OSX? At least I can install it on hardware of my choice. I can grab any video card off the shelf and it will work. I don't have to buy overpriced apple hardware only to be limited by either the form factor or the drivers apple chooses to release.
- gal3on64, on 10/12/2007, -9/+12Who BUYS vista, seriously?
- chrisxkelley, on 10/12/2007, -0/+3@macsuxwindozsux
"... isn't not ..."
Aha! Sneaky double negative in there. Yes they are, I knew it! - UberC, on 10/12/2007, -0/+3yes
- p_o_b, on 10/12/2007, -1/+4"liars don't get ice cream"
- ericnmu, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2Are the MSDNAA versions of Vista OEM?
How about the Power Together version? -
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