Trying to purchase Windows 7 OS to replace Windows XP. Can't decipher advertising jargon to decide which is the best option and price. Full Version, OEM, Branded, Upgrade, are just a few of the descriptions online. Of course MS prices are too high but I wonder if the alternatives are safe and fully functional.
Truth In Advertising
- Thread starter jljking
- Start date
Solution
getochkn
Polypheme
- Jul 2, 2006
- 12,407
- 54
- 65,040
Anywhere that is selling any less that 10% or so of MS is usually a scam with a pirated key. You simply can't get them any cheaper from MS even if you buy in bulk.
Branded ones are usually tied to a particular company like Dell, HP, etc. You can't buy these, they are only sold directly to those companies.
Upgrade means you need a previous OS installed on your HD to install. Cheaper but a pain sometimes. If you need to reinstall, sometimes you have to install the full previous OS first, just so it can detect it, and then do the upgrade.
OEM/System builders. These are made for people making their own PC's. The problem with Windows 7 is it is tied to that particular hardware. Changing out a motherboard can result in the Windows becoming deactivated as you changed the hardware and that copy was only licensed to that particular set of hardware you installed it on.
Full is a full version, no upgrade needed, you can change hardware, do what you want with the OS. Most expensive.
Branded ones are usually tied to a particular company like Dell, HP, etc. You can't buy these, they are only sold directly to those companies.
Upgrade means you need a previous OS installed on your HD to install. Cheaper but a pain sometimes. If you need to reinstall, sometimes you have to install the full previous OS first, just so it can detect it, and then do the upgrade.
OEM/System builders. These are made for people making their own PC's. The problem with Windows 7 is it is tied to that particular hardware. Changing out a motherboard can result in the Windows becoming deactivated as you changed the hardware and that copy was only licensed to that particular set of hardware you installed it on.
Full is a full version, no upgrade needed, you can change hardware, do what you want with the OS. Most expensive.
punahou1
Distinguished
- Dec 26, 2010
- 288
- 0
- 18,810
Assuming you already have a genuine copy of Windows XP installed on your machine you will be able to use a version labeled "Upgrade". The OEM version is another low cost alternative but that will end up being tied to your MOBO - you will not be able to use that version with a new MOBO in the event you wanted to do an upgrade.
RetiredChief
Judicious
- Feb 22, 2007
- 8,528
- 0
- 32,960
Just some clarifcation to above popsts.
1) The OEM is tied to the MB it is first activated on. While you can NOT upgrade the Motherboard, You can change the MB if yours dies and reuse your OEM version.
The other difference is that with OEM version you can NOT call uSoft for technical support - NO BIGGY, that's why Toms is Here - LOL
PS THIS IS NOT the case with Windows 8 OEM version, with Windows 8 OEM you can upgrade the MB and transefer the Licence, or Sell your OLD system WITHOUT the Windows 8 and buy a Whole new system and reuse your Windows 8 OEM
2) On upgrade version. You MUST own a qualifing version for that computer. It does NOT have to be Installed. If after Installing, as an upgrade, and later on you need to re-install, YOU DO NOT have to first re-install the older windows. Just check doing a clean install using windows 7 upgrade version.
Personnaly it is only on rare cases that I buy a full version, I prefer to keep some of my money.
1) The OEM is tied to the MB it is first activated on. While you can NOT upgrade the Motherboard, You can change the MB if yours dies and reuse your OEM version.
The other difference is that with OEM version you can NOT call uSoft for technical support - NO BIGGY, that's why Toms is Here - LOL
PS THIS IS NOT the case with Windows 8 OEM version, with Windows 8 OEM you can upgrade the MB and transefer the Licence, or Sell your OLD system WITHOUT the Windows 8 and buy a Whole new system and reuse your Windows 8 OEM
2) On upgrade version. You MUST own a qualifing version for that computer. It does NOT have to be Installed. If after Installing, as an upgrade, and later on you need to re-install, YOU DO NOT have to first re-install the older windows. Just check doing a clean install using windows 7 upgrade version.
Personnaly it is only on rare cases that I buy a full version, I prefer to keep some of my money.
Thanks for the information and guidance. I can see there is much more to my dilemma than finding a cheap full version Win 7 OS. I have a small home network. Main PC is a Dell which I assume has a Branded WinXP installed. The two other PCs are refurbished Sonys running Win XP, and who knows what kind of software is under the hood? The Dell is dying and my thought was to purchase Win 7 32/64 bit, load and use the 32 bit on the Sonys until I can either build or buy a "Go Fast" PC to run with the 64 bit. I assumed that I could use the Win 7 on 3 PCs. Am I at least on the right track?
RetiredChief
Judicious
- Feb 22, 2007
- 8,528
- 0
- 32,960
1) The Windows 7 Licience is valid for use on only 1 computer. Microsoft did have what they called a Family pac where the "Key" was vaild for use on upto 3 computers. I did Buy the Family pac for home On sale for $125 (military discount)which was way cheaper than buying 3 seperate Windows 7 Licience's.
Might want to consider:
2) Windows 8 throws a monkey wrench into the mix which is complicated by the pending release of Windows 8.1
... Windows 8 - seems users either love it or hate it. I'm more middle of the road, I'm running it on a Laptop but currently have no intention of puting it on my desktops - Not sure about Windows 8.1. When it first came out it was a good buy as you could get the Upgrade version for $40 when it first came out.
... Windows 8 - Very fast boot time, My laptop, from the time I hit the Power on button to IE up and displaying a page is about 10 Sec compared to Windows 7 on my desktops being around 25 Sec. Security is currently better. The bad: No Start menu (correctable by third party add-ons). Without the add-on start menu things can be hard to find such as Windows back-up, control panel and power on off - They are there, just not out front.
.. Windows 8.1. Questions on how it will be treated, Service pac to 8,OR Upgrade?? Brings back some of the features missing that most complain about. While This new version is pretty good, it's acceptance is NOT, Reason for getting 8.1 out.
.. Good read: http://www.tomshardware.com/news/Windows-Blue-Windows-8.1-Review-Features-Changes,22285.html
More can be found @: http://www.google.com/#output=search&sclient=psy-ab&q=Windows+8.1&oq=Windows+8.1&gs_l=hp.3..0i3j0l3.1860.5462.0.8352.11.8.0.3.3.0.180.1251.0j8.8.0...0.0...1c.1.11.psy-ab.XSLfxuuWAA4&pbx=1&bav=on.2,or.r_qf.&bvm=bv.45645796,d.b2I&fp=c47dff8861c6da2&biw=1107&bih=809
My perspective is Windows 7 is good enough, Much better than XP. But with Windows 8.1 just around the corner it makes it a tough call to go with a OS that has already been Replaced. But then do you want the "NEW".
Might want to consider:
2) Windows 8 throws a monkey wrench into the mix which is complicated by the pending release of Windows 8.1
... Windows 8 - seems users either love it or hate it. I'm more middle of the road, I'm running it on a Laptop but currently have no intention of puting it on my desktops - Not sure about Windows 8.1. When it first came out it was a good buy as you could get the Upgrade version for $40 when it first came out.
... Windows 8 - Very fast boot time, My laptop, from the time I hit the Power on button to IE up and displaying a page is about 10 Sec compared to Windows 7 on my desktops being around 25 Sec. Security is currently better. The bad: No Start menu (correctable by third party add-ons). Without the add-on start menu things can be hard to find such as Windows back-up, control panel and power on off - They are there, just not out front.
.. Windows 8.1. Questions on how it will be treated, Service pac to 8,OR Upgrade?? Brings back some of the features missing that most complain about. While This new version is pretty good, it's acceptance is NOT, Reason for getting 8.1 out.
.. Good read: http://www.tomshardware.com/news/Windows-Blue-Windows-8.1-Review-Features-Changes,22285.html
More can be found @: http://www.google.com/#output=search&sclient=psy-ab&q=Windows+8.1&oq=Windows+8.1&gs_l=hp.3..0i3j0l3.1860.5462.0.8352.11.8.0.3.3.0.180.1251.0j8.8.0...0.0...1c.1.11.psy-ab.XSLfxuuWAA4&pbx=1&bav=on.2,or.r_qf.&bvm=bv.45645796,d.b2I&fp=c47dff8861c6da2&biw=1107&bih=809
My perspective is Windows 7 is good enough, Much better than XP. But with Windows 8.1 just around the corner it makes it a tough call to go with a OS that has already been Replaced. But then do you want the "NEW".
TRENDING THREADS
-
-
-
News US sanctions transform China into legacy chip production juggernaut — production jumped 40% in Q1 2024- Started by Admin
- Replies: 31
-
RTX 4070 vs RX 7900 GRE faceoff: Which mainstream graphics card is better?
- Started by Admin
- Replies: 70
-
Question I have been stuck between NVMe and SATA SSD. What should I do now?- Started by maniac2556
- Replies: 19
-
Question New pc build r9 7900x3d rtx 4080 super no post only ram rgb turns on- Started by Harvey Durward
- Replies: 5
-
Question 1TB HDD 80% Fragmented, Windows 10 Optimise Drives Program Doesn't Help
- Started by sdfbvcxbf
- Replies: 7
Latest posts
-
-
-
-
Question Cpu max clock speed showing up as the base speed in task manager
- Latest: Oliver Akehurst
-
Facebook
Twitter
Instagram