OEM Windows 7 Copy Dell re-install dvd HELP!

RoGueDanneRZ · Sep 13, 2014

Okay, so I'm going to build a new PC and for the OS I bought an OEM copy of Windows 7, apparently saving a lot of money.

When the disk arrived (it came from a German seller called mediashopberlin via Amazon) I opened the case to see a product key and a Dell branded dsik. It says it can only be used to reinstall the OS on a Dell PC.

Obviously my PC is a custom build and not a Dell; so my Q is this:

Assuming this disk has NOT been used already, will it work? And if so, does it matter that my PC is not a Dell? I have no way of knowing if this has been used already and re packaged, but since its an OEM unit I've learned it can only be used once.

PS I have all my other parts ready to be built but I haven't started the build yet.

USAFRet · Sep 13, 2014

"Saving money" when buying a Windows OS usually ends up badly.

And that install might be completely in German.

RoGueDanneRZ · Sep 13, 2014

USAFRet :

Well on the disc it says it supports a bunch of languages, including English, and it came with instructions in English and German.

USAFRet · Sep 13, 2014

Will it work? Unknown. Try it.

Has it already been used and activated? Possibly.

RoGueDanneRZ · Sep 13, 2014

USAFRet :

Okay I'll go ahead and try it but assuming it doesn't work should I still get an OEM copy of windows but from a more respectable seller (I've heard OEM is good for building a PC)? Or just by a full version of Windows?

bignastyid · Sep 13, 2014

Is the COA sticker(has the product key on it) also Dell branded?

RoGueDanneRZ · Sep 13, 2014

bignastyid :

The COA sticker with the product key does say Dell on it.

USAFRet · Sep 13, 2014

RoGueDanneRZ :

Then you may have given someone some extra money....
That is for reinstall of a preinstalled OS on a Dell PC.

bignastyid · Sep 13, 2014

RoGueDanneRZ :

You got scammed. The seller probably stripped it off a dead Dell and resold it. Even if it does activate it's still not technically legal as its a EULA violation. The Key was only meant to be used on a Dell system. Contact Amazon and they maybe able to help you get your money back and get the scammer banned from selling on amazon.

RoGueDanneRZ · Sep 13, 2014

bignastyid :

Okay thanks I'll try and get my money back, but am I safe getting a replacement OEM copy directly from Amazon; could you point me to a suitable copy for a PC build please?

JDFan · Sep 13, 2014

Depends -- since it is Dell branded it might require a Dell BIOS on the MOBO <mod edit> or may not activate properly. - though sometimes entering the key code from the OEM sticker will get it to activate without the proper BIOS code on the MOBO - No way to know for sure without trying oncve installed. ( in either case the original activation will probably fail since the disk is actually a reinstall image that includes the Dell bloatware and not an actual windows install disk and many times includes the DELL SLP key already encoded on the install image but in order to activate properly needs the matching Dell MOBO BIOS chip - so most likely the initial attempt to activate will fail and you will then need to enter the code from the included COA sticker to change the code from the DELL SP key to the individual code on the sticker ( these COA stickers are used for reinstalling the software if the DELL SLP key will not activate. So may work once entered.

If entering the COA code still does not work then you may be stuck since MS will tell you it is a DELL branded disk so DELL will have to help you get it activated and DELL will tell you that you are not using a DELL system MOBO so they can not help (that's the problem with purchasing these disks) -- But it might work so worth a try just do not be upset if it doesn't as the only recourse then would be to contact the person you bought it from, since it is not a DELL or MS purchase they will not be likely to help

<Mod Warning: Don't talk about how to get around SLIC authentication>

RoGueDanneRZ · Sep 13, 2014

I just checked my original order from Amazon, the seller's (mediashopberlin) said "suitable for all systems, new install and NEW COA" so it may be fine. If it does not work I'll ask for a refund.

bignastyid · Sep 13, 2014

RoGueDanneRZ :

The COA is Dell labeled(so it's not suitable for all systems) meaning either the the seller is an idiot who doesn't understand the way Microsoft's licensing works or he just flat out lied to make some money. It may install it may even activate but it's still not a valid/legal license.

JDFan · Sep 13, 2014

The COA is Dell labeled(so it's not suitable for all systems) meaning either the the seller is an idiot who doesn't understand the way Microsoft's licensing works or he just flat out lied to make some money. It may install it may even activate but it's still not a valid/legal license.

You have to remember that the legalities vary from country to country - for example in Germany under the new act :

The new Act amends the statutory warranties for contracts of sale and contracts analogized to sale contracts. In this respect, under German law a software license would be analogized to a sale if (i) standard (i.e., not customized) software is the subject of the contract, (ii) the right to use the software is perpetual, and (iii) the license fee is a one-time fee. If one of these criteria were not present, the contract would be regarded as a lease.

So if the software is being sold by microsoft and not leased - it is not able to be legally restricted to use on a single system as the license to use it when sold is Perpetual. So whether it is a valid\legal license would depend on where it was being used and whether having purchased it from a german supplier makes the license to use it is transferable under the various agreements between those countries.

USAFRet · Sep 13, 2014

But in this case, it is not 'sold' by MS, but by some dude on eBay. Where is the buyer? Germany, USA, elsewhere?

And being a "Dell" disk, the 'customization' rule would seem to apply.
Then again, I'm not a lawyer.

JDFan · Sep 13, 2014

And we also don't know if this company bought them directly from Dell as a reseller either or what agreement Dell entered with Microsoft as far as the sale of the licenses (ie. can Dell purchase them and sell them without being installed on a system - or can they sell them on defective systems to refurbishers even if they were not originally ever used since the system was defective) etc. etc.

Which is why license activation is such a confusing area - since the OP bought the product albeit at a reduced price from a third party - there are so many variables that trying to say whether it is a legal license to use windows is really hard to determine, so really the only thing to do is install it and see if MS's activation servers will activate it (and does the server activating it make it "legal" or is it still "illegal" even though Ms's own server says it is genuine and "legal") and go from there.

RoGueDanneRZ · Sep 17, 2014

For future reference and anyone who comes across this thread in the future; it had a happy ending. The install of Windows went perfectly - I wasn't even asked for the product key, and I am now up to date and up and running. So I saved a good amount of money.

OEM Windows 7 Copy Dell re-install dvd HELP!

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