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  Tom's Hardware Forums » Windows Vista » Vista General Discussion » windows vista serial - oem/retail difference
 

windows vista serial - oem/retail difference




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Profile: newbie
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Quick question.

I picked up a second hand computer and in the stuff that came with it was a copy of windows vista home. The computer has no hard drive at the mo so cant get any info about it. I'm trying to find out if its a retail copy or oem copy. I know in the past OEM copies have had the letters OEM in the serial number - is that still the case? This one does not have OEM in the serial so I'm hoping its a retail copy so I can install it on another computer instead of this one (I know you cant install the same copy one 2 computers at the same time).

Can anyone clarify?

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Profile: member
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it will say OEM in the second set in the serial number.

ex. xxxx-OEM-xxxx-xxxx

Profile: newbie
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As I understand it OEM doesnt appear in the serial number but in the authorisation code that appears after the serial number has been put in.


  Tom's Hardware Forums » Windows Vista » Vista General Discussion » windows vista serial - oem/retail difference

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