What's the difference between the OEM and retail versions of Vista?

[Terminus_Est]

Purely anecdotally, my home PC has had all its components replaced over the years. Not even the case is the one I started out with. I’ve replaced the motherboard twice. I’ve had to reactivate Windows XP several times, both after I’ve reinstalled XP from scratch or when I’ve just replaced a couple of parts. Only once have I had to call Microsoft and even then a pleasant-voiced woman with a slight Indian accent read my activation code to me without hassle. Since that call, I have reactivated XP a couple times through the normal online process.

This is the same copy of Windows XP with the same product code that I’ve been using for years. I’m sure Microsoft has me on their criminal watchlist, yet they happily continue to supply me with activation codes.

[Quartz]

@drachillix

Motherboard failures are allowed, I have done activations of dozens of OEM machines after mobo failures.

Similarly when my own mobo failed, I was allowed to reinstall.

[Dewey_Finn]

@Balthisar

what’s the definition of a computer? If I replace every single component in the case, but use the same keyboard and monitor and mouse, then is it the same of a different computer?

Isn’t this an old philosophical question (not about computers obviously, but still)?

[Uncommon_Sense]

About half-way down.

If I have to reinstall the product, is reactivation required?

Reactivation is not always required when you reinstall the product. If the same version of the product is reinstalled on the same computer and the hard disk is not reformatted before the product is reinstalled, the product remains activated. Reactivation is required if the hard disk is reformatted and then the product is reinstalled. Reactivation is required because the product’s activation status is stored on the hard disk and reformatting the hard disk removes that status.

Can I change or upgrade my hardware components?
MPA can tolerate some change in hardware components by allowing a degree of difference between the current hash value and the hash value that was originally activated. Users can change hardware components without having to reactivate the product. If users make substantial changes to their hardware components, even over long periods of time, they may have to reactivate the product. In that case, users may have to contact a Microsoft customer service representative by telephone to reactivate.

What are the 10 hardware characteristics that are used to determine the hardware hash?
The following 10 hardware characteristics are used to determine the hardware hash:
• Display adapter
• SCSI adapter
• IDE adapter
• Network adapter media access control address
• RAM amount range (for example, 0-64MB or 64-128MB)
• Processor type
• Processor serial number
• Hard disk device
• Hard disk volume serial number
• CD-ROM/CD-RW/DVD-ROM drive

[DWMarch]

I realize anecdotes don’t equal data but I’m also another person who has reactived XP without hassle despite replacing the motherboard. I even told them it died (it didn’t, I just replaced it) and they still gave me the code. The guy in India does not care. He is not paid to care or to argue and if you’ve got a valid reason to reactivate, you can do so without any hassle.

Now that only applies to XP however. Vista might be a different story. I’m buying Windows Vista retail and getting a full version of the product just to be on the safe side. From what I’ve read so far OEM licenses are not transferable and upgrade versions have to be installed from within an activated, verified version of XP (cite). So just to be on the safe side, get a full version and don’t get OEM if you’re planning on upgrading anytime soon.

[Cleophus]

@DWMarch

I realize anecdotes don’t equal data but I’m also another person who has reactived XP without hassle despite replacing the motherboard.

Yeah, I’ve done it too, along with some other installs where I’ve been, shall we say, less than forthcoming about the system’s current state.

This page indicates, with links to the MS OEM System Builder’s site (which I can’t access) that confirm that mobo upgrades aren’t covered, and that repairs are supposed to be the same make/model (direct replacement) or covered under a warranty, even though we’ve, and others, have gotten away with it.

[Diceman]

@Dewey Finn

If you want to check whether your system is compatible with Windows Vista, you can download and run the Windows Vista Upgrade Advisor.

I’ve actually run that before. It says I’m OK, but I’m still planning on getting new hardware, just because my computer is several years old and getting kinda slow. I’m bothered by the requirement that upgrade Vista be installed onto a pre-existing installation of XP. I don’t want to have to re-install XP first if I ever have to re-install Vista. I might end up buying a full version, just to avoid any potential hassle.

OTOH, I’ve read that all versions of Vista ship with the exact same disk, and it’s the key that determines what features you can use. This is supposed to allow people to upgrade Vista to a better version without reinstalling the OS. If this is true, then perhaps it might it be possible to buy an upgrade version, and later on upgrade that to a full version if that becomes necessary? That’s something I’ll have to look into. It’ll be a few months before I buy any new equipment, so these sorts of issues should be fully sorted out by then.

[alterego]

Here’s the straight dope on this, hot off the presses from ArsTechnica: Buying OEM versions of Windows Vista: the facts