Win7 OEM disks

dryfly wrote:
Please don't think I'm ungrateful for your detailed explanations but I fully understand restore, OEM, retail, different versions, etc. I've build my own machines for 15 years and have had experienced with most all of these different versions at one time or another. I know it's not possible to have 2 copies running at the same time, restore only to same computer, etc, etc.

Please see my OP. I'm simply asking if it's hypothetically possible to install for a second time an OEM disc. Nothing more. This assumes the first PC was destroyed. Not if it is approved by MS licensing, but is it physically possible. Will it activate if no other computer is currently running on the same activation code.

Not to be argumentative, but how do Ebay sellers of software that will not function continue to get favorable results. Most are scrutinized pretty heavy and bad sales would be reported quickly. I know I'm getting off topic here......

thanks

THE DISC HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THE AMOUNT OF INSTALLATIONS.

IT IS THE LICENSE KEY THAT IS THE PROBLEM..

THE KEY THAT YOU MUST ENTER IS CAPTURED EVERY TIME YOU ACTIVATE.

MS COLLECTS EACH KEY ACTIVATION.

ONCE YOU REACH A THRESHOLD OF TIMES THAT KEY HAS BEEN ACTIVATED IT IS LOCKED OUT.

THE DISC CAN BE REUSED THOUSANDS OF TIMES ON THOUSANDS OF DIFFERENT PCS.

THE KEY CAN NOT BE REUSED ON MULTIPLE PCS.

UNDERSTAND?

It is for that reason you SHOULD be wary of buying supposed NEW license keys from any source other than MS (and yes MS will sell you a new key but don't expect any discounts).

You can buy discs which are used but those are not really legit or legal to do so.. The disc AND key are a package deal, MS never intended on the discs or keys to be sold separately to the public..

The ONLY exception to the activation rule is when you are dealing with a PC manufacturer restore disc.. Those discs as long as it is the SAME manufacturer DO NOT REQUIRE ACTIVATION..

Manufacturers like Dell and HP PREACTIVATE the PC, and as long as you use THEIR RESTORE DISC you should never ever ever be asked to activate the OS.. This is due to the special code string (which is not the actual key) that is created by that manufacturer and is put into the BIOS.. That code string tells Windows to ignore the activation..

Being you are building your own PCs you must activate the PC and the license key is your problem, not the disc.

Please don't think I'm ungrateful for your detailed explanations but I fully understand restore, OEM, retail, different versions, etc. I've build my own machines for 15 years and have had experienced with most all of these different versions at one time or another. I know it's not possible to have 2 copies running at the same time, restore only to same computer, etc, etc.

Please see my OP. I'm simply asking if it's hypothetically possible to install for a second time an OEM disc. Nothing more. This assumes the first PC was destroyed. Not if it is approved by MS licensing, but is it physically possible. Will it activate if no other computer is currently running on the same activation code.

Not to be argumentative, but how do Ebay sellers of software that will not function continue to get favorable results. Most are scrutinized pretty heavy and bad sales would be reported quickly. I know I'm getting off topic here......

thanks

dryfly wrote:
I have read where OEM WIN7 disks are tied to the original computer and can never be reinstalled to another motherboard. Out of curiosity is this a just "licensing issue" or will the activation key simply not work on a second install.

Will the same thing occur on disks labeled "intended for distribution with a refurbished PC"?

The simple answer is that its not the WIN 7 DVD, with some exceptions, but the WIN OEM Key that's registered to a particular PC hardware. DON'T try to install WIN 7 on a second computer using the same registered OEM Key. Microsoft will invalidate BOTH computers, not just the second install. You will then have to call Microsoft and explain why the same Key was used to validate two different computers.

The exception to the WIN 7 DVD is that some manufactures tie the disc to their OEM Key. So both the WIN 7 disc and Key must be from the same company such as from DELL. But, doesn't mean that it won't install on another brand of computer. Many times will.

Restore discs are different from standalone WIN 7 discs, and generally tied to specific hardware from a particular manufacturer.

Bottom-line, don't use the same OEM Key on more than one computer.

BTW, I use the same WIN 7 DVD to install on multiple desktops and notebooks. Even generating different WIN 7 versions from the same DVD. But use a valid Key for each install only once.

dryfly wrote:
I have read where OEM WIN7 disks are tied to the original computer and can never be reinstalled to another motherboard. Out of curiosity is this a just "licensing issue" or will the activation key simply not work on a second install.

Will the same thing occur on disks labeled "intended for distribution with a refurbished PC"?

The real answer is rather complicated.. I will see if I can explain things a bit better..

You have several "channels" of distribution.

You have "retail" or "box" channel in which you get from a retail store.

You have "OEM" channels.

Retail keys do not work with OEM disc and OEM keys do not work with retail disc.

Within each "channel" there are "home", "media center", "pro" versions.. The keys from EACH version will not work with any other version of disc.

Under OEM channels you have "system builder" and "Embedded" systems. The keys and discs in this are one in the same BUT "Embbeded" is meant for manufacturers "embedding" a PC within a "machine" or device.

Embbeded licensing is a restricted license and manufacturer must enable only the parts of the OS to make that device work and any other use (like surfing the web) while the device is supposed to be doing something else is prohibited.

Now, to get into the heart of the OPs question about activation or use of a disc..

IF your PC came from a manufacturer which HAS OEM SYSTEM BUILDER license agreement AND the OEM has preactivated the PC, they will provide what is known as a "recovery" disc or partition.

This disc or partition is LOCKED to the MANUFACTURER of the PC and can not be used on a different manufacturer PC system board (IE a Dell recovery disc will refuse to load the OS onto a HP PC).

This applies only to preactivated PCs in which you do not ever have to reactivate the PC as long as you use the correct recovery disc.

OEMs that use this method MUST insert a special code string into the BIOS (which you the user are not able to see or change), the recovery disc will look at the BIOS and if it finds the correct code it will work and never need activated..

You can reinstall this MILLIONS of times and never once need activation.. You could try this on any of the same manufacturer models and for the most part it should install..

Now if you buy a PC from a "garage guy" or build one from scratch and buy a OEM system builder the license IS "married" to that system board.. You WILL need to activate the install and when activation is granted the license key is married to that system board and is not transferable to another PC system board (there may be an exception to this which will make an allowance for a system board replacement in case of MB failure).

Retail box does not have that limitation and can be "moved" to a different system board in the case of you upgrading to a new PC provided your old install is deleted..

In the case of activations, you are allowed multiple activations on the SAME system board.. However reactivation too often or too many times will result in you getting kicked out of the online activation and you will have to plead your case over the phone to MS..

Clear as mud??

I would be very wary of ANY Ebay, Craigslist or even Amazon sellers now days selling a Retail OR OEM version of Win7.. Good chance you will get a dud license.. Retail packs have been off the market for at least 4 yrs, and OEM system builder was the only one you could buy legit a couple of years ago..

If you have a complete set of retail, or system builder disc
Then yes it's possible to install on another computer

But
If what you have is a recovery disc from the pc Mfg
Then no it will not install on another pc

greenrvgreen wrote:
Carefully read the reviews of Win7 disks marketed as "intended for distribution with a refurbished PC"? These do NOT appear to be clean OEM disks, AFAICT.

I'm delaying my purchase of a Win7 OEM disk until I find a clear path to installing this on a Skylake mobo. Apparently Wintel have effectively closed the downgrade door to any but actual system builders by making it extremely difficult to do.

MSFT has committed to printing Win7 OEM disks for another year, so there's time to fiddle.

Yes, I've seen some of those reviews and it's flaky. Some say they are pirated but MS does issue that type of license, so I don't really know. Right now I'm watching ebay for retail versions at a reduced price. I'm currently running an OEM disk install and need another for an IP camera system. Can't see buying another OEM if in fact it's only good for one time use.

Carefully read the reviews of Win7 disks marketed as "intended for distribution with a refurbished PC"? These do NOT appear to be clean OEM disks, AFAICT.

I'm delaying my purchase of a Win7 OEM disk until I find a clear path to installing this on a Skylake mobo. Apparently Wintel have effectively closed the downgrade door to any but actual system builders by making it extremely difficult to do.

MSFT has committed to printing Win7 OEM disks for another year, so there's time to fiddle.

dryfly wrote:

Yes, I've read the licensing agreement. As per my OP I'm interested in knowing if there actually is some rom signature attached to the first activation that physically prevents reinstalling on a second computer. Hypothetically...... you understand!

I fall asleep when I try to read MS licensing agreements. When someone says "you cant" I never know if it's actually impossible or illigal.

yes there is a signature tied to the first (and subsequent) activations, this is true for all versions, not just oem.

different license versions of windows have different "activation counts" which are software limits imposed by Microsoft. they can tell how many different signatures that license key has been installed on, and eventually activation will fail, prompting you to call MS for assistance. signature doesn't equal computer. changing a hard drive for example changes the signature.

Windows 7 and above have a unique fingerprint in the media, that identifies where it came from, and this fingerprint is signature is passed on during online activation. ms can tell if you're using dell media on an hp system for example. do they care? I doubt it for Joe Camper. They do make an example of businesses and universities on occasion.

Sometimes you can, sometimes you can't. It's not anything embedded in the ROM, the install disk does a hardware check. If it doesn't see what's programmed to look for it won't install.

GordonThree wrote:
while not legal, it's often possible.

read your end-user license agreement, you did not "buy" windows with that original computer, you bought a license to run windows on that exact computer.

the only license that are transferable are retail (boxed copy for example) or volume-licensed (enterprise level stuff). oem and system-builder licenses are non transferable, been that way for a long time.

i point this out not to chastise but simply to highlight how ridiculous software licensing is/has become.

Yes, I've read the licensing agreement. As per my OP I'm interested in knowing if there actually is some rom signature attached to the first activation that physically prevents reinstalling on a second computer. Hypothetically...... you understand!

I fall asleep when I try to read MS licensing agreements. When someone says "you cant" I never know if it's actually impossible or illigal.