The MGA Report is showing that the motherboard is retail - <Manufacturer>To Be Filled By O.E.M.</Manufacturer>
- This would normally say something like "Dell" or "Lenovo" or "Gateway" if it were an OEM motherboard.
Windows Product ID: 00371-OEM-9307225-19760 - This shows that it is an OEM OS. That means the OS was sourced from a major manufacturer.
The above two cannot co-exist on the same PC. Where did you get the CD and what is the OS listed on the COA Sticker? Also does the Product Key on the sticker match the one that is listed in the MGA Report? (do NOT list the Product Key from the
sticker here)
Finally, there are three types of licenses (at least as far as this conversation is concerned): OEM SLP/COA SLP, OEM System Builder and Retail.
OEM SLP/COA SLP is for large distributors like Dell. An OEM/SLP OS is married to the hardware on which it was originally installed and cannot be transferred to a new motherboard.
OEM System Builder is for smaller system builders and computer shops. A person who builds a computer for their own use or for friends/family is NOT a system builder as defined by the System Builder License! An OEM System Builder
OS cannot be transferred to another computer but can be transferred WITH the computer if the computer is transferred to new ownership.
Retail is basically what's left. It does not necessarily refer to how it was purchased, but rather what rights are allowed in the license. A Retail license can be moved from one set of hardware to another as long as the first
one is no longer using the OS.
ANSWER: The key on the COA sticker matches the key in the MGADiag report.
ANSWER: The OS shown on the COA sticker is Windows 7 Pro OA OEM Software.
ANSWER: The DVD came from an auction site.
QUESTION: The auction page includes this information:
"Microsoft's Distribution Agreement for System Builders states that the system builder software packs are not intended for distribution to end users unless the end users are acting as system builders by assembling
their own PCs. A "system builder" is anyone who assembles, reassembles or installs software on a new or used computer system. For OEM software, your software will be bundled with an AS IS non-working hard drive."
Is that information correct, incorrect, or illegal? If it's incorrect or illegal, I don't understand how major UK retail outlets can sell OEM versions of Windows to the public (I'd post a link to one such retailer - ebuyer.com - but
this forum won't let me post links or images!)
EDIT - ANSWER TO MY OWN QUESTION
According to this article from PC Pro magazine, Microsoft is quite happy for
end user builders to use OEM versions of Windows (I'm not allowed to post links so add the www prefix): pcpro.co.uk/features/351598/how-to-buy-windows-7-for-50-less-the-truth-about-oem-versions
In case you can't get the link to work, this is from the article (pages 1 & 2) - the third line below is the crucial bit:
......... However, it seems common sense has prevailed, and it’s clear from our interview with Laurence Painell that Microsoft is actually quite happy for consumers to install the OEM version
of Windows themselves.
“Fundamentally, if a consumer is building their own PC, and we know a lot of enthusiasts do, then the OEM product is obviously a good product to do that,” Painell assured me.
“If they build their own PCs and they understand the complexities of setting up a PC from bare tin then by all means they’re welcome to take the OEM product and install it on a PC. It is
designed to be installed on a new-built PC.”
NB. I believe Laurence Painell was Windows Product Manager at the time of the interview and when Windows 7 was launched. The article continues (pages 2 & 3):
.........
There’s one fundamental difference between buying a full retail Windows 7 box and the OEM version: the ownership of the licence. When you buy a retail box, it’s your licence. If you want
to install it on a completely different PC, you can.
If you buy the OEM version, the licence is limited to the first PC you install it on.
“Typically the OEM product is tied to the motherboard,” explained Painell. “It’s the one component we do tie the OEM product to and the only thing that shouldn’t really change in the PC.
People will typically upgrade a hard drive, people will typically upgrade a processor, people will typically upgrade a graphics card, but the motherboard is pretty much the heart of the PC and as such is what we link the OEM product too.”
All is not lost however: “Obviously components do fail, and [in those situations] we would make exceptions and allow people to transfer the licence to another motherboard,” said Painell.
“But we would ask that you transfer the licence to a like-for-like motherboard, or as close as you can to it.”
Unlike a retail box, where you’ll be able to activate the new installation of Windows online, to activate the OEM version you’ll need to phone in for a new activation code.
Is my Windows 7 genuine?
