OEM vs full retail

Cap 'n' Crunch wrote:
> is the OEM version of xp home a time limited version that only lasts a month
> or so and then stops working? I installed some hardware (webcam, printer)
> and it seemed like it only worked for a period of time then stopped
> altogether. friend said I have OEM version of xp and it only lets you become
> familiar with the OS then is disabled, and then have to buy a full retail
> version to get full functionality back. my compaq came with dvd decoder
> software and dvd's play fine in WMP but in intervideo windvd it says its not
> the 'full retail version' and asks if I want to upgrade, directs me to site
> where lists full versions and they're price, is dvd decoder a time trial and
> I have to buy it to use it? I uninstalled windvd so I don't get in trouble
> for using it but now I need to buy retail version of xp home as well?
>
>

Hello

The OEM version of XP - Home or Pro - is not time restricted except
that you do have to activate it it in 30 days but this should not
cause you a problem assuming it is a legitimate copy.

If you don't activate it in 30 days Windows will not start but will
give you a prompt to register it after which it starts up.

Regards
Echy
Melbourne, Australia
 >> Stay informed about: OEM vs full retail 

On Fri, 14 Apr 2006 01:02:19 -0600, Cap 'n' Crunch wrote:

> is the OEM version of xp home a time limited version that only lasts a month
> or so and then stops working? I installed some hardware (webcam, printer)
> and it seemed like it only worked for a period of time then stopped
> altogether. friend said I have OEM version of xp and it only lets you become
> familiar with the OS then is disabled, and then have to buy a full retail
> version to get full functionality back. my compaq came with dvd decoder
> software and dvd's play fine in WMP but in intervideo windvd it says its not
> the 'full retail version' and asks if I want to upgrade, directs me to site
> where lists full versions and they're price, is dvd decoder a time trial and
> I have to buy it to use it? I uninstalled windvd so I don't get in trouble
> for using it but now I need to buy retail version of xp home as well?

Your friend is describing trial versions not OEM versions. Others have
already explained Windows XP to you so will address the other part of your
question...

The OEM version of Intervideo's WinDVD is a "light version." It is yours to
use "as is." I think it's rather rude of them to include a nag about the
full version but unless you want the full version, it's perfectly fine to
continue using the light OEM version already provided with your computer.

--
Sharon F
MS-MVP ~ Windows Shell/User
 >> Stay informed about: OEM vs full retail 

The OEM label attached to software more often than not signifies that it is
a 'lite' version.. you may not get all of the features that you would have
if the software was purchased as a retail product.. the software authors
will try to get you to buy the full version for obvious reasons.. it is more
money for them, hence the popups.. you are under no obligation to buy full
versions unless the software reports that it is time limited..

The above DOES NOT APPLY to OEM Windows.. OEM Windows has all that the full
retail product has.. the restriction is that it remains with the machine
upon which it was first installed, and support is given by the vendor of the
computer upon which OEM Windows is installed..

--
Mike Hall
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User



"Cap 'n' Crunch" <xpuser.DeleteThis@newsgroups.com> wrote in message
news:OYFvhF5XGHA.508@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl...
> is the OEM version of xp home a time limited version that only lasts a
> month or so and then stops working? I installed some hardware (webcam,
> printer) and it seemed like it only worked for a period of time then
> stopped altogether. friend said I have OEM version of xp and it only lets
> you become familiar with the OS then is disabled, and then have to buy a
> full retail version to get full functionality back. my compaq came with
> dvd decoder software and dvd's play fine in WMP but in intervideo windvd
> it says its not the 'full retail version' and asks if I want to upgrade,
> directs me to site where lists full versions and they're price, is dvd
> decoder a time trial and I have to buy it to use it? I uninstalled windvd
> so I don't get in trouble for using it but now I need to buy retail
> version of xp home as well?
>
 >> Stay informed about: OEM vs full retail 

thanks for all your responses it helped alot, also I noticed that I can
uninstall windvd from my system as long as I don't remove any shared
files/components (dvd decoder) and I still have dvd playing functionality in
WMP or any other player that supports playing dvd's, and yes, this windows
is authentic as it has the sticker on the machine and is validated on
windows update. just one more thing, if I want to upgrade to pro, do I need
the full retail version or can I use an upgrade version to upgrade my OEM
xp?


"Cap 'n' Crunch" <xpuser.TakeThisOut@newsgroups.com> wrote in message
news:OYFvhF5XGHA.508@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl...
> is the OEM version of xp home a time limited version that only lasts a
> month or so and then stops working? I installed some hardware (webcam,
> printer) and it seemed like it only worked for a period of time then
> stopped altogether. friend said I have OEM version of xp and it only lets
> you become familiar with the OS then is disabled, and then have to buy a
> full retail version to get full functionality back. my compaq came with
> dvd decoder software and dvd's play fine in WMP but in intervideo windvd
> it says its not the 'full retail version' and asks if I want to upgrade,
> directs me to site where lists full versions and they're price, is dvd
> decoder a time trial and I have to buy it to use it? I uninstalled windvd
> so I don't get in trouble for using it but now I need to buy retail
> version of xp home as well?
>
 >> Stay informed about: OEM vs full retail