I know that Newegg sells OEM software for really cheap, but it must be purchased along with a piece of hardware to get the good deal. This could be the case at that site as well. But yea, it's legit...I don't know what you get when you buy an OS at the store, maybe a users manual or something, but you wouldn't get that with the OEM version.

 

Its NOT legit, those sellers from eastern Europe are flogging off software thats already been installed and is in use as far as I am aware.

 

McTimson, Their site says you get no manual or box, just a CD with the activation code.

Does Kiwiguy or anyone else know where one could get legit OEM software? I don't mind buying some hardware with it, I need some stuff anyway.

This is the site anyway...
http://www.oem-software.us

I don't know what to do then

(Checking out newegg...)

 

Well, anyway, I poked around on google some more and yeah, those Russian sites are bad news. Thanks!

 

OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) software is genuinely distributed by software dealers who are licensed by the software house who own the copyright: e.g. Microsoft.

There is one caveat. OEM product is intended to be sold "Bundled" into a new PC or laptop, or server.

One of my companies, buy genuine MS (and other) software from a genuine distributor, only to be used on new PCs, which are purpose built for specific user requirements.

There are NO user manuals, however, genuine product does come with installation instructions and etc.

It is more expensive than the product offered by emails and on certain websites, but less expensive than the full retail price.

Genuine licensed distributors make sigficant checks into your company and you have to then become an established user before they will supply you at trade OEM prices.

Hope this helps.

Paq

 

It is very helpful, thank you, all of you.

I didn't receive this site through spam, otherwise I definitely would have ignored it.
I found it by accident while looking up sites that compared XP to 2000. Before now I had no idea you could buy OEM software, thats why I checked on this forum about 'what gives'.

Your answer was most helpful, Paq.

Thanks again to all.

 

yeah, i read their FAQ, and it looks like they are purposely trying to avoid guaranteeing that the software will work, but only that there will be the MATERIALS to install. no guarantees that anything will work.

 

Yeah, 'cause I found some other OEM software websites while looking further on Google and most of the pages I found had an EXACT version of the FAQ section (and other information). ......... Like they're all owned by the same mob, and they're just trying to spread themselves around as much as possible.

 

Hey all,

Just a quick Question:
Are sites that sell OEM Software for real? Is it even legal?

I want to buy Windows 2000 Pro and see it's available from a site for only $80!! .... But is it completely legit? They swear that it is on their site, but I'd like to be sure, I just find it strange that they're allowed to do it.

By the way, if the answer is that it's legal, etc... Will it definitely work since it's coming from Europe and i'm in Australia? (I don't see why not, but better safe than sorry!)

Thanks! :up:

If you go to www.pricegrabber.com and put in the software you will get vendors of OEM I get a lot of things that way. I have also seen software bundled with say one floppy disk.
You will not I think find MS software legit in OEM, though if you have the credentials you may find educational (student) software at a reduced price. My son in college got MS office that way

 

I hope it's legal; I've bought copies of XP Pro & XP Home this way! The shop I go to requires a hardware purchase, as McTimson stated (hard drive, mobo, video card, etc.), to get the OEM price. I know of a store in Wichita that only required a mouse or a case fan purchase to get it, but I'd guess that's not the norm.

Check with local shops to see if they offer MS OEM operating systems, and what their requirements are. I don't know if Australia has different "rules" for resellers, but it's worth inquiring about.

 

OEM software from a legit MS reseller is perfectly legal.

There is a requirement that it be sold as part of a "hardware purchase" and that is handles differently by each reseller.

Some consider its valid with an IDE cable or a mouse, others require more significant hardware but I suspect all are OK.

There is a trade-off for the (slightly) cheaper OEM price, you cannot resell it without also selling the hardware which it was purchased with.

However I always buy OEM software when I can, as the savings are good.

Again, the OEM from those cheap European sellers is not legit. If something looks too good to be true, its not legit basically.