which version?

[teknokid]

i decided to get vista. but which version would be best for the average user if u consider value. whats the disadvantage of OEM?
thanks.

[Taxation]

do you know what the definition of OEM??
learn it, then come back

[teknokid]

a quick google returns original equipment manufacturer. but i doubt thats what its all about.

[Nox]

its absolutely bang on

and get XP Pro :p

Nox

[Nox]

in short - oem = your vista license would be tied to the computer you bought it for.

Nox

[teknokid]

isnt that the idea anyway? doesnt rly matter anyways my pc will last quite a while

[deathhaggis]

AFAIK the main differences between OEM are that :-

1) You don't get any MS support calls for the OEM version

2) THe OEM version is 'locked' permanently to the first PC it's intalled on

Both OEM/Retail products link themselves to the hardware of the PC to stop you installing the software on multiple computers. The difference with the retail (if im reading the EULA correctly) is that you'll allowed to move it to another PC if your current PC dies on you whereas the OEM version MS probably wont let you move the software to another PC. This might also cause problems if you want to upgrade your PC motherboard,etc or if a component tied to the MS licensing model dies and you cant buy a similar component to replace it.

[teknokid]

:( so it wld skrew things up when i go quad core at the end of the year?

[deathhaggis]

:( so it wld skrew things up when i go quad core at the end of the year?

Possibly! I'm not sure how the hardware actication in Vista works. It's linked into specific components and it knows if you change them. The Mobo's definitely one. I think you might be able to change the CPU without any problem though but i'm not 100% on that. I guess noone will know for sure until the end of the month when it's released

[teknokid]

i think mobo should be the only 1, other things could change quite a lot.

[Taxation]

i think it is the mobo and harddrives
otherwise if you add new RAM, cpu or gpu, then you will need to buy a newer version, which people wont do.
they will ring microsofts helpline in india for an activation code like they do now :wink:

[teknokid]

hard drives? hm.. dont they tend to fail rather a lot? that would seem a bit silly. atleast now i can get a 2nd 8800gtx/4gb ram & quad core :D

[JDowdall]

and then slapped ALOT!

[Taxation]

or just get 4X 2GB sticks which will come out soon after vista, so why not get 8GB instead of 4 :D

[Nox]

:( so it wld skrew things up when i go quad core at the end of the year?

Is Vista only licensed to run on two logical cpu's? I know Intel had a rather stern word with Microsoft about this at some point as they were bringing out their quad, wording has probably changed again by now...

Nox

[JDowdall]

um well if you wanted the 4gb of ram then you would have to go with 64bit vista which would probably do quad core?

[teknokid]

coz thats OTT!

[Nox]

if you want to use your entire 4GB of ram yes, you need a 64bit OS, otherwise you will get 3.25 or something and a limit of 2gb per application in XP, unless you start messing with switches.

Nox

[teknokid]

why not? thats silly. ill have to get x64 then :p

[Taxation]

thats what im getting soon :wink:
X64 ultimate
well, i should be getting a copy monday
but running it on my old computer first, then once i get my stuff backed up then i will run it on my current pc, after a couple of upgrades that is :wink:

[deathhaggis]

thats what im getting soon :wink:
X64 ultimate
well, i should be getting a copy monday
but running it on my old computer first, then once i get my stuff backed up then i will run it on my current pc, after a couple of upgrades that is :wink:

Are you planning on getting the OEM or retail version. One thing I've noticed about the OEM version is that you have to choose either the 32-bit or 64-bit version. If you go for the retail version you appear to get the option of installing either.

I'm struggling to decide which to go for but given the excessive cost of buying the retail version I'll probably just buy the OEM version and risk having to buy it again if I upgrade or my PC breaks. Just need to decide whether to go for Ultimate or Home Premium?

[teknokid]

cool. ill get the same. will games still whiz along?

[teknokid]

btw i wnt home premium...

[Taxation]

im getting X64 ultimate OEM i think (my mate is getting it for me)
games wont wizz along at first, there will be some drawbacks, but once there are better drivers, better more developed games, better gfx cards etc etc etc, then vista will fly, just like XP does for most people.

thing ive seen tho, the more memory you have in a machine, the more vista uses, and vis versa, there should be a little tweak that can fix this problem, once vista has caught on that is 8)

[teknokid]

so do you think games will ever run as fast as they do on xp on vista.. or will i have to get4gb ram?

[Taxation]

games will run just as fast on vista, it will just take some time though.
And you WILL need more RAM, 2GB should be enough, but if your planning on getting 4GB then you would have to get the 64bit version because the 32bit version will only see and use 3.25GB or something like that.

Games will come out on vista that will make gfx cards fall to their knees, just like games do on XP

[teknokid]

well im going to save up for the retail home premium then for another 2gb ram... £400 later!

[Taxation]

get the OEM which will save you some money
then get some more RAM later on, and if it needs reinstalling then reinstall it then activate it like XP, simple as

[teknokid]

what? so ure saying u can use oem even if you upgrade or ure HDD go's bang?

[JDowdall]

i think he means u phone up india :)

[teknokid]

well thats no hardship if it saves you £100

[Taxation]

yup :D

[teknokid]

ok. so let me clarify before i buy... home premium would be ok for me? and if i go OEM and my pc fails all i need is a call to india? i think i'll have to save up £200 for another 2gb of matching ram and get some flash drives for ready boost :D

[Taxation]

basically

but you didnt hear it from me :wink:

[teknokid]

y not. is it secret?

[teknokid]

/what do u say to the call centre ppl?

[Taxation]

i say,
"i had a virus so i had to do a full format on my C drive, and had to re-install windows, now that ive installed it, it says that i have to activate it, but i tried online but says that it is still in use"

then they say
"is it installed on any other computer"

then i say
"no it isnt"

then they say
"okay, this is the code, please type it in straight away"
but you can just write it down and do it any time you want

and my OS is only installed on one comp, so i dont think im breaking any rules

[teknokid]

cool.. ill remember that.. :D seems fair