[BlueMak]

Are the new DX10 games going to support both flavors of the OS or just one of them?
What about the rest of the programs?
I am not talking about XP or older games, but DX10/Vista games. I was thinking (when I do get Vista) to install the 64bit version, but only if there won't be problems with future games.
Info anyone?

[~sidewinder~]

sorry, i have no idea about your inquiry but does the retail version of vista come with both the 32 and 64 bit?

[NeoKrieger]

as far as I know, there and 64 and 32-bit flavors for each versions

[ViRuS2k]

You can buy OEM versions or x32 and x64 single installs.

you can buy RTL versions wich come with x32 and x64 on the same dvd and all you do is pick during install what version you want be it x86 or x64 and use the same key to install what ever one you want..

OEM versions are just cheaper versions without box art and bits and bobs
and also to make them cheaper you can only buy x32 or x64 you cant have both unlike the retail versions.

[BlueMak]

So I guess games will continue to be made as before, meaning mainly for 32bit and some rare will support 64bit, thus for a gamer to install the 64 would be a mistake, right?

[craig5320]

Actually reports are coming through the retail DVD only contains the 32bit edition, and a "leaflet" detailing how to obtain the 64bit version if you require it. Not sure how legitmate the reports are tho.

I picked up the 32bit OEM, no need for 64bit, and after my bout with XP 64 i don't think i'll bother with it for a very long time.

[dipstick]

Apps and games should not have any problems running on the 64 bit OS. Drivers are the only real issue as they have to be 64 bit.

[BlueMak]

Thanks for the info craig.
After reading somewhere else about the OEM license, (you can actualy install Vista OEM on even a whole different PC and still work), and since no games will be made for 64bit only, it looks like I will get an OEM 32bit version as well! (tryng to decide if the premium is worth the extra £)


EDIT: So, dipstick, you mean that future Vista games will all be set to work under 64bit version of Vista along for the 32bit?

[Mr cairo]

Originally Posted by BlueMak

Thanks for the info craig.
(you can actualy install Vista OEM on even a whole different PC and still work),

actually it appears that thats a No heres an email my m8 recieved from MS and Komplett on that query


Dear Sir,

Thank you for your enquiry.

The key can be used Multiple times, but only on one system.
If you change the motherboard, you will need to buy a new copy.

Best regards
Komplett

Dear Sir/Madam,

Thank you for your email about resinstalling Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) copy of Windows Vista™.

In response to your query, I would like to inform you that OEM licensed software can be installed on the same computer any number of times provided you have an installation disk. However, you will not be able to install it on the same computer in the instance that you upgrade your motherboard or replace your entire computer.

I suggest that you contact your computer manufacturer for back up discs and other resources in case of a break down since they are your primary source of support.

I hope this information has answered your query, but if you have any more questions please give us a call on 0870 60 10 100. Our lines are open from 8.00am to 6.00pm, Monday to Friday. Telephone traffic is at its lowest early in the morning. Of course if you prefer please send me an email.

Many thanks for contacting us.

Kind Regards,
MAMATHA DALEER
Customer Service Professional
Microsoft Customer Services

[ViRuS2k]

and this is why i dont buy OSes lol

I mean you buy it then you have to use the same system with it or you will have to buy a new licience.

trully sucks....
there should be a lawsuite becuse of that, i mean seriously why the hell are people buying this os, becuse the minute you activate it on your system you will have to use it on that system for its entire lifetime lol

[BlueMak]

Originally Posted by cairo

actually it appears that thats a No heres an email my m8 recieved from MS and Komplett on that query


Dear Sir,

Thank you for your enquiry.

The key can be used Multiple times, but only on one system.
If you change the motherboard, you will need to buy a new copy.

Best regards
Komplett

Dear Sir/Madam,

Thank you for your email about resinstalling Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) copy of Windows Vista™.

In response to your query, I would like to inform you that OEM licensed software can be installed on the same computer any number of times provided you have an installation disk. However, you will not be able to install it on the same computer in the instance that you upgrade your motherboard or replace your entire computer.

I suggest that you contact your computer manufacturer for back up discs and other resources in case of a break down since they are your primary source of support.

I hope this information has answered your query, but if you have any more questions please give us a call on 0870 60 10 100. Our lines are open from 8.00am to 6.00pm, Monday to Friday. Telephone traffic is at its lowest early in the morning. Of course if you prefer please send me an email.

Many thanks for contacting us.

Kind Regards,
MAMATHA DALEER
Customer Service Professional
Microsoft Customer Services

What about this thread? http://forums.pcper.com/showthread.php?t=434539

[Zelig]

I could be wrong, but I think that Vista OEM will be similar to the XP OEM situation:

The actual software will be identical in the OEM and retail packages (assuming you don't order the OEM from a PC manufacturer), but the license will not allow installation on more than one computer.

You guys all realize this would be the same as XP, right? The XP OEM license prohibits installation on more than one computer, ever.

[craig5320]

Yea I'm with MIG on this one... I have the OEM version, and I'm looking to upgrade to Core2Duo in the next month or so, So I'll certainly let you know

[jp306]

Originally Posted by ViRuS2k

and this is why i dont buy OSes lol

I mean you buy it then you have to use the same system with it or you will have to buy a new licience.

trully sucks....
there should be a lawsuite becuse of that, i mean seriously why the hell are people buying this os, becuse the minute you activate it on your system you will have to use it on that system for its entire lifetime lol

The thing here is that you can't buy this OS or any windows OS, you only license the right to use it on one machine. Unless you buy a license giving you the right to use it on more than 1 PC. You agree to this when you install it so you can't sue.

[ViRuS2k]

Originally Posted by jp306

The thing here is that you can't buy this OS or any windows OS, you only license the right to use it on one machine. Unless you buy a license giving you the right to use it on more than 1 PC. You agree to this when you install it so you can't sue.

Guess i will have to buy the retail then, wonder how meny times you can aquire a new licience via phone or net if you change a hardware component

[BlueMak]

More than anyone would?

[BlueMak]

Originally Posted by craig5320

Yea I'm with MIG on this one... I have the OEM version, and I'm looking to upgrade to Core2Duo in the next month or so, So I'll certainly let you know

Great! Shall I pm you in say 5-6 days? Just to remind you.

[EfrainMan]

Originally Posted by craig5320

Actually reports are coming through the retail DVD only contains the 32bit edition, and a "leaflet" detailing how to obtain the 64bit version if you require it. Not sure how legitmate the reports are tho.

This is true. I'm holding my Vista Home Preimum Upgrade disk right now and it says 32-bit only and has the leaflet for getting the 64-bit DVD...for an extra $10. So the 64-bit Vista's gonna cost you ten bucks more...

[DudeBoyz]

It looks like Microsoft is finally pulling the plug and is going to strictly enforce compliance.

Meaning, all OEM copies are tied to the Motherboard. Once activated, it will only activate on successive installs if you still have that specific motherboard.

You can upgrade the RAM, the CPU, the VIDEO, etc. and still install and activate no problem.

But if you change motherboards, you lose the right to use that OEM copy of Vista for good.

I'm not certain of this, of course, but it sounds like what it is going to be like, at least with Vista, from what I have been reading online.

Maybe we were able to get away with it in the past, but they don't seem to want to let folks get away with it any more, at least not with Vista OEM.

[Zelig]

Originally Posted by DudeBoyz

It looks like Microsoft is finally pulling the plug and is going to strictly enforce compliance.

Meaning, all OEM copies are tied to the Motherboard. Once activated, it will only activate on successive installs if you still have that specific motherboard.

You can upgrade the RAM, the CPU, the VIDEO, etc. and still install and activate no problem.

But if you change motherboards, you lose the right to use that OEM copy of Vista for good.

I'm not certain of this, of course, but it sounds like what it is going to be like, at least with Vista, from what I have been reading online.

Maybe we were able to get away with it in the past, but they don't seem to want to let folks get away with it any more, at least not with Vista OEM.

There hasn't been any change from the XP OEM license regarding installations to multiple computers.

[DudeBoyz]

Originally Posted by Zelig

There hasn't been any change from the XP OEM license regarding installations to multiple computers.

This is the first time I have heard Microsoft specifically say what component it is tied to in all cases. It's now the Motherboard.

It's also the first time I have heard them say they will fully enforce compliance - that if you change the motherboard, you lose the right to use that license with that new motherboard and will have to purchase a new one. Your Vista will be put in "Reduced Functionality Mode" or whatever, and that is that.

Am I wrong about this?

[Zelig]

Originally Posted by DudeBoyz

This is the first time I have heard Microsoft specifically say what component it is tied to in all cases. It's now the Motherboard.

It's also the first time I have heard them say they will fully enforce compliance - that if you change the motherboard, you lose the right to use that license with that new motherboard and will have to purchase a new one. Your Vista will be put in "Reduced Functionality Mode" or whatever, and that is that.

Am I wrong about this?

See here, here or here.

From the last MS doc:

Can I transfer my operating system license from an old PC to a new one?

ANSWER. Not unless it was purchased as a Full-Packaged Product from a retail store (i.e., Windows in a box). Current OEM licenses for all Microsoft operating system products are not transferable from one machine to another. The End User License Agreement (EULA) governs the terms for transfer of licenses. Some EULAs for copies of certain older OEM operating system products (i.e., MS-DOS®, Windows® 3.1, and Windows for Workgroups 3.1) distributed in 1995 or earlier may permit transfer of the OEM operating system software license under limited circumstances. (See Software Product Transfer section of your End User License Agreement.)

[DudeBoyz]

Originally Posted by Zelig

See here,

The licensing change was dated as follows:

XP OEM Clarification
Updated 05/06/2006

OEM Microsoft Windows (including XP Pro and XP Home) Licensing Changes You Need To Know About!

Link to Blog for the Microsoft Small Business Channel Community explaining the OEM licensing changes. No password is needed to access this blog.

When I got the XP bundled with my Alienware, I don't remember that passage at all.

So if they changed the licensing for new OEM versions after that date, I would not have a problem with it.

Thanks for the info. I guess the changes were recently made in preparation for the Vista release, which makes sense.

Another bummer I read was that Microsoft is limiting "Downgrading" rights to Windows XP Pro only. I believe it used to be that if you got Windows 2000 Pro or Windows ME or Windows XP Home that you could use an earlier version of Windows instead, if you preferred to. I guess when you had NT 4.0 or 98 SE, that right was more important for compatibility mode, especially in a corporate environment. But with XP being so well established, it's not as important as it used to be.

Oh well. They are entitled to change the license, that is fine, but I don't believe that they can make that retroactive.

So those of us who got the software under the original license terms are not bound by those new restrictions that they put in a mid 2006, I believe.

[Zelig]

That's just the last edited date for that article, it isn't an official MS doc. If you read down some, you can see the motherboard situation was the same at least back in 2004, and AFAIK, the quote in my post is also accurate.

[DudeBoyz]

Originally Posted by Zelig

That's just the last edited date for that article, it isn't an official MS doc. If you read down some, you can see the motherboard situation was the same at least back in 2004, and AFAIK, the quote in my post is also accurate.

The other information was not dated on the Microsoft side.

But Microsoft changing the licensing terms in mid 2006 actually makes sense to me, from a timing perspective. It would explain why so many of us were not aware of that specific item when XP came out in 2001.

Regardless, I'm now fully aware of the OEM terms and am glad for it.

You can buy 2 copies of the $199 OEM Ultimate for what it costs for 1 Retail Ultmate ($399) and have licenses for 2 motherboards instead of just one.

So, if you replace your old motherboard with a new one, you can build a system from the old MB and legally give them the OEM license that it was tied to in the first place.

Everybody wins.

[H3X4D3C1M4L]

Driver support is abysmal enough on 32 bit... I can only imagine that with the current trend of ignoring 64 bit procs that this would be much worse

[Datagg]

Go 32 bit..... i have had no issues with it at all... While a few of my friends chose 64 it and have having major issues.... I asked the other day, 32 or 64 bit, and almost everyone here said 32...hence that what i did... thanks yall...