Re: Startup boot disc for ME -full version
I understand the difference between retail and OEM, the Windows 98 SE cd
that I have here is an OEM cd. My point is that this cd appears to have
been made or "pressed" by Microsoft, it is not specific to any
particular make of pc, it's a plain generic OEM cd and it is bootable.
I am just wondering why Microsoft would make plain OEM cd's bootable and
not the retail versions, I find that odd.
About the cost of software in the UK, yes it is expensive compared to
most other countries. We have had discussions about this in the XP
groups and no one could offer a good reason for the large price
differences. We know that it isn't taxes, tariffs or duty because
software has a zero rated tariff. The prices before VAT are way out of
line with what consumers are paying in other countries, someone is
pocketing excess profits somewhere.
John
Mike M wrote:
> John,
>
> Yes, it's still a real CD and carries the name Microsoft but it's an OEM
> CD. Those sold by Microsoft to the public make are better called retail
> media and make no mention of OEM nor do they carry restrictive text such
> as that saying only for sale with a new PC or similar. This doesn't
> mean an OEM CD isn't genuine and will still have a holograph or whatever
> on its surface however the EULA is somewhat more restrictive than that
> on a retail CD. Some OEM CDs (although I think not for 9x systems) are
> also bios locked to a specific OEM bios version.
>
> Here in the UK I can purchase from a first class reputable e-tailer
> (dabs) both retail and OEM DVDs for Vista Premium with the OEM copy
> costing UKP62.35 including tax and the retail Microsoft copy costing 3x
> more UKP182.27 (yes we pay a real premium over here for much of our
> software). What's the difference? Firstly the OEM copy comes with no
> support as that is provided by the system builder and if you buy and
> build your own PCs that means you. Secondly and more important is that
> the OEM copy is permanently "bound" to the hardware on which it was
> first installed whereas the Microsoft retail copy can legally be moved
> from PC to PC provided that you warrant to Microsoft that the operating
> system has been removed or the machine no longer exists on which the OS
> was previously installed. The same was true of OEM Win 9x systems but
> in those days Microsoft "trusted" its customers and hadn't yet resorted
> to product activation and "Windows Genuine Advantage" to try and protect
> its products.
>
> Trivial I know but for Win Me, but not any other Win 9x system, when Win
> Me is installed from OEM media the Win Me setup/cab files are by default
> placed in the folder C:\Windows\Options\Cabs whereas if the system is
> installed from retail media the setup and cab files are placed in the
> folder C:\Windows\Options\Install although it is not unknown for some
> OEMs to place them elsewhere on the system - even in a different partition.
>
> See for example KB305666 which contains the text "NOTE: Use
> C:\Windows\Options\Install if you installed a Windows Me retail product,
> or C:\Windows\Options\Cabs if your computer manufacturer installed
> Windows Me."