Question:
I’m in the process of ordering the parts needed to build a high-end gaming PC and a friend told me that I can save some money by buying an OEM version of Windows 7 Pro. Do you know of any reason why I shouldn’t?
Answer:
Actually, Yes. In fact, there are several reasons:
First of all, OEM Windows 7 discs sometimes come pre-loaded only with the drivers required to operate the hardware in the PC brand/model that it was intended to be sold with. There is a good chance that your OEM disc will NOT include the drivers required to make your third-party hardware operational.
Second, if you do manage to get Windows 7 installed from an OEM disc and all of the hardware devices functioning properly, if something goes wrong later and you have to re-install Windows there is a good chance that the activation process will fail the second time around. And if it does, Microsoft will NOT be very eager to help you get it re-activated over the phone or through any other means. How will they know that your OEM version of Windows was purchased on the gray market? By asking for the model number and serial number of your PC – which of course will not be in their database because you didn’t purchase one of their computers in the first place.
Why will Microsoft refuse to help with re-activating an OEM version of Windows purchased on the gray market? Because OEM software is sold to hardware manufacturers at a steep discount with the stipulation that it be pre-installed on a new computer system built and sold only by that company. When you buy an OEM copy on the gray market, you’re avoiding the retail sales channel and getting the disc at what Microsoft considers to be an unfair price advantage. What this means in a nutshell is that your cheap Windows 7 disc is now worthless since it cannot be re-activated.
Third, buying OEM software from a third party is considered unethical by the people and companies whose opinions matter the most (ie. Microsoft and software retailers). If you have a problem somewhere down the road, you’ll be on your own (and most likely out of luck).
About the author: Rick Rouse is the owner of RLROUSE.COM. He is also an A+ Certified computer technician with over 30 years of experience in the computer industry. Do you have a computer question that you’d like to have answered? Send it in and we’ll answer it right here (and via email as well).