probably a dumb question about OEM vs Retail

Discussion in 'Windows Server' started by ziptie321, Sep 1, 2012.

  1. ziptie321

    ziptie321 MDL Novice

    Sep 1, 2012
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    I want to apologize in advance for probably asking a question that's been asked 1000 times, I have read through the stickies and I have been searching for a while, and I think I'm just in acronym overload - it isn't making sense.

    I have built a server for a client from scratch, I am purchasing 2008R2 OEM from newegg, and I have already installed 2008R2 from a disk I already have, but it is a retail disk. I thought it was OEM.

    When I get the OEM disk from newegg, can I easily activate my installation as I have already begun configuring it?

    I believe the answer is yes, but when I was reading through the other threads, it just simply got confusing.

    Pretend you're dealing with someone who knows what they're doing just not in this area... lol.
     
  2. ZaForD

    ZaForD MDL Expert

    Jan 26, 2008
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    I didn't know there was a Retail version of Server 2008R2 ???

    I know theres trial, volume and OEM versions, and that the disks are almost the same.
    Its the key you use that determins which edition you end up with.
    So I'd say that when your OEM disk arrives if you use the key from that to activate you should be OK.
     
  3. ziptie321

    ziptie321 MDL Novice

    Sep 1, 2012
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    Yeah, man, slmgr -dli indicates "RETAIL CHANNEL" not OEM.
     
  4. ZaForD

    ZaForD MDL Expert

    Jan 26, 2008
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    lol, theres another thing i just learned. :biggrin:

    I still think you should be OK with the OEM key, I can't see the Retail disk being that different from the others.
     
  5. ziptie321

    ziptie321 MDL Novice

    Sep 1, 2012
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    Yeah, I think it will, but for me it'd really be cool if someone could point to a clear reference or something saying that they know for sure it will work and give me a warm fuzzy. I've got the rearm periods yet to figure it out.
     
  6. sebus

    sebus MDL Guru

    Jul 23, 2008
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    You have retail version, you have retail key, activate online, you are done. Nothing to it!

    sebus
     
  7. Tito

    Tito Super Mod / Adviser
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    Nov 30, 2009
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    May be Retail eval??

    :g:
     
  8. ziptie321

    ziptie321 MDL Novice

    Sep 1, 2012
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    I got parts in for a server. OS did not arrive yet. Assembled server, used disk from previous server, installed 2008R2. "ASSumed" it was OEM, disk was retail (per slmgr -dli). Thus my quandry. Will I be able to activate this particular install with an OEM copy of 2008R2 purchased from Newegg?
     
  9. Tito

    Tito Super Mod / Adviser
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    I think its better to mod the bios & use oem:slp activation ~ no purchase required ;)
     
  10. ziptie321

    ziptie321 MDL Novice

    Sep 1, 2012
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    SSSSsssssure..... Yeah, I COULD do that, I'm also aware of "removeWAT" as well. But this is something more .... official ... that I'm doing, you know, building a computer for one of my clients. No need for that, they will pay for it.

    I guess another way to phrase the question is which way would be easier to activate, purchasing the retail copy or purchasing the OEM copy? Either way I will be purchasing a copy of it, and either way I will be paid for it, but I want to spend the least amount of money between the two options.
     
  11. Tito

    Tito Super Mod / Adviser
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    Nov 30, 2009
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    RemovwWAT is a crap solution!!!

    Ok, then buy a retail license or buy an oem system-builder edition, which is less costly (not sure if that exists for Server edition).
     
  12. ziptie321

    ziptie321 MDL Novice

    Sep 1, 2012
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    Yeah, I probably will but the thing that I simply don't know about is whether the OEM system builder key will activate this copy since it said it was "retail stream".
     
  13. Tito

    Tito Super Mod / Adviser
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    Nov 30, 2009
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    Any key will activate any copy of Server 2008 R2 (obviously edition matters).
     
  14. ziptie321

    ziptie321 MDL Novice

    Sep 1, 2012
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    So the difference occurs if I get OEM it will be locked to the hardware, the Retail not so much?
     
  15. 100

    100 MDL Expert

    May 17, 2011
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    There is no difference in activation between OEM (system builder) and retail. The difference is in licensing (OEM licenses usually must not be sold to end users separately, but only along with a PC), and in support. MS provides customer support for retail products (therefore it is more expensive), for OEM versions the OEM has to provide support.
     
  16. Tito

    Tito Super Mod / Adviser
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    Nov 30, 2009
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    Only oem:slp & may be oem:coa depends on slic table i.e a specific hardware manufacturer ~ nothing else.
     
  17. ziptie321

    ziptie321 MDL Novice

    Sep 1, 2012
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    Ok so to summarize -

    if I am walking down the street and find a 2008R2 disk along the sidewalk and say "gee, I really like this OS I am going to build me a system" and I do. Then I buy a OEM license, since I am a system builder, and I can activate the thing regardless if the physical disk I used was retail OR oem, unless I'm talking something tied to a specific OEM like dell or HP or something.

    Right?
     
  18. sebus

    sebus MDL Guru

    Jul 23, 2008
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    Yes, do not make a story out of single sentence! :mad:

    Stop wasting time, go have a beer

    sebus
     
  19. ziptie321

    ziptie321 MDL Novice

    Sep 1, 2012
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    sorry man. I know I came across being quite thick on this.

    Thank you all very much!