Windows 7 Ultimate RTM Build 7600.16385 x86 & x64 Russian OEM DVD Windows 7 Ultimate RTM Build 7600.16385 x64 Russian OEM DVD Plot : Version: GOLD RTM SHA1: 5156a8648e0f12c9f6d7db73d130f3a9eacce8b7 CRC32: 243f1ea7 MD5: 31c776dc4f3d3f12bcc4fb31d43b9d33 File Size: 2.93 GB Download: Code: Windows 7 Ultimate RTM Build 7600.16385 x64 Russian OEM DVD Windows 7 Ultimate RTM Build 7600.16385 x86 Russian OEM DVD Plot : Version: GOLD RTM SHA1: 193d83a88fe7fb3c71703df1156a32ada4fd7fd2 CRC32: 472c532b MD5: 31929c9308a8eb1b6c0452ec2a6b3016 File Size: 2.25 GB Download: Code: Windows 7 Ultimate RTM Build 7600.16385 x86 Russian OEM DVD
OEM produces DIFFERENT INSTALLATION from retail Proof: try slmgr -dlv on both editions, Retail shows "RETAIL channel", while OEM shows "SLP channel". Differences in ei.cfg cause difference in activation mechanism
All you've proved so far is that the word "OEM" or "Retail" from under the [Channel] heading in the ei.cfg file is looked at (and probably copied to the registry) during installation. What's your proof that the activation mechanism behaves differently. What is definitely known at this time is that the *ONLY* difference between a Retail and OEM ISO image (installation DVD) is the word (Retail vs OEM) under the [Channel] heading in the ei.cfg file. IOW, it's trivial to make an OEM ISO image from a Retail version and vice versa
OEM has different activation mechanism and different keys from RETAIL. Any person can verify that there is indeed a difference by using WINDIFF on the windows installation, NOT the CD installation files. If you do this you will see that there are many differences in installed files, simple due to change in "channel" from "Retail" to "OEM". This is NOT just a registry difference. If you have ever compiled a code you would know that even small changes in compiler setting can cause major changes. Same principle applies here: Installation process reads ei.cfg, and depending on the setting, it can result in completely different activation mechanisms. If there is no ei.cfg, then RETAIL activation is installed by default.
Windows 7 Ultimate RTM Build 7600.16385 x86 English OEM DVD Windows 7 Ultimate RTM Build 7600.16385 x86 English OEM DVD MICROSOFT.WINDOWS.7.ULTIMATE.7600.16385.RTM.X86.OEM.ENGLISH.DVD FILE: 7600.16385.090713-1255_x86fre_client_en-us_OEM_Ultimate-GRMCULFREO_EN_DVD.iso SIZE: 2,501,894,144 bytes SHA1: 9018D76CD7EB1098257F8474D9D7D40AF948E143 MD5: 28ECC57D83286BC15E7CF7A80CB940F3 CRC: FDFFFF5A OEM has a different key base than retail, OEM uses OEM keys and can use the SLP activation, Retail uses Retail keys File Size: 2.33 GB Download: Code: Windows 7 Ultimate RTM Build 7600.16385 x86 English OEM DVD
I think there's a flaw in your testing somewhere. I just did a fresh install of Windows 7 Ultimate OEM (I had originally installed Windows 7 Ultimate Retail). [Both are the Microsoft blessed RTM releases.] Attached is the slmgr.vbs -dlv display. It says RETAIL channel just like the install from the Retail DVD did. If yours says SLP channel, I would suggest reinstalling and checking it again before you play with any keys, cracks, activators, etc.
Better yet, wait for a valid OEM Certificate and Key. Activators, Patches, Cracks, etc. are just too messy, unstable, and short-lived.
Windows 7 Ultimate RTM Build 7600.16385 x64 English OEM DVD Windows 7 Ultimate RTM Build 7600.16385 x64 English OEM DVD MICROSOFT.WINDOWS.7.ULTIMATE.7600.16385.RTM.X64.OEM.ENGLISH.DVD FILE: 7600.16385.090713-1255_x64fre_client_en-us_OEM_Ultimate-GRMCULXFREO_EN_DVD.iso SIZE: 3,224,686,592 bytes SHA1: 82C8C36423A1511516E54DC7E54B96603AA88F01 MD5: DAD9F7A0B4D5D928A6A67BA6CD896350 CRC: 2211FE19 OEM has a different key base than retail, OEM uses OEM keys and can use the SLP activation, Retail uses Retail keys File Size: 3 GB Download: Code: Windows 7 Ultimate RTM Build 7600.16385 x64 English OEM DVD
BOTH versions, retail and OEM (system builder) can be turned into OEM_SLP license! No need to use OEM version....
So whats being suggested then is that the only differance between the retail and OEM dvd versions is the word "retail" or "OEM" in the ei.cfg file and that either retail or oem dvd version can been used to install win7 with either a retail or oem key ? and that if you have already downloaded the retail dvd then there is no need to d/l the oem dvd as an oem key and cert can be used with the retail dvd ?