I intend installing Windows 7 Home Premium 32 bit on a new MacBook Pro and am trying to find the cheapest place to buy the full rather than OEM version. The eBay ad below is the cheapest price I have seen and claims to be for the full version, but the DVD illustration shows that it is licensed for use with the Registered Refurbisher Program. Does that mean that it is an OEM version?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Microsoft-windows-7-home-premium-32-bit-full-version-/261057140927?pt=UK_Computing_Software_Software_SR&hash=item3cc837d8bf#ht_924wt_689

Any advice on where to buy would be much appreciated.

if you have (or know someone who does have) an email address ending in .ac.uk then try this https://student.theultimatesteal.co.uk/

I would guess that, as it says, the Registered Refurbisher Program is solely for use by businesses who would take old PCs, recycle them, and send them out bang up to date. It sounds to me like a cheap way for people like local computer shops to get hold of Win7 in order to phase out XP. So yes, it would be legit enough to pass update checks and licensing checks, but technically a grey area as you don't have such a business, so if you're going to go down that route you might as well go down the OEM route. OEM versions are functionally equivalent to full versions, they simply come with a different license agreement.

Ditto the student stuff, it's cheapish and it'll pass the licensing checks, but you're still technically non-compliant if you're not a student yourself. At which point you might as well go the whole non-compliant hog and buy OEM as it could well be cheaper, or other sources.

£68 on ebuyer

Not sure what thats in bold....

again the student route

http://www.software4students.co.uk/t/brands/windows-7

£43.50

A licensed student version of Windows 7 Pro is on another PC so that option is out unfortunately. But a student version of Microsoft Office Professional Plus 2010 can be installed on a second PC, ie the MacBook Pro, so that is good news.

Looking at the COA label on the eBay seller's Windows disc, it says OEM. I hadn't considered that option...

Been running an OEM version since Windows 7 was first released. No problems.

Phil

A licensed student version of Windows 7 Pro is on another PC so that option is out unfortunately.

Do you mean that you have already registered a student? I had no issues using my wifes name to register both my daughters at the time I was buying software a few years ago with S4S as well? dont you have a long lost nephew!!!!

I have used S4S a number of times for my grandchildren but had problems last time convincing Microsoft that the purchase was genuine and complied fully with the rules - which it did.

Of course I am not condoning my actions... it was a rash and panicked move before my daughters left education (Uni and college), honest I don't have any legit tax scams....yet!

Problem is that ,can you trust e bay stuff to be any mre legit than stuff downloaded on Torrent.

I would guess that, as it says, the Registered Refurbisher Program is solely for use by businesses who would take old PCs, recycle them, and send them out bang up to date. It sounds to me like a cheap way for people like local computer shops to get hold of Win7 in order to phase out XP. So yes, it would be legit enough to pass update checks and licensing checks, but technically a grey area as you don't have such a business, so if you're going to go down that route you might as well go down the OEM route. OEM versions are functionally equivalent to full versions, they simply come with a different license agreement.

Ditto the student stuff, it's cheapish and it'll pass the licensing checks, but you're still technically non-compliant if you're not a student yourself. At which point you might as well go the whole non-compliant hog and buy OEM as it could well be cheaper, or other sources.

It will be fine. If you were to buy said refurbished PC from said refurbisher you would have exactly the same license and disc.

I would go for it.

£68 on ebuyer

That's where I got mine. Technically you need to buy a bit of hardware to go with it since OEM should go on a new build. I'm not sure how tightly that is actually enforced. I've always had other things ordered with OEM licenses even if it was just a little thing like a DVDRW drive.

the Registered Refurbisher Program allows PC refurbishers to install an Ms OS in place of the existing Ms OS. If you look at the COA sticker in the ebay listing you will see that it does not contain the normal XXXX-XXXX-XXXX-XXXXX.... key.

The key is generated through a web portal on the MS refurbishers site by the refurbishing business.

The process is to enter the YYY-YYYYYY number at he bottom of the COA sticker, enter the old XXXX-

XXXX-XXXX-XXXX... from the old COA that you are replacing, and then you are issued with a new XXXX-XXXX-XXXX-XXXX... number to instal the new OS. This is given on an A4 print out. The process invalidates the old OS from ever being re-used.

The licensing terms does not allow the license to be sold alone.

The cheapest place to buy is still China, it only costs £1.

Of course you are limited to Chinese language selection and time zone only.