Does anyone have any recommendations for Australian companies that specialise in selling software? I'm looking for a copy of Windows 2003 Server but I'm having problems finding places online that sell it in non-OEM flavours. Thanks!

I normally buy this from Harris Technology. There are other certified MS vendors out there:

http://www.microsoft.com/australia/buyit/retailer/default.aspx

But if you're after something more serious you might have to get them from Gold Certified or Certified partners but if you're just after non-OEM Windows 2k3 then Harris will sell it to you. I'm sure you can get them from someone else as well but I don't know it off the top of my head sorry.

HT is not the cheapest but I never had any problems with them when it comes time to return the faulty goods etc.

Forgive my ignorance, but what exactly is the difference between OEM and non-OEM software?

oem just gives you the cd (and is sold only with a new pc?)

Yeh, google tells me it's lack of packaging etc. and also warranty differences (I'm guessing this extends to licensing agreements with Microsoft etc.)

Back on topic, Umart's Win2K3 doesn't seem to be OEM, though I've come to never trust their product descriptions.

Scorptec (www.scorptec.com.au / http://www.scorptec.com.au/index.php?catid=28&subid=122 ) or City Software (www.iswh.com.au) will both be able to sell you Server in various flavours.

OEM software is tied to a single hardware configuration, so you can't legally uninstall it on one machine to transport to another, if you upgrade the OS on that machine you bought OEM for you lose the licence and can't use it elsewhere.

I tend to buy from Harris also

trog: we tend to use Harris Tech also.

Are you still allowed to buy OEM software with a new hard-drive? I remember that being a semi-dodgy way that most PC stores would sell you OEM software.

Otherwise as others have suggested Harris Tech ( www.ht.com.au ) will probably have it.

besides, real men steal software lol lol roffle!!!!11

Are you still allowed to buy OEM software with a new hard-drive? I remember that being a semi-dodgy way that most PC stores would sell you OEM software.

You could probably buy it with a 4 pin molex splitter cable.

Don't buy software, buy Hardware!

:P

City Software

They also give you a rebate of 3% ~ well, we get one anyways =)

Microsoft changed the rules about thier OEM software 6 or so months ago so you can now but it with a mouse (preferrably a MS one) or even a power cable.

So it's not dodgy anymore.

^ not true

Had a MS night the other night and they are fully pushing that OEM software needs to be purchased with a full system.

They are hitting anyone selling it incorrectly with huge lawsuits.

But i know they are changing the rollout structure with "VISTA"
meaning you can buy it in oem form without purchasing a new computer.

Thanks for the replies, looks like I'm boned

I don't see much boning here, about 6 people have recommended you ht and two other shops that do exactly what you want?

Or is being boned a good thing

None of them have the version of W2kS that I want to get prices for (Enterprise)

What Persay said. What the hell is the problem Trog? Ring Scorptec, they're good. And if they can't get it for you, I'm a reseller, I'm sure I could get it...

Are you sure? I know HT don't list them on the site but I'm pretty sure they'd sell Win2k3 Enterprise edition to you?. AFAIK, it's only the Datacenter version that you can't buy from retailers.

I'd give them a call - unless you've already done that...

PS Why do you need enterprise edition of Win2k3?

While on that, is this being used in an environment where you would be ineligible for the developer licenses?

Also, I think you'd be crazy to not buy a new HDD and buy it OEM. Sure, strictly speaking you need to run it with that HDD. Poor diddums, you have to put more HDD space in your server :D

HT site didn't put it under "network OS" for some stupid reason but if you do a search for Windows 2003 you'll find it:

http://www.ht.com.au/scripts/xworks.exe?PART:J0692#Tof

Edit: Also there are various version of Win2k3, if you're just going to use it to host Web stuff, you'll be able to get the Web Only edition which is cheaper. However, if you're doing to use it as a fileserver/domain controller/game server you might need a full edition.


last edited by Opec at 10:30:00 29/Sep/05

Yeh, HT definitely have it, but their price makes me cry. Googling / searching Amazon, its available internationally for a lot less (though some of the prices are so low they have to be suspect)

Interesting that they list it as having a 24 month warranty. I'm too used to seeing "This software is provided as-is and comes with absolutely no warranty."

Yeh, HT definitely have it, but their price makes me cry

Unfornately you won't be able to get it any cheaper (or that much cheaper) for Enterprise edition of Win2k3 - that is if they're limitimate copy. That's why I asked why do you think you'd need Enterprise edition of Win2k3? Most people won't need it that's why MS structured the price thier product that way. Usually Enterprise edition of anything MS is for large businesses that require extra features etc like > 4GB addressable memory (on 32 bit chip) + a whole host of other "enterprise" class features - which most people won't need.

You might be able to get away with standard edition which is significantly cheaper. Unless you specifically need enterprise edition....then I guess you're stuck.

That's why I asked why do you think you'd need Enterprise edition of Win2k3?

Because Microsoft are f***ers and included one feature that I want, 'Advanced Fast Start' in Windows Media Services. Its not in Standard, only Enterprise.

^^
:( Bad luck doode, that just means you'll have to fork out the loot :(

Yeh, its pretty nasty. Its one thing that at first glance seems like a tiny little feature. Its not really mentioned very well on the Win2k3 server product comparison page, but there's enough there so you realise that Enterprise has more Media Services features than Standard. So you go looking, and of course its a feature that, if you want to do any streaming media stuff, you'd be insane not to want to have.