Windows OEM

[Neider]

That is my question is how many times can I use an OEM and for which pc.

[Wingit]

oem version is only related to the post on which you install, once it is turned over.

[opaper]

That is my question is how many times can I use an OEM and for which pc.

Infinitely. But on only one computer. Vista uses certain information from you computer and assigns it to your Mac. If you lent it to your friend. Microsoft would likely consider your friend's installtion of Vista as a pirated version.

[Aikonik]

You can activate Vista as many times as you want... legally!

But - once you've activated it a few times, you'll have to phone the Microsoft Activation line to do so.

A retail licence covers you for your PC, plus one laptop which you own.

An OEM licence only allows you to have Vista installed onto the PC or laptop the licence belongs.

You should NEVER install Vista onto unlicenced computers. Apart from the fact that it's ILLEGAL, it could cause you problems... such as your PC one day deactivating itself cos you've activated another PC with the same key. Or the inability to activate your copy in the future because the same key has been used on too many different hardware devices.

In short, don't give people your licence key!

Hope this helps.