ebuyer question

[14k]

What is the difference between the two of these!? One is £1 cheaper!

http://www.ebuyer.com/customer/products...cm9kdWN0X292ZXJ2aWV3&product_uid=66490
http://www.ebuyer.com/customer/products...cm9kdWN0X292ZXJ2aWV3&product_uid=97544

 

[Snoogums Boogums]

If only there was an OS forum :roll:

 

[PurdueRy]

Same thing

 

[Maximilian]

The one that is more expensive says "Please Use QF 97544 Once stock runs out" Which could refer to the other listing, also aty the bottom it says "Microsoft OEM Operating system software MUST be purchased with a non-peripheral hardware component or fully assembled computer system. Non-peripheral hardware consists of a motherboard, graphics card, memory module, hard disk, keyboard or mouse. If no hardware is to accompany the sale - please use QF 97544" It dosent say that on the cheaper O/S. Apart from that i think theyre the same product, get the cheaper one

 

[14k]

Ok, I'm now wondering whether my problem (http://forums.anandtech.com/messageview...catid=33&threadid=1845898&STARTPAGE=1)

...is related to these two versions. If anyone can help me out I woulf really appreciate it!

 

[erikistired]

Ok, I have made a minor breakthrough? There is a piece of paper in the box which says "Don't use volume license media to install the initial operating system license on your new PC" Does this mean there is some sort of other product key I need to enter at the installation stage - then the product key on the actual label is used elsewhere to validate?

sounds like maybe they sold you a VLK copy? which is probably why you are having problems.

Why do Microsoft make it so difficult!?

they don't. they expect you to purchase a retail copy and it will install rather easily. when you buy OEM or buy from a shady dealer (which is what this sounds like if you did in fact get a VLK version) you have to understand there are certain conditions. the OEM copy will freak if you change the motherboard, because the cd key is tied to that piece of hardware. it's cheaper because it is meant for pc resellers, not end users. the reseller makes a few extra bucks off his pc, but the copy is only supposed to be used on that pc.

anyway, contact ebuyer and ask them what to do since they sold it to you.

 

[14k]

Originally posted by: fisher

Ok, I have made a minor breakthrough? There is a piece of paper in the box which says "Don't use volume license media to install the initial operating system license on your new PC" Does this mean there is some sort of other product key I need to enter at the installation stage - then the product key on the actual label is used elsewhere to validate?

sounds like maybe they sold you a VLK copy? which is probably why you are having problems.

Why do Microsoft make it so difficult!?

they don't. they expect you to purchase a retail copy and it will install rather easily. when you buy OEM or buy from a shady dealer (which is what this sounds like if you did in fact get a VLK version) you have to understand there are certain conditions. the OEM copy will freak if you change the motherboard, because the cd key is tied to that piece of hardware. it's cheaper because it is meant for pc resellers, not end users. the reseller makes a few extra bucks off his pc, but the copy is only supposed to be used on that pc.

anyway, contact ebuyer and ask them what to do since they sold it to you.

VLK? Volume License K?

I did contact ebuyer. They didn't seem to want anything to do with it. Something along the lines of "contact microsoft" or "we are not the manufacturer, we just sell the product", "you'll have to return it to us then"

I was certain most of the people here built their own PCs and also bought OEM versions of windows to go with it? Has noone experienced this before? Are there actually 2 OEM versions of Windows XP Pro? and I've been tricked into purchasing the version that only big pc manufacturers are supposoed to have?

 

[RebateMonger]

The UK's Ebuyer.com has a Resellerratings.com lifetime rating of 2 out of a possible 10. Not a good sign. I'd run as fast as I can.

 

[14k]

The box looks completely untampered with. I'm shocked. Ebuyer is also probably the biggest IT internet retailer over here. I didn't think I could go wrong. Has this really nothing to do with my incompetence and everthing to do with ebuyer selling me dodgy software!?

 

[erikistired]

Originally posted by: 14k

Originally posted by: fisher

Ok, I have made a minor breakthrough? There is a piece of paper in the box which says "Don't use volume license media to install the initial operating system license on your new PC" Does this mean there is some sort of other product key I need to enter at the installation stage - then the product key on the actual label is used elsewhere to validate?

sounds like maybe they sold you a VLK copy? which is probably why you are having problems.

Why do Microsoft make it so difficult!?

they don't. they expect you to purchase a retail copy and it will install rather easily. when you buy OEM or buy from a shady dealer (which is what this sounds like if you did in fact get a VLK version) you have to understand there are certain conditions. the OEM copy will freak if you change the motherboard, because the cd key is tied to that piece of hardware. it's cheaper because it is meant for pc resellers, not end users. the reseller makes a few extra bucks off his pc, but the copy is only supposed to be used on that pc.

anyway, contact ebuyer and ask them what to do since they sold it to you.

VLK? Volume License K?

I did contact ebuyer. They didn't seem to want anything to do with it. Something along the lines of "contact microsoft" or "we are not the manufacturer, we just sell the product", "you'll have to return it to us then"

I was certain most of the people here built their own PCs and also bought OEM versions of windows to go with it? Has noone experienced this before? Are there actually 2 OEM versions of Windows XP Pro? and I've been tricked into purchasing the version that only big pc manufacturers are supposoed to have?

sorry vlc. not sure where i got the K from. people do buy OEM copies of the software, but i try to get mine from reputable dealers.

i have a full copy and an OEM copy. with the OEM if i reinstall i generally have to call up MS and get an auth code (no biggie, 5 minutes of my time). and yes it sounds like you were sold something bad. obviously it's not working for you regardless of what you got.

The box looks completely untampered with. I'm shocked. Ebuyer is also probably the biggest IT internet retailer over here. I didn't think I could go wrong. Has this really nothing to do with my incompetence and everthing to do with ebuyer selling me dodgy software!?

if you have a copy of XP that doesn't work with the CD key provided and you aren't entering it wrong and there is a piece of paper saying not to install with volumn license software the first time (?) then you probably got dodgy software. especially if they want nothing to do with helping you get it running. i'd return it and maybe find another source, especially if their ratings are so low.

edit: do volumn copies have an individual cd key? i'm not even sure. maybe a master cd key?

 

[14k]

lets hope they take it back off me. I have already stuck the COA on the side of the PC so that is going to be some job getting off!