How should I buy Windows XP Pro?

[Mudbone]

I am building a new rig. Its been about 5 years since I built a machine from the ground up. (Win 98SE) I need someone to give me a quick primer on what the different options are for getting Win XP Pro without paying full retail.

What is the difference between the full version and the oem version?

Microsoft lists the full version as $299 but I have seen some retailers with Full versions listed in the $120s and oems in the $80 range. Whats the deal?

When I bought 98SE for that last rig, I was able to get a cheap full version by purchasing it with hardware like a drive or cpu. Does this type of deal still exist?

If I buy an upgrade version of XP pro will I have to install my 98SE version on my machine first in order to upgrade?

I have seen some OEM pre-intallation CDs for XP that are $2 or $3. What are these and are they XP pro?

I am going to be using an Athlon 64 CPU. Should I just forget about purchasing for now and download the free Win XP pro x64 version?

TIA

 

[techwanabe]

AFAIK,

The OEM version is the same as the full retail version. Companies are supposed to only sell the OEM version with hardware. How hardware is defined is sometimes a bit loose according to some vendors.. ie they will sell you WinXP OEM with a cable or some such so I hear.

 

[AnyMal]

Originally posted by: techwanabe
AFAIK,

The OEM version is the same as the full retail version. Companies are supposed to only sell the OEM version with hardware. How hardware is defined is sometimes a bit loose according to some vendors.. ie they will sell you WinXP OEM with a cable or some such so I hear.

OEM versions are NOT THE SAME as retail. Key differences:

1. OEM version can not be used to upgrade pervious Windows OS. Full install only.

2. OEM version will not be supported by MS unless you can prove it was purchased from OEM it was intended for.

This may not present a problem for some, but since OP asked, thought I'd point that out.

 

[imported_haris]

XP Pro is a bit more secure than XP Home, because some of the default security settings in XP Pro are turned on automatically. Another reason to get XP Pro might be if you want to run IIS to run websites on your machine. You can run websites an XP Home setup, but you need to download/run web server software like "personal web server" or "Apache".

 

[DaveSimmons]

A safe place to buy XP Home or Pro OEM is Newegg.com, microsoft does support them at least somewhat. My brother accidentallly threw away his license key (it's on the shrinkwrap) and was able to get a new activation by phone from ms.

If you get spam mail or see a forum post that offers a much lower price than newegg.com, it's pirate software! They'll have fine print saying things like "these are backups" or "software updates not avaialble from manufacturer" or just keep your money and send nothing. Paying money for warez is stupid.

 

[Navid]

There is a major difference between OEM and retail that has not been mentioned here.

OEM is tied to the machine. Retail is tied to the user. You cannot, at least officially, remove an OEM from one computer and install it on another computer. You can with Retail. If your computer with OEM on it dies, so does the license.

 

[JeffreyLebowski]

If you want 64-bit version it's free from M$ for 1 year. Look in the X64 thread sticked at the top of the page.

 

[Mudbone]

Originally posted by: Navid
There is a major difference between OEM and retail that has not been mentioned here.

OEM is tied to the machine. Retail is tied to the user. You cannot, at least officially, remove an OEM from one computer and install it on another computer. You can with Retail. If your computer with OEM on it dies, so does the license.

Thanks for pointing that out. However, can't that machine be upgraded? IE new Mobo and new CPU?

 

[Navid]

Originally posted by: Mudbone


Thanks for pointing that out. However, can't that machine be upgraded? IE new Mobo and new CPU?

I do not have a definitive answer.

I have seen this, which many people refer to all the time.
http://michaelstevenstech.com/oemeula.htm

So, I know that except the motherboard, you are allowed to upgrade any component. When it comes to the motherboard, I am not completely sure.

Microsoft may not give you a very hard time if you do not follow the requirements 100%, specially in the US.