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OEM copy of Windows XP Pro

I

IamDonSharp

Member
As of now I'm 22 days away from my current copy of xp shutting down. My roommate let me use his install disk to get my system up and running and I didn't try to activate. I've been shopping on the net and saw a bunch of people selling "OEM" disks for very very very cheap. These people claim it's legal, and has a COA and everything. Should I trust these people? Or should I just go ahead and fork over the 200+ dollars that xp pro costs? I do not want to pirate windows (further than I possibly am right now as my temp solution) so would these extremely cheap "OEM" versions be a good idea?

Sharp
 
I ordered XP last year from somewebsite that I found on
www.pricewatch.com for around $ 70.oo full version.

The website clamed that they came from boxes that were returned to the manufacture.
Who Knows the truth ? But it came wraped like it was from a New PC like thay said and the COA sticker was there.
ALSO it worked and registered with Micro$oft with NoProblem !

O and seeing how they are on Pricewatch and not hiding
IF they were doing something wrong then that would be the easyist place to be found by Micro$oft

So, I would say go for it as it work for me, may it also work for you
 
COOL COOL COOL! That's good to know, cause retail winxp pro is priced rediculously. I'm gonna give it a go, and if they try to screw me over I'll find out where they live, and PUNCH FACES!!!!
 
Seeing that kind of stuff just makes me ask the question - "How does he get ahold of thousands of copies of Windows XP for cheaper than anyone else?"
 
To mechBgon

Relax & GOTO www.pricewatch.com
slide down a little and you will see the software section
click on Operating System in the middle collum
then click - windows xp home
Slide down the page a little again

I see about 6 different websites selling

Microsoft Windows XP Home Full OEM Edition w/ SP2 COA keycode CD oem

for about $80.oo --> $85.oo

Since you made me relook
Here is were I bought XP home from last year
http://www.9software.com/Windows_XP_Home_Edition_OEM_p/winxphmoem.htm

Maybe I am abit too trusting but seeing how easy it is to find and they and 6++ other websites have been selling them for the past years I would belive thats it ligit or M$ would send a letter and lawyer there yesterday and shut them down.

Also you are only getting the Disk & sticker in that 6 x 8 inch plastic bag like when you buy a new PC. You are not getting the big Box that sits on the shelf at CompUSA.

.
 
As mechBgon states, these CDs, doubtless, are being sold in violation of Microsoft's licensing requirements.

"Legitimate" Windows XP Professional OEM version NEVER goes on sale. If it's less than about $140, it's being sold "illegally".

They are one of the following:
1) Outright conterfeit CDs with "stolen", couterfeit COAs.
2) Geniune OEM CDs, being sold wth "stolen", counterfeit COAs.
3) Genuine OEM CDs being sold with genuine COAs, but intended for another computer, being sold contrary to Microsoft's licensing requirements.

No matter which variation you get, you WON'T have a license that Microsoft considers legitimate.

If Microsoft allows you to activate the software, it's because of one of the following:
1) You've gotten through a loophole in Microsoft's Activation system
2) You've installed a BIOS-locked version on an identically-made PC (Dell XP on Dell PC)
3) You've used a COA key that's never actually been activated by the real owner (i.e. Dell BIOS-locked OEM XP owners NEVER have to activate, so their key never gets used).
4) Microsoft feels sorry for you because you unknowingly purchased illegitimate software and doesn't want to anger you.
 
Originally posted by: Wkstar
To mechBgon

Relax & GOTO www.pricewatch.com
slide down a little and you will see the software section
click on Operating System in the middle collum
then click - windows xp home
Slide down the page a little again

I see about 6 different websites selling

Microsoft Windows XP Home Full OEM Edition w/ SP2 COA keycode CD oem

for about $80.oo --> $85.oo

Since you made me relook
Here is were I bought XP home from last year
http://www.9software.com/Windows_XP_Home_Edition_OEM_p/winxphmoem.htm

Maybe I am abit too trusting but seeing how easy it is to find and they and 6++ other websites have been selling them for the past years I would belive thats it ligit or M$ would send a letter and lawyer there yesterday and shut them down.

Also you are only getting the Disk & sticker in that 6 x 8 inch plastic bag like when you buy a new PC. You are not getting the big Box that sits on the shelf at CompUSA.

.
Click to expand...
The one in your link there could be legit, yep. That's WinXP Home Edition OEM. As long as it's sold in compliance with Microsoft's policies, which may include selling it with core hardware, and as long as it's the genuine article, you'd be OK.

As you can see from the OP, he's looking at WinXP Pro OEM for half of market price. The vendor keeps ignoring questions about whether the discs are from DELL or HP or etc. Can you put 2 and 2 together? I can. 😉

With these threads, I try to start off on the assumption that the OP actually wants a legit license, not just a working installation of Windows. It's no skin off my back if he wants to gamble, but if he gets a DELL-branded or any-other-brand-branded package, then the license is void. Even if the installation works and activates. Meanwhile, some lowlife on the Internet has scammed him $70 for something he might as well have just pirated for free, as far as licensing goes. ¿Comprende ahora?
 
I learned the hard way not to buy XP at a discount from an unknown vendor from pricewatch. I did eventually get my money back, but I had to put up a huge fight, also being on the phone with the credit card company as well as Microsoft's piracy hotline. Believe me, I gave all the information I had to Microsoft's piracy hotline, and in less than a month, the company stopped selling most products that were listed on their website.

MS does go after companies who sell software like that - I guess they just don't actively search them out.
 
Hmmmm. . . . . so this guy seems fishy ehh. Maybe I'll look elsewhere, I was actually thinking of the 64bit trial but I wasn't too sure if all of the stuff I have would work right with it. I've talked to people that have had issues with software n drivers n such. I guess I'll continue the search.
 
Are you a student? If so you are eligible for academic pricing. 😛 Keep in mind that once you install the OEM operating system on your pc you are unable to (legally) transfer it to a new one. If you really want to avoid piracy, and carry the OS over to a new system, then purchase the retail copy of the OS. XP Pro retail is around $150-$180 on eBay.
 
Actually, you should buy it. I believe that if you have an illegal copy of the software and microsoft dings you for it, then you can give MS your info and they'll send you a brand new shiny legal copy of it for free.

At least htat's what the windows genuine advnatage thing says...
 
I'd buy a legit OEM copy from newegg if I was you, it will save u hassle.
Also if you are a student check out this thread Maybe your school sells you a discounted copy of XP!
 
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