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Where is the least expensive place to buy a copy of Windows XP?

If you're a student at uni, your bookstore probably. Of course, the educational license technically ends when you are no longer a student.
 
Originally posted by: biggiesmallz
Originally posted by: fisher
no.
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He has 5.5 out of 6 stars for a rating after 1300 review.

What would be a concern about buying from him?
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i wouldn't buy a dell oem copy of xp to put on my machine from anyone. i'm fairly certain he isn't supposed to be selling those even WITH the piece of hardware. just my opinion, which is what you asked.
 
they are right, it's a very grey area, and MS is wll within the EULA to deny you activation...it's worth it to buy it and be sure.

The major differences:

Upgrade: Must have an applicable prior windows CD to use, Retail (can be transferred??)
Retail: FUll version, can be tranfered from machine to machine (i.e. not tied to H/W)
OEM: Tied to hardware (motherboard) and MS may not activate if you change motherboards (cheapest available)

The "Dell OEM" are OEM copies that were sold to dell for inclusion in a new Dell system. As far as MS is concerned, it's tied to that original H/W (the dell) and no valid for use on any other system.
 
I had a good experience reactivating after Windows decided my newly overclocked X2 was a new system. Do you think they can tell which piece of hardware was changed? I think I read something about them not being able to recover the changed component of the formula from the final number.

Anyway, I doubt they will give you much crap about a reactivation, and I agree that you should stay away from the Dell OEM copy. Considering that you can get two copies of XP Pro OEM for roughly the price of one retail version I would take the risk and get a fresh OEM from newegg or wherever.
 
If you go to college definately check with your book store. I got mine from a special program that my school has with microsoft. I got a full version of WinXP Pro and WinXP Pro 64bit for $15 total. If you don't go to college find a friend who does and look in to it.

this is the program my school uses:


http://msdn.microsoft.com/academic/
 
Originally posted by: fisher
yes as long as you have a cd for a qualifying product to "upgrade" from.
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And a valid license for the qualifying product too, of course 🙂

 
Originally posted by: biggiesmallz
Do you think this is a smart buy. It's a Dell OEM Full copy that suppositly can run on any computer $59
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Microsoft's position is that a Dell OEM copy of XP that doesn't come with a Dell computer is not properly licensed.
 
Originally posted by: Markbnj
I had a good experience reactivating after Windows decided my newly overclocked X2 was a new system. Do you think they can tell which piece of hardware was changed? I think I read something about them not being able to recover the changed component of the formula from the final number.

Anyway, I doubt they will give you much crap about a reactivation, and I agree that you should stay away from the Dell OEM copy. Considering that you can get two copies of XP Pro OEM for roughly the price of one retail version I would take the risk and get a fresh OEM from newegg or wherever.
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Agreed. On the motherboard issue, what happens if your motherboard breaks (supposedly a "valid" reason) and you can't find another one exactly as old and crappy as the one that must be replaced? Will MS deny you activation (if they could even tell)?
 
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