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windows xp pro oem or retail

C

Codyz28

Member
Still debating on building a pc. Noticed at new egg there is a retail and OEM version of xp. Is the oem ok, since it is so much cheaper?
 
go with oem, Expecially if you know your way around winxp. Alls the retail does is give you a big manual of how to use windows xp.
 
Thanks! I dont know anything about xp, since all I have used is this horrid 98, but I will go with the OEM if I decide to build. Thanks again 🙂

Cody
 
An OEM version of XP is supposed to be installed on one PC only. You are not supposed to remove it from one PC and install it on another, even if both PCs are yours. That is why you cannot sell it.
You also do not get any big manuals with it, only a small 30-pager.
 
Originally posted by: Navid
An OEM version of XP is supposed to be installed on one PC only. You are not supposed to remove it from one PC and install it on another, even if both PCs are yours. That is why you cannot sell it.
You also do not get any big manuals with it, only a small 30-pager.
Click to expand...

huh? I thought your not supposed to install any windows on other computers?

I dont think there is anyone who needs a manual for Windows XP. Its just about as simple as it gets. The biggest thing is, you wont get support from Microsoft if you use the OEM version. NO big deal though, since Microsoft has the worst tech support I have ever experienced. After they cant figure out your problem, and treat you poorly, chances are they will refer you to a random manufacturer. I called Dell, they told me to call MS. MS told me to call Dell, Dell then told me to call Microsoft again.
 
Originally posted by: Codyz28
Thanks! I dont know anything about xp, since all I have used is this horrid 98, but I will go with the OEM if I decide to build. Thanks again 🙂
Click to expand...
My personal experience with OEM versions of Windows up through ME and W2K was that you had to rename Win.Com if you used the OEM to install on top of an older version; just in case you wanted something similar to an upgrade. It expected an empty hard drive, but could be made to accommodate other situations (although not a dual boot without a work-around).

I have always liked Win98, and always kept it available for gaming, no matter whether I was using W2K for business or not. And I put my copies of XP back on the shelf some years ago as not being ready for prime time. I don't have an OEM copy of either Home or Pro, but neither one's retail version came with a "large" manual, just a small-to-medium size one.



:disgust:
 
Actually you get the same support whether you use oem or retail. When it comes to registration, oem and retail are exactly the same,so support is the same as well. I just used oem version of xp pro and its working great and i still get support, whether i need it or not. go with oem.
 
I thought the main difference was the license and price. OEM copies are "married" to the hardware they are installed on, meaning you're not supposed to install it on another PC later. Seems strange to me since when I'm doing upgrades some hardware (but not all) from the old PC is reused anyhow =/ Bit of a gray area maybe.
 
Thankyou for all this good info. This will be for only one pc, and it will be going on an emty hard drive, if I do build this rig, which I never even built one before. Now I just noticed another version that sells pretty cheap, but it says "XP Upgrade" or "Update"..cant remember which one it was. Now would this version only be used to install XP over 98 or other previous Windows?

Another question I have but I will put it in a new thread about antivirus.

Thanks
 
By the way all the above information is incorrect. Windows XP retial and OEM on the software side and activation side are identical. The only difference is with yout support options. With the Retail copy of XP you get 3 free warrenty support calls to MS. With OEM you get nothing. Meaning any issues you have and need support for with the OEM copy you gotta shell out 245$ as it is a pro OS if you have XP home OEM its 35$ as it is designated a HOME OS. Do your research before posting false information guys.

PS I happen to work at MS. But all the information is in the knowlwdge base
 
Man, ****pulls hair out****, I think I will just buy an ABS. Everything sounds like a nightmare when it comes to building one :disgust: uggg!
 
Originally posted by: reverend1313
By the way all the above information is incorrect. Windows XP retial and OEM on the software side and activation side are identical. The only difference is with yout support options. With the Retail copy of XP
Click to expand...

Well, please explain this then considering that everyone else is wrong and you are right.
http://www.microsoft.com/piracy/partners/yourpc_do.mspx
This is from Microsoft (your employer?) describing that an OEM software is not supposed to be removed from the original machine.
 
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