Windows XP Pro

[Thurgo0dy]

I jus ordered the parts for my new comp completely forgetting the OS....Where can I get windows XP pro for cheap?

 

[spherrod]

You could get an OEM copy from the place you've ordered the parts from - that would probably be the cheapest option

 

[Thurgo0dy]

What's included in the OEM copy?

 

[spherrod]

CD, license, not much in way of documentation - I think the copy of XP is then licensed only to the system you have purchased and built though

 

[Thurgo0dy]

so only 1 license? so after 1 install I can't use it on any more computers?

 

[Budman]

Originally posted by: Thurgo0dy
so only 1 license? so after 1 install I can't use it on any more computers?

that's the way XP works.

 

[Thurgo0dy]

well then what's the diff between the retail and OEM? just the documentation?

 

[MrChad]

Originally posted by: Thurgo0dy
well then what's the diff between the retail and OEM? just the documentation?

Retail licenses are tied to the owner. You can uninstall a retail copy from one PC and transfer it to a new PC.

OEM licenses are supposed to be sold with new hardware and are tied to the machine they are first installed on. Once you install an OEM version of XP on a machine, you cannot transfer it to another (well, according to the license you can't, there's no technical limitation preventing this though).

 

[Farmer]

And I think you are limited in the number of reinstalls you can do, right?

Anyhow, OEM XP runs around $100-$120 a license. Each license is for 1 system up to 2 CPUs. It has to be purchased with hardware; the type of hardware that qualifies you for OEM purchase is usually delineated by the retailor; for instance, Newegg specifically tells you the type of hardware you need to purchase to get OEM XP.

 

[Leros]

Originally posted by: Farmer
And I think you are limited in the number of reinstalls you can do, right?

Ive reinstalled my copy of Win XP OEM probally 10 times in the past 6 months.

You just have to call them up each time. The onlne activation only worked the first time I actiavted it.

 

[Jon855]

Get it from NewEgg, they offer some nice deals OEMs and Retails.