• We’re currently investigating an issue related to the forum theme and styling that is impacting page layout and visual formatting. The problem has been identified, and we are actively working on a resolution. There is no impact to user data or functionality, this is strictly a front-end display issue. We’ll post an update once the fix has been deployed. Thanks for your patience while we get this sorted.

XP Home questions

8

888qqq

Member
I'm thinking about buying XP Home. I only use my computer for basic stuff like surfing the Internet, typing Word documents, watching videos on Youtube and will most likely never change my uses, so is there any reason I would want XP Pro instead of Home? I guess the main advantages of Pro are multi monitor support and remote access, but I don't believe I will ever need those features. Since Home is simpler than Pro is Home any faster or easier to use than Pro? My computer is eight years old and came with ME, so I guess I only need an upgrade to Home but the upgrade packages I've seen listed for more than the complete packages which makes no sense. Will the new Home package be transferable to any computer I have? I am planning on putting a new computer together, so can I just transfer Home from my current computer to the new one? If the new packages are transferable then why are they offered as multi packs? The best price I've found for Home is $90 at Viosoftware.com. Buycheapsoftware.com had the same price. Is $90 a good price? Thanks for any replies.
 
Windows Home DOES support multi-monitors.

Professional and Home are the same speed.

At that price, you are likely looking at OEM versions of XP. Microsoft discounts those because:
a) Microsoft doesn't provide support
b) You aren't licensed to move them to a different motherboard later

OEM software was originally designed for System Builders. Hence the Multipacks. You can use it if you wish.
 
Windows Home has no native support for networking other than (super) simple file sharing (as far as I know). Also, if you can help it, don't upgrade from ME. A clean install would be the best way to go for any OS upgrade, especially from ME.

Originally posted by: RebateMonger
Windows Home DOES support multi-monitors.
Click to expand...

This is good to know...
 
What does it mean that MS does not provide support for OEM Windows O/S's? Does that mean that I won't be able to protect my computer as well from viruses? Someone told me that ME is no longer supported by MS and therefore I wouldn't be able to protect my computer as well as with a newer o/s. I don't believe I will ever do any networking with my computer. If I buy the Home OEM I can only install it on one computer, correct? The only listing for Home that I saw on viosoftware.com and buycheapsoftware.com were OEM I believe, so if I want to transfer the Home o/s system from my current computer to the one I will eventually put together which version of Home should I buy? Thanks for any replies.
 
Originally posted by: 888qqq
What does it mean that MS does not provide support for OEM Windows O/S's?
Click to expand...
It only means that if you have a problem installing or configuring Windows within the first 90 days, Microsoft will charge you for help. For most folks, it's a non-issue. MS will still help you with Windows Updates issues and Service Pack issues, and you can use Microsoft's free tools like Windows Defender.

MS's license for OEM Windows says that it must stay with the original motherboard. Many users report that they've been able to MOVE OEM Windows XP to a different motherboard and Microsoft has provided assistance re-Activating XP. But there's no guarantee, since you are in violation of the EULA license agreement stated on the packaging and agreed to when you first start up Windows.

Retail versions of XP allow you to MOVE the operating system to a new PC. The cheapest (comparable in price to the OEM version) is the Retail UPGRADE edition. Note, though, that the EULA for THAT version requires that you already possess an eligible version of Windows to upgrade, and that you move the previous version's license to the new PC when you move the XP upgrade to the new PC. In your case, that shouldn't be a problem.

XP Home Retail Upgrade $100 at Amazon.com

A list of other reputable vendors of Windows XP.

If you want Retail version, buy it soon. It'll likely be disappearing from major retailers shortly.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Back
Top