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XP Pro for $99?

I

ingeborgdot

Golden Member
I was reading an article in maximum pc about building a $1500 pc. Anyway one of the components was xp pro oem. It said the price was $99. Where did he get this for that price? I want it.
 
For an OEM version, that's about the ongoing price, considering you can get a Full Academic version for less than $100.00
 
Originally posted by: Seekermeister
If you don't mind not getting a box or manual, you could get a halographic CD, which if I've read correctly, is the equivalent of a full retail OS for $89:

http://www.softwareoutlet.com/cat/MICS-010

However, check this out, because there are so many different fashions that MS bundles their software, I'm never certain of anything.
Click to expand...
But it's the COA that makes it legitimate. Otherwise you're still using an unlicensed copy, which really isn't far off from just flat out pirating the copy.

WinXP sold without a COA is never a hot deal.
 
ResellerRatings.com for Softwareoutlet.com.

Average Satisfaction Rating is 3/10. TONS of "Very Dissatisfied" ratings.
They are selling a "Holographic CD" with a Key. What the heck is that? It's nothing that Microsoft ever intended for sale.

"I purchased OFFICE XP PROFESSIONAL for $194.94 at softwareoutlet.com and i received a shady cd with a shady cd cover. I typed the product key from the shady sticker and.. TADA.. it didnt work. I called them up and after two days complaining they finally sent me a product key. But the key was the same goddamn product key. They were terrible at returning my emails and calls. The freaking key is fake! So, I called microsoft up and reported piracy."
 
Originally posted by: cubby1223
Originally posted by: Seekermeister
If you don't mind not getting a box or manual, you could get a halographic CD, which if I've read correctly, is the equivalent of a full retail OS for $89:

http://www.softwareoutlet.com/cat/MICS-010

However, check this out, because there are so many different fashions that MS bundles their software, I'm never certain of anything.
Click to expand...
But it's the COA that makes it legitimate. Otherwise you're still using an unlicensed copy, which really isn't far off from just flat out pirating the copy.

WinXP sold without a COA is never a hot deal.
Click to expand...
Isn't the registration key equivalent to the COA? Since these are coming from MS, I would assume that they are legitimate.

 
Isn't the registration key equivalent to the COA? Since these are coming from MS, I would assume that they are legitimate.
Click to expand...
No. The shady outfits can (and do) use a keygen to print out a key on a piece of paper, sell that with a holographic CD, charge someone $100 for it, and they just walked away with $90+ profit. Meanwhile, the customer gets a pirated copy of Windows that they might as well have just downloaded & burned for themselves, it would be just as illegit.

And "branded" genuine Microsoft-made OEM CD & COAs are not legit unless they're with the ___ (Dell, HP, eMachines, Gateway, IBM) that they were intended to be installed on. If people want a legit license to use Windows, these shady outfits are not a safe bet. Stick with Newegg or another solid vendor selling the real McCoy.
 
mechBgon,

I have no doubt that is a possibility, but even the MS website had info on identifying a real halographic CD. So it would appear that it is a matter of getting a good one. It would seem that if a halographic CD can be counterfeited, then a COA could be also.
 
Originally posted by: Seekermeister
mechBgon,

I have no doubt that is a possibility, but even the MS website had info on identifying a real halographic CD. So it would appear that it is a matter of getting a good one. It would seem that if a halographic CD can be counterfeited, then a COA could be also.
Click to expand...
The real point of everything is, always buy Microsoft software from a reputable dealer. Never try to shave a few bucks off the purchase price by buying from a super-shady unknown website promising great deals. What do you think the chances Newegg will sell you a counterfeit copy? Now what do you think the chances of www.supersoftwaredeals.com will sell you a conterfeit or unlicensed copy?

How about this, why would you believe some random software internet retailer can get a larger range of Microsoft software packaging than Newegg?

I once tried to save a few bucks on buying XP Home. Product came without a COA. I looked at it and said, this is $hit. I chatted with Microsoft's anti-piracy hotline for a little while, and I kid you not, within a week, the website's software section was nearly entirely taken down. And I got a refund by disputing the charge on the credit card.
 
The question to ask yourself is:

Why would a company sell legitmate Microsoft software at a heavy discount?

Where would this software come from? Is there a giant pile of discarded legitmate XP Professional that nobody wants? Where is this pile? I want some!

Counterfeiting of "look-alike" CDs and COA stickers is big business. Police have found warehouses of them in raids. Stolen COA stickers and stolen OEM Keys is big business. That's why Microsoft stopped online Activation of BIOS-locked versions of XP two years ago. People were being sold counterfeit and stolen COA stickers and stolen Key numbers.
 
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