branded versions of xp

R

RoS

EBay often has used versions of xp for sale, frequently with a dell or HP
label, but advertised as full versions with genuine COAs and useable on any
PC.
Are these chopped down versions of xp in any way and would they qualify
under WGA for upgrades?

Tia
RoS
 
S

Shenan Stanley

RoS said:
EBay often has used versions of xp for sale, frequently with a dell
or HP label, but advertised as full versions with genuine COAs and
useable on any PC.
Are these chopped down versions of xp in any way and would they
qualify under WGA for upgrades?

I have no idea how one could legitmately sell a BRANDED OEM copy of Windows
XP...
But I am not a lawyer.

Perhaps someone will answer with more knowledge - but in my opinion, if it
sounds too good to be 'true' (legitimate) --> I don't think it is worth the
risk.
 
L

llort

RoS said:
EBay often has used versions of xp for sale, frequently with a dell or HP
label, but advertised as full versions with genuine COAs and useable on any
PC.
Are these chopped down versions of xp in any way and would they qualify
under WGA for upgrades?

Tia
RoS


Branded (OEM) versions will install onto that brand of PC without need
to put the license in (is auto-generated on install). They will install
onto other machines with a 30 day trial.
There is an official tool that will force, for example, an HP CoA into a
Dell OEM version of Windows. You call the number and it generates a new
license number, making your Windows "genuine"

Microsuck don't allow selling of XP, unless it is the full retail version.

Llort
 
M

Mick the spiv

Shenan Stanley said:
I have no idea how one could legitmately sell a BRANDED OEM copy of
Windows XP...
But I am not a lawyer.

Perhaps someone will answer with more knowledge - but in my opinion, if it
sounds too good to be 'true' (legitimate) --> I don't think it is worth
the risk.
I think that if it's sold with a computer part e.g. mouse or plug in flash
memory then it's ok.
 
M

Mike Cawood, HND BIT

llort said:
Branded (OEM) versions will install onto that brand of PC without need to
put the license in (is auto-generated on install). They will install onto
other machines with a 30 day trial.
There is an official tool that will force, for example, an HP CoA into a
Dell OEM version of Windows. You call the number and it generates a new
license number, making your Windows "genuine"

Microsuck don't allow selling of XP, unless it is the full retail version.

Llort
That's wrong, an upgrade retail version can quite legally be sold.
Mike.
 
M

Mick the spiv

Mike Cawood said:
That's wrong, an upgrade retail version can quite legally be sold.
Mike.
What MS wants by the way is immaterial, it's what the law is that counts.
 
R

RoS

These are advertised as full retail - ie not upgrade - versions. I suppose
an OEM could be said to be a ''full'' version in this sense?
RoS
 
G

Guest

The copy that i bought was from a dismantled laptop that had a full licence
xp, rather than an oem licence. Because it's a full licence you can install
it on another pc as long as it has been removed from the original machine.
 
M

Malke

RoS said:
These are advertised as full retail - ie not upgrade - versions. I suppose
an OEM could be said to be a ''full'' version in this sense?
RoS

If they are advertised as "full retail" and they are OEM, the
advertising is lying. An OEM install CD is not a full retail CD.

A generic (non-branded) OEM version can be installed on any supported
hardware. OEM versions are tied to the hardware on which they are first
installed. A full retail version can be installed on any supported
hardware and is not tied to any specific machine.

A branded OEM version usually cannot be installed on anything except
that specific brand machine. Someone posted information about how to
make an HP disk install on a Dell; I can't say whether that works since
I've never tried it (or needed to try it). I can tell you that Dell OEM
disks are BIOS-locked to Dell motherboards.

I would stay away from this particular "deal". You're better off buying
from reputable places. I like NewEgg.com and Amazon, but of course where
you live is a factor in whom you order from.


Malke
 
T

Tim Slattery

RoS said:
These are advertised as full retail - ie not upgrade - versions. I suppose
an OEM could be said to be a ''full'' version in this sense?

An OEM disk has the full operating system, yes. A branded one might
come with drivers for the manufacturers peripherals, I'm not sure
about that one. And an OEM disk will not upgrade an existing system,
it needs to be installed from scratch.

*Any* OEM disk comes with limited support: all support is supposed to
come from the OEM, Microsoft will not help you. And any OEM system is
valid only for the first system it's installed on, it cannot be moved
to another computer even if the first one no longer exists. (Don't
yell at me, I didn't make it up!) That's why OEM disks are cheaper
than retail disks.
 
H

HeyBub

Mick said:
What MS wants by the way is immaterial, it's what the law is that
counts.

What Microsoft wants IS the law.

It's called "Contract Law" and it's a required course in law school.
 
J

Jupiter Jones [MVP]

"full licence xp, rather than an oem licence"
That statement can be confusing.
Perhaps you meant "retail license xp, rather than an oem license"
Full as opposed to upgrade.
Retail as opposed to OEM.

Generally OEM is a full license as the word is normally used.
Retail come in full or upgrade.
 
L

llort

Jupiter said:
"full licence xp, rather than an oem licence"
That statement can be confusing.
Perhaps you meant "retail license xp, rather than an oem license"
Full as opposed to upgrade.
Retail as opposed to OEM.

Generally OEM is a full license as the word is normally used.
Retail come in full or upgrade.

Yeah, OK, you are correct.
Llort
 
L

llort

Malke said:
If they are advertised as "full retail" and they are OEM, the
advertising is lying. An OEM install CD is not a full retail CD.

A generic (non-branded) OEM version can be installed on any supported
hardware. OEM versions are tied to the hardware on which they are first
installed. A full retail version can be installed on any supported
hardware and is not tied to any specific machine.

A branded OEM version usually cannot be installed on anything except
that specific brand machine. Someone posted information about how to
make an HP disk install on a Dell; I can't say whether that works since
I've never tried it (or needed to try it). I can tell you that Dell OEM
disks are BIOS-locked to Dell motherboards.

I would stay away from this particular "deal". You're better off buying
from reputable places. I like NewEgg.com and Amazon, but of course where
you live is a factor in whom you order from.


Malke


Dell OEM CD's are NOT BIOS locked. The one I have installs fine on
another brand machine, but gives a 30 day trial.

Llort
 

Ask a Question

Want to reply to this thread or ask your own question?

You'll need to choose a username for the site, which only take a couple of moments. After that, you can post your question and our members will help you out.

Ask a Question

Top