Windows XP Pro - best place to buy?

[anonymous]

We need to purchase full version of Windows XP Pro to
replace pirated version. We hate to spend the $299 since
the computer was supposed to have OEM version on it. But
legally we cannot purchase OEM unless purchase hardware
with it.

Microsoft programs through Techsoup.org will not help
because the Windows XP Pro is for upgrades only and newly
built computer was purchased from company.

I have been searching Froogle for prices. One company
offered version with key code and COA but the manuals
were on the CD in Acrobat format or Help files. It was
cheaper.

I thought that legally package was to include manual,
COA, and CDs when purchased. Aren't packages supposed to
include manuals? Don't want to get burned twice.

Anonymous

 

[Guest]

Microsoft Product pricing is universal, so one place should not have any advantage over another

If you have a Retial version of another Windows Product, then it is possible to use the Upgrade Version of XP Pro to install on your PC

During the installation process, XP will check to see if there is a qualifying product, if it is not installed on the Hard Drive, you will be asked to insert the installation CD of the qualifying product for verification.

As for manuals, it has been many years since the full product manual was included with the Microsoft Products [any one of them]. Most now come only with a very small 'user guide'.

You can buy a Microsoft Press user manual or any 3rd Party user manual. These vary in the depth of coverage depending upon your skill level or dsesire to learn the use Microsoft's Operating System or Applications

 

[zag]

Windows XP pricing is NOT universal. Do some looking
with Google. Prices all over the map. Pick a vendor
you can trust.
z ----------------------------------------------------

-----Original Message-----
Microsoft Product pricing is universal, so one place

should not have any advantage over another.

If you have a Retial version of another Windows Product,

then it is possible to use the Upgrade Version of XP Pro to
install on your PC.

During the installation process, XP will check to see if

there is a qualifying product, if it is not installed on
the Hard Drive, you will be asked to insert the
installation CD of the qualifying product for verification.

As for manuals, it has been many years since the full

product manual was included with the Microsoft Products
[any one of them]. Most now come only with a very small
'user guide'.

You can buy a Microsoft Press user manual or any 3rd Party

user manual. These vary in the depth of coverage depending
upon your skill level or dsesire to learn the use
Microsoft's Operating System or Applications.

 

[Jerry]

Best Buy was selling XP Pro for almost $300 when I went to the local
computer fair and got XP Pro full for $180. (This WAS NOT an OEM version.)
No universal pricing around here.

Windows XP pricing is NOT universal. Do some looking
with Google. Prices all over the map. Pick a vendor
you can trust.
z ----------------------------------------------------

-----Original Message-----
Microsoft Product pricing is universal, so one place

should not have any advantage over another.

If you have a Retial version of another Windows Product,

then it is possible to use the Upgrade Version of XP Pro to
install on your PC.

During the installation process, XP will check to see if

there is a qualifying product, if it is not installed on
the Hard Drive, you will be asked to insert the
installation CD of the qualifying product for verification.

As for manuals, it has been many years since the full

product manual was included with the Microsoft Products
[any one of them]. Most now come only with a very small
'user guide'.

You can buy a Microsoft Press user manual or any 3rd Party

user manual. These vary in the depth of coverage depending
upon your skill level or dsesire to learn the use
Microsoft's Operating System or Applications.

.

 

[*Vanguard*]

anonymous said in news:[email protected]:

We need to purchase full version of Windows XP Pro to
replace pirated version. We hate to spend the $299 since
the computer was supposed to have OEM version on it. But
legally we cannot purchase OEM unless purchase hardware
with it.

<snip>

WHAT hardware is required is not specifically other than non-peripheral
hardware. You do NOT have to buy an entire computer. So buy an IDE or
SATA cable for $2.

 

[*Vanguard*]

*Vanguard* said in news:[email protected]:

anonymous said in news:[email protected]:
<snip>

WHAT hardware is required is not specifically other than
non-peripheral hardware. You do NOT have to buy an entire computer.
So buy an IDE or SATA cable for $2.

Okay, just reread my post. Must've been dozing off at the moment. The
hardware required as part of an OEM purchase of Windows is only
specified to the extent that cannot be peripheral hardware (printer,
external USB drive, router, etc.). But any non-periphal hardware counts
(IDE or SATA cable, motherboard standoffs, power Y-adapter, fan, floppy
drive, PSU, hard drive, or whatever other hardware that is not outside
the box). I got my legit OEM copy from newegg.com by adding a SATA
cable (since I'd eventually need a second one, anyway, should I decide
to add another SATA drive).

 

[M]

The academic license which is actually supplied as an upgrade version will
always be the cheapest. Its worth checking out the conditions because its
not hard to qualify. If you have a child in school or are attending night
school then that is sufficient. If you haven't an earlier version of
Windows then these can be bought on eBay, be sure to get the license.

 

[Tumbleweed]

We need to purchase full version of Windows XP Pro to
replace pirated version. We hate to spend the $299 since
the computer was supposed to have OEM version on it. But
legally we cannot purchase OEM unless purchase hardware
with it.

Microsoft programs through Techsoup.org will not help
because the Windows XP Pro is for upgrades only and newly
built computer was purchased from company.

I have been searching Froogle for prices. One company
offered version with key code and COA but the manuals
were on the CD in Acrobat format or Help files. It was
cheaper.

I thought that legally package was to include manual,
COA, and CDs when purchased. Aren't packages supposed to
include manuals? Don't want to get burned twice.

Anonymous

All: If they have a WIn 98 CD could they purchase the upgrade version and
save some money?
[Thats why people sell these disks on ebay?]

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

In

All: If they have a WIn 98 CD could they purchase the upgrade version
and save some money?

Yes. But also returning to the question of OEM versions, which
have also been suggested, the OP should understand what are the
disadvantages of the OEM version as compared with the retail
version:

1. Its license ties it permanently to the first computer it's
installed on. It can never legally be moved to another computer,
sold, or given away.

2. It can only do a clean installation, not an upgrade.

3. Microsoft provides no support for OEM versions. You can't call
them with a problem, but instead have to get any needed support
from your OEM; that support may range anywhere between good and
non-existent. Or you can get support elsewhere, such as in these
newsgroups.

 

[Susan]

If legal retail (non-OEM) Windows XP Pro is purchased, will Microsoft
provide free support to install it over pirated version? If so what kind of
support?

 

[Tumbleweed]

You dont need support for that, just backup your data and do a clean
install.
(even for an upgrade you wouldnt need support its extremely unlikely there
is anything wrong with the s/w its just that it is old and cant be
updated)...and as someone else said you can buy a really cheap bit of
hardware to get the OEM version.