Why don't they tell you that pre-purchase?
Because they would probably lose at least some sales if they did.
Also it is a fact that something like 95% of the PCs sold are
eventually retired or scrapped with exactly the same hardware
configuration as when they were purchased except for possibly
increased RAM and/or optical drive (CDROM/DVD) upgraded.
Also, why don't they say:
OEM variants are likely to be tied in to hard drive restrictioons, BIOS
restrictions, implicit imaging restrictions and a whole caboodle of fun
& laughter plus the odd spyware or two?
Not quite that bad, but I appreciate your point.
IMO: go for a full retail version, insist on it! demand it! walk away if
you don't get it.
The price would be quite substantially higher - at least $100 for XP
Home, more than that for XP Pro.
As is an OEM install has probably taken place, contact the OEM and
ask/insist/demand full support for any changes you wish to make.
OEM support ends with the end of the warranty period.
Moral of the experience (IMO): avoid OEM!
Or at least understand exactly what you are, and are not, getting with
the OEM version as compared to the retail version.
However the truth is that for most consumers the 10 most important
things about any purchase are price, price, price, price, price,
price, price, price, price, and price. Support and usability
considerations are much further down the priority list.
Ron Martell Duncan B.C. Canada