Buying XP Home, reference for ZTechSoftware.com

  • Thread starter Thread starter Jason
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J

Jason

I'm about to buy a Windows XP Home Edition (full install version) to
FINALLY upgrade from my Windows 98. I know that I could buy an upgrade,
but my 98 is an upgrade from 95, and I think it's about time to do a
clean install.

At Best Buy, WinXP was $200, but when I searched online, I came across
ZTechSoftware for $65 (plus $12 for s/h; high, but still a cheap
total). That seems like a pretty big difference, so naturally I'm wary.

Here's the link:
http://www.ztechsoftware.com/servlet/the-61/Microsoft-Windows-XP-Home/Detail

Is this a reputable company? I am looking at the right thing, right?

TIA,

Jason
 
Jason said:
Is this a reputable company? I am looking at the right thing, right?
Click to expand...
From what I see, yes. it is the OEM version, meaning a CD only, no manuals
what so ever.
--
-E-
Download my free home PC Basics guide.
http://www.conejonetwork.com
Bottom of the page, PDF format.
Tell us what else you would like to see.
 
Jason said:
I'm about to buy a Windows XP Home Edition (full install version) to
FINALLY upgrade from my Windows 98. I know that I could buy an upgrade,
but my 98 is an upgrade from 95, and I think it's about time to do a
clean install.

At Best Buy, WinXP was $200, but when I searched online, I came across
ZTechSoftware for $65 (plus $12 for s/h; high, but still a cheap
total). That seems like a pretty big difference, so naturally I'm wary.

Here's the link:
http://www.ztechsoftware.com/servlet/the-61/Microsoft-Windows-XP-Home/Detail

Is this a reputable company? I am looking at the right thing, right?
Click to expand...

I know nothing about the company so I cannot say if it is good or bad.
However the basic axiom for online purchases (or any other type of
purchase) is that if a deal seems too good to be true then it probably
is.

As for "clean install" you can easily do this with the Retail Upgrade
version of Windows XP Home provided you have the original install CD
for either Windows 95 or Windows 98 available. You will be asked to
insert it during the install process to validat your ownership of a
quailifying product for the upgrad version. Either Windows 98 or
Windows 95 install CDs will do for this purpose even though Windows 95
is not mentioned in the documentation.

A retail license does provide some advantages over an OEM version that
you might find worth considering. An OEM license is permanently
locked to the first computer that it is installed on and cannot be
legitimately moved to another computer under any circumstances. A
Retail license can be moved from computer to computer to computer as
the license owner sees fit, provided only that it cannot be installed
on more than one computer at any given point in time.

So if a new computer is in your future planning, and especially if you
are contemplating purchasing components separately and building the
new machine yourself then a Retail Upgrade version of XP could be
moved to the new machine whereas an OEM license would be locked to the
old computer.

Good luck

Ron Martell Duncan B.C. Canada
--
Microsoft MVP (1997 - 2006)
On-Line Help Computer Service
http://onlinehelp.bc.ca

"Anyone who thinks that they are too small to make a difference
has never been in bed with a mosquito."
 
I'm about to buy a Windows XP Home Edition (full install version) to
FINALLY upgrade from my Windows 98. I know that I could buy an upgrade,
but my 98 is an upgrade from 95, and I think it's about time to do a
clean install.

At Best Buy, WinXP was $200, but when I searched online, I came across
ZTechSoftware for $65 (plus $12 for s/h; high, but still a cheap
total). That seems like a pretty big difference, so naturally I'm wary.

Here's the link:
http://www.ztechsoftware.com/servlet/the-61/Microsoft-Windows-XP-Home/Detail

Is this a reputable company? I am looking at the right thing, right?

TIA,

Jason
Click to expand...

Cheapest I found in Froogle was $79. In any event make sure you use a
credit card.
 
Jason said:
I'm about to buy a Windows XP Home Edition (full install version) to
FINALLY upgrade from my Windows 98. I know that I could buy an upgrade,
but my 98 is an upgrade from 95, and I think it's about time to do a
clean install.
Click to expand...

Just but the upgrade XP2 version at retail stores for about $89 or less.
Then use your win98 CD as proof of previos os when asked during the
install process, even if doing it on a clean disk.
 
Just but the upgrade XP2 version at retail stores for about $89 or less.
Then use your win98 CD as proof of previos os when asked during the
install process, even if doing it on a clean disk.
Click to expand...


Thanks to all of you for the advice. I went ahead and ordered it on
Saturday (through Paypal), and on Sunday I received an email from
Paypal stating that they had created a label and that it would be on
its way as of today. I'll let everyone know if it comes in a timely
manner; from California to NC, I expect to receive it next Monday.

Plato, I originally considered an upgrade, but the problem was that my
original Win 95 is on floppy, and for some reason Disk 2 stopped
working. I remember that Microsoft did something to correct the problem
(back in '99, when I upgraded to Win 98), but I really don't remember
what.

I'll have to take your word for it that I could have upgraded using my
'98 upgrade disk. Realistically, the OEM full version was cheaper than
the upgrade, so it should be exactly what I want.

Thanks again, all,

- J
 
I'll let everyone know if it comes in a timely
manner; from California to NC, I expect to receive it next Monday.
Click to expand...

FWIW, it came in yesterday, exactly like you guys said. No box, just a
CD and a "Start Here" manual. I haven't installed it yet (that's the
fun job for the weekend, along with a new hard drive), so unless there
are any problems, everything seems to be exactly what I wanted.

Thanks for all the help,

Jason
 
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