can I validate XP CD offered for sale?

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Cookie

Someone (who is a stranger to me) is offering an OEM version of XP for
sale. If I get the serial number is there any way I can verify whether
or not this is a legitimate version and also be sure that it has not
been stolen or lost en route in the mail etc? If this is possible, on
the web or on the phone to MS any details you have would be
appreciated.
Thanx in advance.
 
Cookie said:
Someone (who is a stranger to me) is offering an OEM version of XP for
sale. If I get the serial number is there any way I can verify
whether or not this is a legitimate version and also be sure that it
has not been stolen or lost en route in the mail etc?
Click to expand...


I don't know any way to do this.

Has this copy previously been installed? If so, be aware that the OEM
license ties it permanently to the first computer it's installed on, and it
can never legitimately be moved to another.

Also be aware that if it's an OEM copy that came with a brand-name OEM
computer, it may be BIOS-locked to that computer and physically may not
install on any other.

All in all, buying an OEM copy from an individual like this is very risky,
and I personally wouldn't do it.

Besides, I think that OEM copies are generally poor deals because of the
restrictions they come with (even if it never has been installed on another
computer, you would never be able to move it to a different computer if your
computer died). Retail Upgrade copies usually cost only slightly more than
OEM copies, and are well worth that small additional cost, as far as I'm
concerned. And if you don't realize it, Upgrade copies *can* do clean
installations, as long as you have a CD of a previous qualifying version to
insert as proof of ownership when the installation prompts you to.
 
Cookie said:
Someone (who is a stranger to me) is offering an OEM version of XP for
sale. If I get the serial number is there any way I can verify whether
or not this is a legitimate version and also be sure that it has not
been stolen or lost en route in the mail etc? If this is possible, on
the web or on the phone to MS any details you have would be
appreciated.
Thanx in advance.
Click to expand...


Is he also selling you the computer on which that OEM license was
initially installed and to which it is permanently bound? If not, it's
not likely to be a legitimate sale.


--

Bruce Chambers

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safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. -Benjamin Franklin

Many people would rather die than think; in fact, most do. -Bertrand Russell
 
And is he an original equipment manufacturer (OEM) offering you a computer
with XP installed? If not, it probably is not legitimate.
 
I don't know any way to do this.

Has this copy previously been installed? If so, be aware that the OEM
license ties it permanently to the first computer it's installed on, and it
can never legitimately be moved to another.

Also be aware that if it's an OEM copy that came with a brand-name OEM
computer, it may be BIOS-locked to that computer and physically may not
install on any other.

All in all, buying an OEM copy from an individual like this is very risky,
and I personally wouldn't do it.

Besides, I think that OEM copies are generally poor deals because of the
restrictions they come with (even if it never has been installed on another
computer, you would never be able to move it to a different computer if your
computer died).
Click to expand...

You could, however, replace the part or parts that died.

Alias
 
Jone said:
And is he an original equipment manufacturer (OEM) offering you a computer
with XP installed? If not, it probably is not legitimate.
Click to expand...

Are you saying that stores like NewEgg that sell generic OEM versions of
XP are not legitimate because they don't sell any hardware, much less a
computer, with their XP CDs?

Alias
 
Alias said:
Are you saying that stores like NewEgg that sell generic OEM versions of
XP are not legitimate because they don't sell any hardware, much less a
computer, with their XP CDs?

Alias
Click to expand...

Stores like newegg work with that restriction. They require you to
purchase some sort of hardware along with the cd to satisfy the
requirement. Typically they will have you purchase some sort of
inexpensive item <$5 and actually bundle it in so it won't cost you
anything.

P.S. - I pretty much buy everything there anymore. I even bought my
digital camera there. Got a really good deal. Canon SD600 for $207
shipped... but that wasn't the topic.
 
Alias said:
You could, however, replace the part or parts that died.

Alias
Click to expand...

Also the part about upgrading will change come Vista. With Vista you
will need to have a validated copy of the OS you are upgrading from
already installed so we should really compare Apples to Apples vs Apples
to Oranges here (OEM vs Retail Full rather than OEM vs Retail Upgrade).

OEM = Original Equipment Manufacturer. Designed to be pre-installed on
a computer. License is non-transferrable except in the event that the
motherboard requires replacement. Can only do a clean installation and
does not require a previous os. Typically costs about half of the price
of the Retail Full copy so tends to be a feasible alternative.

Retail Full = A regular off the shelf product. Can do both and upgrade
and clean install. Can be installed on one machine at a time. This
license is transferable between machines as long as it is removed from
the other machine. You end up paying the full expense here. $199 for
Home; $299 for Pro

Retail Upgrade = A regular off the shelf product. Can only do upgrades.
Clean installs are possible when presented with a cd for the version
you are upgrading from (XP and older only) Can be installed on one
machine at a time. This license is transferable between machines
however the license that you were upgrading from should be as well.
With XP and prior versions it was sufficient to present the CD to the
installer to have it continue with a clean install. Vista will require
the OS that you are upgrading from to be already installed on the
machine before doing so. Certain scenarios will however require a clean
install anyways so one is possible on Vista as long as the OS is
installed already. When upgrading from XP the copy must be activated
and validated.
 
Cookie said:
Someone (who is a stranger to me) is offering an OEM version of XP for
sale. If I get the serial number is there any way I can verify whether
or not this is a legitimate version and also be sure that it has not
been stolen or lost en route in the mail etc? If this is possible, on
the web or on the phone to MS any details you have would be
appreciated.
Thanx in advance.
Click to expand...

I would never purchase ANY software on eBay unless it didn't require
activation. Even then I would be very wary of who I am purchasing it from.
 
Robert said:
Stores like newegg work with that restriction.
Click to expand...

Not any more.
They require you to
purchase some sort of hardware along with the cd to satisfy the
requirement.
Click to expand...

Not any more.

Typically they will have you purchase some sort of
inexpensive item <$5 and actually bundle it in so it won't cost you
anything.
Click to expand...

Not any more.
P.S. - I pretty much buy everything there anymore. I even bought my
digital camera there. Got a really good deal. Canon SD600 for $207
shipped... but that wasn't the topic.
Click to expand...

I just bought a copy of a generic OEM XP Pro from NewEgg and it shipped
with no hardware or anything else for that matter. I had it shipped to a
friend in the States who mailed it to me.

I bought two generic OEM XPs in Spain back in 03 without any hardware as
that has never been a requirement in Spain. In fact no store sells
Retail XP, be it Home, Pro or Media Center. The only thing I have seen
is a Retail Upgrade Home at almost $USD300.

Alias
 
Robert said:
Also the part about upgrading will change come Vista. With Vista you
will need to have a validated copy of the OS you are upgrading from
already installed so we should really compare Apples to Apples vs
Apples to Oranges here (OEM vs Retail Full rather than OEM vs Retail
Upgrade).
Click to expand...


It's true that this is changing in WIndows Vista; however the question was
about Windows XP. I *am* compaing apples to apples, as long as I'm not
talking about Vista (which is entirely unrelated to this thread).
 
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