Cheap OS software for real?

[jtsnow]

I see things like Windows 2000 or XP for $50. I would like to replace the
OS on a old Dell PII latitude company laptop I have with a fresh install
(there is nothing I need to keep). Is that stuff for real or is there some
hidden gimmick there like wont let me use it after 30 days or something like
that. I see it on Ebay and here is url too. Any tips appreciated.



http://fansoft.info/os/win2000.html

 

[Alias]

|I see things like Windows 2000 or XP for $50. I would like to replace the
| OS on a old Dell PII latitude company laptop I have with a fresh install
| (there is nothing I need to keep). Is that stuff for real or is there
some
| hidden gimmick there like wont let me use it after 30 days or something
like
| that. I see it on Ebay and here is url too. Any tips appreciated.
|
|
|
| http://fansoft.info/os/win2000.html

It's not for real.
--
Alias

Use the Reply to Sender feature of your news reader program to email me.
Utiliza Responder al Remitente para mandarme un mail.
|
|

 

[Carey Frisch [MVP]]

Stay away from bogus web sites that claim to sell
software at "too good to be true" prices. You'll be
very sorry! Only purchase software locally or from
a proven, reputable web site. Example:

You can get a good price for an OEM version
of Windows XP Professional here:
http://www.newegg.com/app/viewproductdesc.asp?description=37-102-153&DEPA=6

--
Carey Frisch
Microsoft MVP
Windows XP - Shell/User

Be Smart! Protect Your PC!
http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/protect/default.aspx

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

:

| I see things like Windows 2000 or XP for $50. I would like to replace the
| OS on a old Dell PII latitude company laptop I have with a fresh install
| (there is nothing I need to keep). Is that stuff for real or is there some
| hidden gimmick there like wont let me use it after 30 days or something like
| that. I see it on Ebay and here is url too. Any tips appreciated.

 

[Shenan Stanley]

Please cross-post instead of multi-posting in the future.

I see things like Windows 2000 or XP for $50. I would like to replace the
OS on a old Dell PII latitude company laptop I have with a fresh install
(there is nothing I need to keep). Is that stuff for real or is there some
hidden gimmick there like wont let me use it after 30 days or something
like that. I see it on Ebay and here is url too. Any tips appreciated.

OEM software - so support from Microsoft and buying over ebay - hard to tell
if it is legit or not.

ie: Sounds too good to be true, probably is.

(Did you even bother to read the FAQ for the web page you sent?)
( http://fansoft.info/faq.html )

 

[Carey Frisch [MVP]]

Don't be a Sucker!

How to Spot and Avoid Software Piracy and Scams
http://graphicssoft.about.com/cs/faq/a/softwarescams.htm

--
Carey Frisch
Microsoft MVP
Windows XP - Shell/User

Be Smart! Protect Your PC!
http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/protect/default.aspx

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

:

| I see things like Windows 2000 or XP for $50. I would like to replace the
| OS on a old Dell PII latitude company laptop I have with a fresh install
| (there is nothing I need to keep). Is that stuff for real or is there some
| hidden gimmick there like wont let me use it after 30 days or something like
| that. I see it on Ebay and here is url too. Any tips appreciated.

 

[Terry Liittschwager]

You can get a good price for an OEM version
of Windows XP Professional here:
http://www.newegg.com/app/viewproductdesc.asp?description=37-102-153&DEPA=6

What is the difference between a WinXP OEM purchased at someplace like
the above and a "regular" WinXP purchased from Microsoft. Is it just
a matter of support?

Thanks in advance,

Terry Liittschwager

 

[Shenan Stanley]

You can get a good price for an OEM version
of Windows XP Professional here:
http://www.newegg.com/app/viewproductdesc.asp?description=37-102-153&DEPA=6

What is the difference between a WinXP OEM purchased at someplace like
the above and a "regular" WinXP purchased from Microsoft. Is it just
a matter of support?

From a simple search:

[Carey's own answer:]
OEM versions of Windows XP:

-- cannot upgrade over an existing Windows installation
-- cannot be transferred to a different computer in the future
-- the license cannot be sold or transferred to another user
-- are not eligible for free Microsoft technical support
-- must be purchased with some type of computer hardware
-- any problems whatsoever with the installation CD or Product Key
is not eligible for Microsoft support....you have to deal with the "seller".
-- cost less than "retail versions" due to the above limitations/risks

Should you purchase an OEM license version of XP?
http://www.tek-tips.com/gfaqs.cfm/pid/779/fid/4004

Other than the above noted exceptions, an OEM version of Windows XP
does not operationally differ from a "retail version".
[Carey's own answer:]

 

[Carey Frisch [MVP]]

Any OEM version of Windows XP does not come with
any free Microsoft technical support. If you purchase
Windows XP directly from Microsoft, it will be a
"Retail Version" that includes free technical (2 incidents)
and installation support.

OEM versions of Windows XP:

-- cannot upgrade over an existing Windows installation
-- cannot be transferred to a different computer in the futu­re
-- the license cannot be sold or transferred to another user
-- are not eligible for free Microsoft technical support
-- cost less than "retail versions" due to the above limitat­ions

Retail versions of Windows XP:

-- can upgrade over an existing Windows installation
-- can be transferred to a different computer in the future
-- the license can be sold or transferred to another user
-- are eligible for free Microsoft technical support
-- cost more than "OEM versions" due to the above capabiliti­es

--
Carey Frisch
Microsoft MVP
Windows XP - Shell/User

Be Smart! Protect Your PC!
http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/protect/default.aspx

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

:
|
| What is the difference between a WinXP OEM purchased at someplace like
| the above and a "regular" WinXP purchased from Microsoft. Is it just
| a matter of support?
|
| Thanks in advance,
|
| Terry Liittschwager

 

[Bruce Chambers]

I see things like Windows 2000 or XP for $50. I would like to replace the
OS on a old Dell PII latitude company laptop I have with a fresh install
(there is nothing I need to keep). Is that stuff for real or is there some
hidden gimmick there like wont let me use it after 30 days or something like
that. I see it on Ebay and here is url too. Any tips appreciated.



http://fansoft.info/os/win2000.html

Actually, if you were to clicked the links provided and then read
the site's self-contradictory,broken English "FAQ," you'd probably
have known it was a scam. Full OEM CDs that are full retail versions
that are legal as backup media? Shipped from eastern Europe? All CDs
shipped with the serial number included in a text file? Definitely
not legitimate CDs.

Those people who have reported back here after making purchases
from several of such web sites have indicated that what they actually
received was a copy of the widely-known-to-be-pirated Volume Licensed
version of WinXP Pro. They couldn't even install SP1 without being
informed that the had an invalid Product Key. And then there were the
mysterious charges that started appearing on some of their credit cards....

Additionally, be very careful buying any software on eBay, as eBay
makes no prior effort to ensure that such sales are legitimate; they
react only after someone has been ripped off and files a complaint.

How to Spot and Avoid Software Piracy and Scams
http://graphicssoft.about.com/cs/faq/a/softwarescams.htm


--

Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:



You can have peace. Or you can have freedom. Don't ever count on having
both at once. - RAH

 

[Bruce Chambers]

What is the difference between a WinXP OEM purchased at someplace like
the above and a "regular" WinXP purchased from Microsoft. Is it just
a matter of support?

No, Microsoft doesn't provide support for any OEM license, regardless
of the vendor. The difference is that the site specified by the OP
isn't selling legitimate licenses, at all. It's a scam.

--

Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:



You can have peace. Or you can have freedom. Don't ever count on having
both at once. - RAH

 

[Miss Perspicacia Tick]

Actually, if you were to clicked the links provided and then read
the site's self-contradictory,broken English "FAQ," you'd probably
have known it was a scam. Full OEM CDs that are full retail versions
that are legal as backup media? Shipped from eastern Europe? All CDs
shipped with the serial number included in a text file? Definitely
not legitimate CDs.

Those people who have reported back here after making purchases
from several of such web sites have indicated that what they actually
received was a copy of the widely-known-to-be-pirated Volume Licensed
version of WinXP Pro. They couldn't even install SP1 without being
informed that the had an invalid Product Key. And then there were the
mysterious charges that started appearing on some of their credit
cards....
Additionally, be very careful buying any software on eBay, as eBay
makes no prior effort to ensure that such sales are legitimate; they
react only after someone has been ripped off and files a complaint.

And very often not even then. Let me tell you a tale. Eighteen months ago, I
paid £200 for a "fully licensed retail version" of Photoshop 7. The seller
had 5000+ positive feedback and I took that to be a guarantee that I would
be receiving legitimate software - I received a CD-R in a plastic wallet,
with a 1118 installation key (in case you didn't know 1118 keys are the
Adobe equivalent of the FCKGW key). I complained to the seller - no
response. After six weeks, and umpteen emails (and texts) I left negative
feedback and said I'd been ripped off (because, obviously, I had). He
retaliated, calling me a liar, and that the product he sent me was legit. I
contacted eBay and got nothing but automatic responses (unfortunately,
unlike the US, eBay UK has no contact phone number). I eventually went to
Square Trade and they sent him a nasty letter and he refunded my money.

 

[James Coulter]

Retail versions of Windows XP:

-- can upgrade over an existing Windows installation
-- can be transferred to a different computer in the future
-- the license can be sold or transferred to another user
-- are eligible for free Microsoft technical support
-- cost more than "OEM versions" due to the above capabiliti­es

Does this include the retail upgrade versions?

 

[Ken Blake]

In

Does this include the retail upgrade versions?

With the exception of the last point, yes. Depending on where you
get it it, an Upgrade version usually costs around the same as an
OEM version.