confused: XP Home OEM System Builder CD

[Marty]

A friend's PC was crapping out on him. Problem looked to be software/OS. It
was WinME. I recommended that he put XP Home on it starting over with a
reformat.

I wanted him to have a legitimate copy, so we bought XP Home OEM 1 Pack from
Newegg. Upon receiving the package I became confused by the intimidating
envelope talking about System Builders and OPKs.

All I want to do is install this OS from scratch on the single PC we
purchased it for, and then Activate it and have it pass their stupid
validity check so he will be able to download updates from the Windows
Update site.

Will I be able to do his install using this CD? Can I boot from the CD and
delete/recreate the partition and reformat?

Will I need the OPK? If yes, will I need to register on their System
Builder/OEM site to get it?

Is there anything "missing" from the OS that is installed from the OEM CD?

Anything special I need to beware of?

THANKS,
-Marty

 

[AJR]

Marty - Reformatting should only be the "last ditch" effort in resolving a
problem - and no an automatic function.

Generally XP is available as a "retail" version that you would purchase from
Office Depot, OfficeMax. Staples, etc. - the other optional can be "OEM" -
available from "other distributors" (and E-Bay). OEMs (Original Equipment
Manufacturer) obtain these versions from Microsoft for inclusion with their
systems (Microsoft uses the term "System Builders"). The OEM version,
usually accompanied by a pieces of "equipment", is usually at a reduced
price.

The downside is that Microsoft does not provide support - they refer you to
the manufacturer.

If you format the drive a clean install is required meaning an "upgrade" XP
Home version will not work - full version required.
If you have not formatted the drive - go ahead and install - if you have
formatted the drive - if you still have the original ME CD (and an old 95 0r
98 CD available) you can reinstall ME and upgrade to XP.
Whew! long post - you may get other replies - luck!!

 

[Conor]

Is there anything "missing" from the OS that is installed from the OEM CD?

You're not going to end up with a legal copy as the OEM version is only
licenced for new systems.

It WILL install OK the same as you would from any other XP installation
CD but you have to be aware that it isn't 100% pukka.

 

[John John]

You can install an upgrade edition of Windows XP (any versuion) on a
formated hard drive as long as you have proof of ownership of a
qualifying product. Proof of ownership would be a cd from another
operating system, during the install process you will simply be asked to
insert the cd in the drive so that the setup program can continue the
installation. You DON'T need to install a previous operating system
just to then upgrade it to Windows XP. As for the OEM version that the
original poster asked about, it is a legitimate product and he can
install it without any problems, with the Microsoft support limitations
as you stated.

John

 

[John John]

That is not true. Microsoft has greatly reduced the restrictions on
qualifying OEM hardware and if you buy an OEM version from a reputable
vendor they will advise you of the "qualifying" hardware requirement.

John

 

[Marty]

Thanks, John.

IMHO, M$ has really taken something very simple and made it incredibly
complex to the point where an experienced (but not full-time M$) computer
person cannot even comply with their requirements when sincerely trying to
do so.

I have been buying "OEM" hardware for years, which always meant I didn't
need the box and booklet and other non-essential things in the "retail"
pack. Now M$ have redefined OEM so only a lawyer can understand it.

From reading today, I was under the impression that if I had assembled this
PC from parts laying around, I could still be considered a "System Builder"
and could install the OEM version. But, if I understand Conor correctly, the
exact same pile of hardware cannot legally use the OEM version because it
had been running ME previously. If I were to take the whole thing apart and
put it back together it would be a "new system" again and the OEM OS would
then be legal.

When I went to M$ OEM site to try to read about this, they required you to
register in order to see the documents. Screw them.

This is ridiculous and Bill Gates and his whole company should be ashamed.

-Marty