Does the XP OEM say OEM right on the cd?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Markeau
  • Start date Start date
M

Markeau

I purchased what I thought was a full retail XPpro, but only got a CD
in a white sleeve. I hesitate to open it due to possible problems
returning it if it's the wrong item (and the store support line is
closed for the day).

All I can see thru the cellophane windows is the holographic: MS
Windows XP Professional, Version 2002, Includes SP1, PN x08-88354 ...
is this a real full version? Or is it OEM? They did not ship any
hardware with it so I guess it is not OEM.
 
You probably received an OEM version which is a "full version".
Unlike "retail versions", it cannot upgrade over an existing Windows
installation. It must be installed "clean" on a freshly reformatted
drive. Retail versions are shipped in a box.

Clean Install Windows XP
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/cleanxpinstall.html

[Courtesy of MS-MVP Michael Stevens]

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

Be Smart! Protect your PC!
http://www.microsoft.com/security/protect/

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


| I purchased what I thought was a full retail XPpro, but only got a CD
| in a white sleeve. I hesitate to open it due to possible problems
| returning it if it's the wrong item (and the store support line is
| closed for the day).
|
| All I can see thru the cellophane windows is the holographic: MS
| Windows XP Professional, Version 2002, Includes SP1, PN x08-88354 ...
| is this a real full version? Or is it OEM? They did not ship any
| hardware with it so I guess it is not OEM.
|
 
So look here:
http://www.bigclearance.com/productList.aspx?prodInfoId=9522

I ordered, and paid for, the first listed item - doesn't it look like
it is NOT supposed to be an OEM version?

Carey Frisch said:
You probably received an OEM version which is a "full version".
Unlike "retail versions", it cannot upgrade over an existing Windows
installation. It must be installed "clean" on a freshly reformatted
drive. Retail versions are shipped in a box.

Clean Install Windows XP
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/cleanxpinstall.html

[Courtesy of MS-MVP Michael Stevens]

I purchased what I thought was a full retail XPpro, but only got a CD
in a white sleeve. I hesitate to open it due to possible problems
returning it if it's the wrong item (and the store support line is
closed for the day).

All I can see thru the cellophane windows is the holographic: MS
Windows XP Professional, Version 2002, Includes SP1, PN x08-88354 ....
is this a real full version? Or is it OEM? They did not ship any
hardware with it so I guess it is not OEM.
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 
That website does not indicate whether it is a "retail version" or
an "OEM version". The "retail full version" generally costs
around $299. You cannot buy the retail full version for the price
you paid. Virtually all the websites offering "full versions" of
Windows XP are selling "OEM versions" and not "retail versions".

A web search of Part No. E85-00086 brings up only OEM versions
of Windows XP Pro.

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

Be Smart! Protect your PC!
http://www.microsoft.com/security/protect/

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


| So look here:
| http://www.bigclearance.com/productList.aspx?prodInfoId=9522
|
| I ordered, and paid for, the first listed item - doesn't it look like
| it is NOT supposed to be an OEM version?
 
Thanks for the help Carey. I purchased my last full retail XPpro for
about $240 about a year ago - it seemed the price may have come down
some since then. Anyway, I used that version 2 days ago to fully
install XPpro on another machine, expecting the new XPpro version to
arrive with a new activation key. Will this "Full OEM" version have
the activation key necessary to properly activate the Full Retail
XPpro I installed 2 days ago?
 
No, you cannot substitute an "OEM" product key when using
a "retail" installation CD. The only way to rectify the situation
is to perform a "repair install" using the OEM product key and
OEM CD.

How to Perform a Windows XP Repair Install
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/XPrepairinstall.htm

[Courtesy of MS-MVP Michael Stevens]

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

Be Smart! Protect your PC!
http://www.microsoft.com/security/protect/

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


| Thanks for the help Carey. I purchased my last full retail XPpro for
| about $240 about a year ago - it seemed the price may have come down
| some since then. Anyway, I used that version 2 days ago to fully
| install XPpro on another machine, expecting the new XPpro version to
| arrive with a new activation key. Will this "Full OEM" version have
| the activation key necessary to properly activate the Full Retail
| XPpro I installed 2 days ago?
 
Several places I've asked have said this is not an OEM version but
rather the full retail version without the box and manual.
 
Markeau said:
Several places I've asked have said this is not an OEM version but
rather the full retail version without the box and manual.
Click to expand...

Well, ask yourself this question to settle the matter: Were you able to do
an 'Upgrade" install? (that is, upgrade an existing installation of Windows)
If you were not, the CD is most definitely a "FULL OEM" version
 
Donald McDaniel said:
Well, ask yourself this question to settle the matter: Were you able
to do an 'Upgrade" install? (that is, upgrade an existing
installation of Windows) If you were not, the CD is most definitely
a "FULL OEM" version
Click to expand...

If you are willing to open the package, a quick way to be 100% sure is
to check the "Pid" value in the i386\setupp.ini file. If it ends with
"OEM", it is an OEM version. See
<http://www.thetechguide.com/howto/setuppini.html>.

- Pat
http://unattended.sourceforge.net/
 
Donald McDaniel said:
Well, ask yourself this question to settle the matter: Were you able
to do an 'Upgrade" install? (that is, upgrade an existing
installation of Windows) If you were not, the CD is most definitely a
"FULL OEM" version
Click to expand...

I did not want to risk opening the package and then not being able to
return it. I wanted the exact same retail version so I could be
assured that I can use that new key to properly license a 2nd install.
 
Can you see the Product Key?
Can you even see the sticker the product Key is located?
You have described OEM packaging.
If it is retail, the seller is possibly up to no good selling you an
incomplete product.
Sellers do not have the option of selling you an incomplete product,
no packaging is incomplete.

Plugging that # "E85-00086" at Google comes up with a lot that are
almost certainly OEM.
If you need retail, return this immediately.
If OEM will work, keep it but remember this is why you are saving
about $100.
 
No I could not see any key or sticker, presumably it was behind the
cd. Again, I got the first item listed at
http://www.bigclearance.com/productList.aspx?prodInfoId=9522 ... and
when I called they insisted it really is a retail version but without
the packaging. I did not want to risk it so I am returning it, and
they are shipping the retail box version (for $230 vs $180 for this
other one). Curiously, they do not list the retail box version on
their website.
 
Greetings --

Does the WinXP CD say "For distribution with a new PC only. For
product support, contact the manufacturer of your PC?" If so, you
have an OEM license.


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
 
It was the full retail version but just packaged differently. They
also have a full retail version that comes with just the cd and a slim
manual, no box. Neither are OEM versions.
 
If they say so??
I thought ALL retail had a box.
Just make sure when you get it.
 
I already got it and installed it. But before opening the sealed CD
package I called their customer support and made them open one of
theirs - no OEM anywhere, product key was on the usual yellow/orange
label.
 
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