I want to get rid of XP OEM and start fresh

[Lynne]

I have a Compaq Presario, with Win XP home, OEM preinstalled. Now that the 1
year warranty is finally up, I want to install the retail version of XP Home
and get rid of the presinstalled version.

My question, posed to Compaq tech support, was whether I can install the
upgrade, not full, retail version of XP Home over the existing OEM version
that came preinstalled on the computer. Compaq says NO, that I must purchase
the full version of XP Home.

Is this correct? And, if it is NOT correct, is there some place I can get
step-by-step instructions on how to install the upgrade version?

Thanks.

Lynne

 

[Mike Hall \(MS-MVP\)]

Lynne

It is not easy to see what you hope to gain by doing this, other than the
fact that you will have an official Windows CD..

 

[Lynne]

Be that as it may, it matters to me. I don't like the idea of having to
"restore" to the original setup should something go wrong. Compaq saw fit to
include a lot of stuff that I could care less about. It took me hours to get
rid of all of it. Now, I'd like to simply start fresh with my own version,
with my own disk.

Lynne

 

[Tom]

An OEM version is not official? Please elaborate, as I thought any legally
purchased versions of Windows are "official".

 

[Tom]

Do you have the OEM install disk (not a recovery disk)?

 

[Dwight Stewart]

(snip) My question, posed to Compaq tech support,
was whether I can install the upgrade, not full,
retail version of XP Home over the existing
OEM version that came preinstalled on the
computer. Compaq says NO, that I must purchase
the full version of XP Home.

Is this correct? (snip)

Very likely. The OEM version, preinstalled on computers by Compaq and most
other manufacturers, was purchased at a huge volume discount with some
limits built in. One of those limits is that it is not a full commercial
version that can be upgraded to newer operating systems (such as Win98 to
XP) using upgrade disks. Instead, those wanting to upgrade to new operating
systems must do so at their own expense by purchasing the full commercial
version of the newer operating system. With that in mind, I wonder why you
would want to do this anyway (install XP Home over the OEM version of XP
Home you already have). I just don't see any significant benefit from doing
so.

Stewart

 

[Michael Stevens]

In

Be that as it may, it matters to me. I don't like the idea of having
to "restore" to the original setup should something go wrong. Compaq
saw fit to include a lot of stuff that I could care less about. It
took me hours to get rid of all of it. Now, I'd like to simply start
fresh with my own version, with my own disk.

Lynne

With the upgrade version you would still have to do that unless you have an
unused qualifying Windows 95/98/Me to insert during XP setup. If you do not
have qualifying media, you would need to restore from the HP restore disks,
then > clean install.
You boot from the CD and do a clean install.
Click on or copy and paste the link below into your web browser address bar.
How to clean install XP.
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/cleanxpinstall.html
--
Michael Stevens MS-MVP XP
(e-mail address removed)
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com
For a better newsgroup experience. Setup a newsreader.
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/outlookexpressnewreader.htm

 

[Mike Hall \(MS-MVP\)]

An OEM recovery CD maybe?.. as opposed to an OEM CD bought with a piece of
hardware or retail version?

--
Mike Hall
MVP - Windows Shell/user

 

[Tom]

But, those are "official" versions right (as long as they come with the
certifiable documentation, e.g. COA label, etc)?

But I guess it needed to be pointed out that "qualifying" media is what she
needs.

 

[Mike Hall \(MS-MVP\)]

Tom

It means whatever you want it to mean.. I am not in the mood to split hairs
with anybody right about now.. perhaps you might want to ask the OP directly
as to whether she understood what point I was making.. whatever makes you
happy..

--
Mike Hall
MVP - Windows Shell/user

 

[Tom]

*Mike Hall MS-MVP, Hmm, gets testy, and refuses to explain what "Official"
versions mean to him*

Bottom line, whether you lack patience or not (wonder why you post here if
you possess those attributes), anything sold by MS to OEMs is "Official",
and in this context does not mean qualifying as I ask simply ask you what
"Official" was (too bad you cannot answer the question). Did I split your
last hair Mikey?

 

[Mike Hall \(MS-MVP\)]

Tom

If I didn't have patience, your name and ID would be in a message rule.. I
know that you consider yourself smart by questioning almost everything that
I or other MVPs say, but I consider behaviour like yours to be 'compulsive',
as probably will many other people..

And no, I am not going to explain anything to you just so that your ego can
take a boost.. if you are happy for the world and his dog to see you as a
'nitpicking' troll, then you are doing an excellent job..

For the record, you don't get me down at all.. your posts amuse me.. keep up
the good work.. as long as you keep making yourself look bad, the rest of us
can bask in your wake..


--
Mike Hall
MVP - Windows Shell/user

 

[John]

I have a Compaq Presario, with Win XP home, OEM preinstalled. Now that the 1
year warranty is finally up, I want to install the retail version of XP Home
and get rid of the presinstalled version.

My question, posed to Compaq tech support, was whether I can install the
upgrade, not full, retail version of XP Home over the existing OEM version
that came preinstalled on the computer. Compaq says NO, that I must purchase
the full version of XP Home.

Is this correct? And, if it is NOT correct, is there some place I can get
step-by-step instructions on how to install the upgrade version?

Thanks.

Lynne

You need an actual MS OS CD as qualifying media to install an upgrade
version of XP. Compaq's hard drive partition (or restore CD) won't do.
If you could talk Compaq into an OEM copy that would qualify but obviate
the need of an upgrade so don't hold your breath. You could look into a
discounted generic OEM XP CD purchased along with a case screw, mouse
pad or tube of heat sink goo. Or if you have a legit W98, W2K or NT4 CD
you could slick the drive and install that first then upgrade with XP.
In the end its business as usual: Caveat emptor.

John

 

[Horza]

Why look for Windows XP Home Edition when you could buy the
Professional version cheaper? I bought the Windows XP Professional SP1
bundled together with the Microsoft Office XP Professional SP2 for only
$90. I cannot remember the site that I bought it from, but you can find
lots of sites by typing "OEM Software" in your browser (include the quotes).

However, it appears that what you really want is a good backup program.
I never liked the "Recovery Solutions" CDs myself. I would recommend
the Acronis True Image Backup program. It captures your drive as it is when
you make your backup sector-by-sector and when you do a restore, it
completely destroys your drive and then restores it to where it was when you
made the backup. The drawback is that if you have made any important
changes since then, you will lose it, so the best thing to do is to make
sure to
keep your backups current.

 

[Kerry Brown]

I have a Compaq Presario, with Win XP home, OEM preinstalled. Now that the
1
year warranty is finally up, I want to install the retail version of XP
Home
and get rid of the presinstalled version.

My question, posed to Compaq tech support, was whether I can install the
upgrade, not full, retail version of XP Home over the existing OEM version
that came preinstalled on the computer. Compaq says NO, that I must
purchase
the full version of XP Home.

Is this correct? And, if it is NOT correct, is there some place I can get
step-by-step instructions on how to install the upgrade version?

Thanks.

Lynne

Lynne

When installing the XP Home upgrade it looks for a qualifying product.
Upgrading from XP Home OEM to XP Home Retail is not supported. See here:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;292607

You could delete the partition and do a clean install, during the
installation you will be asked to insert a qualifying media into a CD drive.
At this point if you have a Windows 98/Me CD put it into the drive and the
upgrade will proceed. If the 98/Me CD was from another computer this is
against the terms of Microsoft's EULA. Whether it is illegal, immoral,
unethical etc. is the subject of much debate.

You could also try one of the procedures at the following link:
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/XPrepairinstall.htm They may not work in
this case or they may end up doing a reinstall and you will have to
reinstall all your programs.

Please note doing a clean install will erase all your data. Back up any
needed data before trying any of these suggestions.

Kerry

 

[Lynne]

No, all I have is a partition on my hard drive that contains the OEM
installation. I have no disk other than the recovery disks I made when I
first set the system up.

 

[Lynne]

I failed to include several pieces of information in my original post.
Compaq gave me a flat no, that I have to purchase the full retail version of
XP home, that the upgrade retail version won't work, that it is not possible
to install the upgrade version, which makes no sense to me. Before I called
and spoke to Compaq, my game plan was to format my C drive (the one that has
OEM XP home on it), pop in the XP home (upgrade version) disk, insert the
Win9x cd when prompted for proof of ownership of a prior version of Windows.
But Compaq told me "no way, no how" so I posted to this group. I have legit,
no longer used copies of Windows 95 and 98. To an earlier responder to my
original post: no, I do not have an OEM XP disk - XP is preinstalled on a
separate partition on my hard drive. That's what I would have to restore
from should something happen. As to someone's post asking why I didn't buy a
copy of XP Pro, I've already purchased WinXP home ed., upgrade, retail
version - I got it two weeks ago at Best Buy - it will cost me $39.99 after
the rebate. I thought that was a pretty good deal. It looks like the post
from Kerry Brown has the information I was looking for - verifying that I
can format and do an clean installation from that point. That's what I was
trying to find out. Again, it just didn't make sense that Compaq would tell
me that there is no way I can install an upgrade version. Compaq made no
mention of formatting, having a prior version, etc. Their response led me to
post here, for verification, one way or the other on how to do what I want
to do. Thanks so much. Lynne

 

[Tom]

Michael Stevens has it right for you in what to do in your situation.

 

[Tom]

I personally do not care if you had me in your message filters, killfiles
are people who typically avoid seeing their words pointed out to them when
they are wrong or inconclusive with their words (as MPT does to so many,
when they point out to her, as she violates her own rules). I simply asked
you a question, if you don't want to explain it, that is perfectly fine and
I don't care; it shows your willingness to explain what this means to you as
you get festered over it, as well as shows your level of an MVP, IMHO.

Anyway, my second reponse was a legitmnate question, which was:

You then get testy with the "I'm not in the mood for splitting hairs"
thingie, LOL. Maybe you should give it up for a time, or take some strong
muscle relaxers before doing newsgroup readings and replies.

Note, my original questions were not nasty, nor were they posted to get a
rise, I would have asked any other the very same thing, had they posted in
the same manner.

 

[Kerry Brown]

I failed to include several pieces of information in my original post.
Compaq gave me a flat no, that I have to purchase the full retail version
of
XP home, that the upgrade retail version won't work, that it is not
possible
to install the upgrade version, which makes no sense to me. Before I
called
and spoke to Compaq, my game plan was to format my C drive (the one that
has
OEM XP home on it), pop in the XP home (upgrade version) disk, insert the
Win9x cd when prompted for proof of ownership of a prior version of
Windows.
But Compaq told me "no way, no how" so I posted to this group. I have
legit,
no longer used copies of Windows 95 and 98. To an earlier responder to my
original post: no, I do not have an OEM XP disk - XP is preinstalled on a
separate partition on my hard drive. That's what I would have to restore
from should something happen. As to someone's post asking why I didn't buy
a
copy of XP Pro, I've already purchased WinXP home ed., upgrade, retail
version - I got it two weeks ago at Best Buy - it will cost me $39.99
after
the rebate. I thought that was a pretty good deal. It looks like the post
from Kerry Brown has the information I was looking for - verifying that I
can format and do an clean installation from that point. That's what I was
trying to find out. Again, it just didn't make sense that Compaq would
tell
me that there is no way I can install an upgrade version. Compaq made no
mention of formatting, having a prior version, etc. Their response led me
to
post here, for verification, one way or the other on how to do what I want
to do. Thanks so much. Lynne

One of my friend's daughters used to work at a call centre that did Compaq
support. They have a binder with answers to questions. They are not allowed
to deviate from the scripts they are given. If your question doesn't fit any
of the pre-existing scenarios they are told to say no, you must run the
system restore to solve your problem. Their overriding concern was how long
the support person was on the phone. Solving the problem didn't enter into
the equation.

Kerry