Is there such a thing as XP 64 bit Retail?

[Justin]

Obviously I can't get it from Microsoft, so I'm looking on ebay and
nobody seems to sell a 64 retail version.
Back in 2004 I bought a Retail version of XP Pro but it only came with
the 32 bit version.
At the time I didn't care but now I would like to mess around with the
64 bit version.
For various reasons I don't want to go to Vista for the moment. Please
don't turn this thread into a reasons to upgrade to Vista fest.

 

[Tinkers]

Hi Justin,

I believe the SP2 64-bit version is known as . . . Microsoft Windows XP
Professional x64 Edition w/SP2

Seen an OEM version at eBay for $152, but there are and several online
retailers peddling OEM version $130+

Good luck!

Tinkers

 

[John John (MVP)]

No, Windows XP 64-bit is only available through OEM channels, there is
no retail version.

John

 

[Thip]

Obviously I can't get it from Microsoft, so I'm looking on ebay and nobody
seems to sell a 64 retail version.
Back in 2004 I bought a Retail version of XP Pro but it only came with the
32 bit version.
At the time I didn't care but now I would like to mess around with the 64
bit version.
For various reasons I don't want to go to Vista for the moment. Please
don't turn this thread into a reasons to upgrade to Vista fest.

NewEgg has OEM only for $139.99. If you're going to buy it, //stay away
from eBay// and use a reputable dealer.

 

[Patrick Keenan]

Obviously I can't get it from Microsoft, so I'm looking on ebay and nobody
seems to sell a 64 retail version.
Back in 2004 I bought a Retail version of XP Pro but it only came with the
32 bit version.
At the time I didn't care but now I would like to mess around with the 64
bit version.
For various reasons I don't want to go to Vista for the moment. Please
don't turn this thread into a reasons to upgrade to Vista fest.

As I understand it, MS decided not to offer XP/64 as retail because of the
dearth of hardware support and lack of drivers. As OEM bulds require the
OEM builder to provide support, MS does not have to bear that cost. It's
the OEM builder's responsibility to provide compatible hardware and drivers.

So the short answer is no, AFAIK, there is no retail version of XP/64, only
OEM.

So if you need to use XP /64, you also need to do all the research to ensure
that you choose hardware that does have the correct drivers. The easiest
way to do that is probably by locating a used OEM XP/64 system.

HTH
-pk