New Computer Build, OS question

[Azaran2003]

Hey all, been helping a friend build a new computer system (had a post ealier
about that, $1000 to build new comptuer). Since she's trying to get the most
for her buck I was wondering about Licenses with XP.
I realise this is a bit off topic but when I tried posting in the windows
newsgroup... well lets just say most people that responded were less than
helpful.

The question is, if my friend was to buy a new OEM XP license (there are a
number of vendors on pricewatch) would I then be able to use my existing OEM XP
CD to load windows and still have everything on the up and up? I'm trying to
convince her not go the cracked XP route and still work in her budget.

Thanks to any that reply
~A

 

[Miss Perspicacia Tick]

Hey all, been helping a friend build a new computer system (had a
post ealier about that, $1000 to build new comptuer). Since she's
trying to get the most for her buck I was wondering about Licenses
with XP.
I realise this is a bit off topic but when I tried posting in the
windows newsgroup... well lets just say most people that responded
were less than helpful.

The question is, if my friend was to buy a new OEM XP license (there
are a number of vendors on pricewatch) would I then be able to use my
existing OEM XP CD to load windows and still have everything on the
up and up? I'm trying to convince her not go the cracked XP route and
still work in her budget.

Thanks to any that reply
~A

You posted to alt.os.windows-xp, they are all morons in there, I'm afraid. I
am also afraid that what you wish to do isn't possible as keys are tied to
specific licence versions and you cannot purchase an OEM XP licence (I'm
afraid that those vendors on PW aren't legal). MS doesn't sell OEM keys,
either. She will need to purchase her own licence complete with CD and COA.
If you require more information suggest you post to the /proper/ XP groups -
I suggest news://microsoft.public.windowsxp.general. You'll get the proper
response there.

I have reviewed the sellers on PW and I can tell you categorically they are
*NOT* legal. An OEM licence requires three things to be considered legit.

1) A disc
2) A COA with the PIK
3) To be sold with an item of non-peripheral hardware, or a system.

If any of the above are missng, then it is *NOT LEGAL*.

Also, if your disc came with your system, it cannot be used on any other. I
will quote you the relevant paragraph from the OEM EULA

"* Software as a Component of the Computer - Transfer. THIS
LICENSE MAY NOT BE SHARED, TRANSFERRED TO OR
USED CONCURRENTLY ON DIFFERENT COMPUTERS.
The SOFTWARE is licensed with the COMPUTER as a single
integrated product and may only be used with the COMPUTER. If
the SOFTWARE is not accompanied by HARDWARE, you may not use
the SOFTWARE. You may permanently transfer all of your rights
under this EULA only as part of a permanent sale or transfer
of the COMPUTER, provided you retain no copies, if you
transfer the SOFTWARE (including all component parts, the
media, any upgrades, this EULA and the Certificate of
Authenticity), and the recipient agrees to the terms of this
EULA. If the SOFTWARE is an upgrade, any transfer must also
include all prior versions of the SOFTWARE."

You cannot purchase additional licences for an OEM version - and PKs aren't
interchangeable (the PK for a retail version will not work with an OEM and
vice versa).

Sorry, but the answer is no.

 

[Schism]

Hey all, been helping a friend build a new computer system (had a post
ealier
about that, $1000 to build new comptuer). Since she's trying to get the
most
for her buck I was wondering about Licenses with XP.
I realise this is a bit off topic but when I tried posting in the windows
newsgroup... well lets just say most people that responded were less than
helpful.

The question is, if my friend was to buy a new OEM XP license (there are a
number of vendors on pricewatch) would I then be able to use my existing
OEM XP
CD to load windows and still have everything on the up and up? I'm trying
to
convince her not go the cracked XP route and still work in her budget.

I went the cracked XP route... but she could always go with linux if she has
any kind of moral objections =D

 

[Azaran2003]

Bugger, I was afraid that was the case with the licenses. I always get mine OEM
but usualy when I'm buying a new OS I'm also buying new hardware so its never
been an issue. As for the linux idea... dear god no. As it is I've done all the
research on this since she has no clue as to how to go about it (she's
switching from an iBook to pc's) I'll tell her about the OEM issue.

Thanks
~A
Oh and thanks Perpicacia, saddly yeah those people in that newsgroup seem to
have the collective IQ of a rock and the personalties to match, so thanks for
the advice on groups.

 

[CBFalconer]

Hey all, been helping a friend build a new computer system (had
a post ealier about that, $1000 to build new comptuer). Since
she's trying to get the most for her buck I was wondering about
Licenses with XP. I realise this is a bit off topic but when I
tried posting in the windows newsgroup... well lets just say
most people that responded were less than helpful.

The question is, if my friend was to buy a new OEM XP license
(there are a number of vendors on pricewatch) would I then be
able to use my existing OEM XP CD to load windows and still
have everything on the up and up? I'm trying to convince her
not go the cracked XP route and still work in her budget.

The answer is simple. Get a suitable installation of Linux. You
can usually find a complete precooked system with CDs, manual, and
source for $50 or so. You can get them free if you are willing to
spend the time downloading. Then install it on as many machines
as you like, with no worries whatsoever about legality. Also it
will totally avoid Microsoft snooping in your machine, with the
right to do any harm it wishes, and censor what you may or may not
run on it. It will also be much more secure against viruses etc.

 

[Matt]

The answer is simple. Get a suitable installation of Linux.

In two years the answer will be simple. For now it depends on whether
the intended application(s) are available on Linux. You didn't ask what
the system is to be used for.

 

[Azaran2003]

Yeah unfortinatly right now Linux isnt an option. While I'll admit to not
knowing much about working with it, theres no way I wanna try and teach her
that.

She's not a hardcore computer person, she just wanted to build a machine that
she could do graphics and games on. And yes I know Linux can be a a great OS,
but I also know it takes more work than she'd be willing to deal with. Heres a
question, can Linux even run Photoshop?

~A

 

[General Schvantzkoph]

Bugger, I was afraid that was the case with the licenses. I always get mine OEM
but usualy when I'm buying a new OS I'm also buying new hardware so its never
been an issue. As for the linux idea... dear god no. As it is I've done all the
research on this since she has no clue as to how to go about it (she's
switching from an iBook to pc's) I'll tell her about the OEM issue.

Thanks
~A
Oh and thanks Perpicacia, saddly yeah those people in that newsgroup seem to
have the collective IQ of a rock and the personalties to match, so thanks for
the advice on groups.

You can buy an OEM XP license with any piece of hardware, an ethernet
cable qualifies. I use Linux but I do own one OEM copy of Win2K which I
use for diagnostic purposes, I bought it along with a $5 cable.

 

[Miss Perspicacia Tick]

Yeah unfortinatly right now Linux isnt an option. While I'll admit to
not knowing much about working with it, theres no way I wanna try and
teach her that.

She's not a hardcore computer person, she just wanted to build a
machine that she could do graphics and games on. And yes I know Linux
can be a a great OS, but I also know it takes more work than she'd be
willing to deal with. Heres a question, can Linux even run Photoshop?

~A

No. No Adobe application will run under Linux - not even with CrossOver or
WINE.

 

[Azaran2003]

No. No Adobe application will run under Linux - not even with CrossOver or

WINE.

Well that pretty much closes the option of Linux. No photoshop, no go.

 

[General Schvantzkoph]

Well that pretty much closes the option of Linux. No photoshop, no go.

You have the GIMP available under Linux. It's also available for Windows
and the Mac so you could give it a try and see if it meets your needs.

 

[DaveW]

No. She has to purchase her own OEM version of XP.

DaveW

 

[Azaran2003]

Sorry, I've tried Gimp.. its really not a substitute for photoshop.

Thanks again everyone for your help. I'll just advise her to pick up an OEM
disk when she buys her compoants and hope she doesnt go the Cracked route.

~A

 

[General Schvantzkoph]

Sorry, I've tried Gimp.. its really not a substitute for photoshop.

Thanks again everyone for your help. I'll just advise her to pick up an OEM
disk when she buys her compoants and hope she doesnt go the Cracked route.

~A

If you are building a box to run Windows I'd seriously look at getting an
HP or a Dell. The margins are pretty thin on consumer grade machines and
the economies of scale enjoyed by the majors is huge. They also bundle in
a lot of Windows software which is a good value if you actually use
Windows. Linux users can save a lot by going with a white box or building
their own because any money spent on Windows and Windows applications is
money down the toilet, but Windows users have to pay for XP and Office
anyway so you might as well get it bundled in with a Dell or an HP.

 

[Azaran2003]

I did recomend that to her. She's pretty set on building her own. The software
she'd need (other than Windows and Word, and for that she can use Open Office)
isnt anything that would be included in a Dell. And after specing it out, since
her friends are buying her a good monitor, the price difference is pretty much
none. She's going high end, so the midmarket celerons on 256megs of ram just
wont cut it.And Highend in Dell (and others) shoots through up and can cost
more.

~A

 

[General Schvantzkoph]

I did recomend that to her. She's pretty set on building her own. The software
she'd need (other than Windows and Word, and for that she can use Open Office)
isnt anything that would be included in a Dell. And after specing it out, since
her friends are buying her a good monitor, the price difference is pretty much
none. She's going high end, so the midmarket celerons on 256megs of ram just
wont cut it.And Highend in Dell (and others) shoots through up and can cost
more.

~A

If by high end you mean dual processor machines then I agree you can save
a lot with a white box or build your own. You can save a couple of
thousand dollars over a Dell. However if you are talking about a P4 or an
Athlon 64 then there isn't any savings available. If you want to choose
custom components then a lot of the online stores like Monarch, Atacom,
Accubyte, will let you configure a completely custom machine including a
copy of XP. The assembly charge for those machines is pretty modest so
that might be your best option.

 

[Charles]

On 30 Aug 2004 23:53:52 GMT, (e-mail address removed) (Azaran2003) wrote:

I strongly recommend a copy of Win XP Home Edition (OEM). Most places
will sell you this if you buy just one thumb screw. My favorite site
for hardware is

www.newegg.com

If she likes Linux for Internet use, I have found that SUSE is a nice
operating system that has a good install system that can get along
with windows in a dual boot environment. I installed it on a XP box
and it even resized the partitions.

 

[Boba & Ilinka]

Same big companies do not support Linux. I couldn't fined driver for HP LJ
1000. Everything else worked fine.

Boba Vancouver BC

 

[patrick]

Same big companies do not support Linux. I couldn't fined driver for HP LJ
1000. Everything else worked fine.

Boba Vancouver BC

Check out the 'support drivers' through the running of the resources in
any of these 190+ liveCDs! Let it boot up, and then, save the
configuration <50kb that will let you start any GNU/Linux distro with
full resources!
http://www.frozentech.com/content/livecd.php