newest version of windows xp pro?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Guest
  • Start date Start date
G

Guest

i want to purchase the latest & greatest xp pro for my computer (I currently
have xp home). A friend just bought a new computer which runs XP Pro Version
2002 ~ would that be the newest version?

Also, another question about Windows.... I bought my computer a little over
a year ago, and received my original windows cd with it (which I've used
several times to install additional features, and in one case I had to
re=install windows. Everyone I know lately who has bought a new computer gets
the windows "pre-installed" and they don't receive their very own windows cd.
My friend who I mentioned above got a COA in case he ever needs it, but no
cd. That just seems odd to me ~ is that the new way windows is being
distributed?
 
DonnaR said:
i want to purchase the latest & greatest xp pro for my computer (I
currently
have xp home). A friend just bought a new computer which runs XP Pro
Version
2002 ~ would that be the newest version?
Click to expand...

No such thing. You may be referring to Windows XP Pro SP2....service pack 2.
That's the latest.
Also, another question about Windows.... I bought my computer a little
over
a year ago, and received my original windows cd with it (which I've used
several times to install additional features, and in one case I had to
re=install windows. Everyone I know lately who has bought a new computer
gets
the windows "pre-installed" and they don't receive their very own windows
cd.
My friend who I mentioned above got a COA in case he ever needs it, but no
cd. That just seems odd to me ~ is that the new way windows is being
distributed?
Click to expand...

Depends on the hardware manufacturer who bundled the OS. This is called
OEM - and it's cheaper for a reason. Some companies may provide a CD, some
may provide the installation media on a recovery partition on the hard
drive, some may let you get a CD for a price, some may tell you to go pound
sand, some may not even answer your pleas for help. It all depends.
 
Hi,

The only difference there is from the original release is the addition
of a Service Pack. For the latest, look or WindowsXP with Service Pack
2.

Most new systems shipped today do not come with a CD. The OS files are
normally located on the hard drive in a recovery partition.
 
DonnaR said:
i want to purchase the latest & greatest xp pro for my computer (I
currently have xp home). A friend just bought a new computer which
runs XP Pro Version 2002 ~ would that be the newest version?
Click to expand...


There has only been a single version. There have been two service packs for
it and the latest is called Service Pack 2 . If you buy a copy without SP2
(unlikely now) you can always download SP2 or order it on a CD for free from
Microsoft.

But are you sure you need XP Professional? Home may be just as good for you.
XP Professional and XP Home are exactly the same in all respects, except
that Professional has a few features (mostly related to networking and
security) missing from Home. For most (but not all) home users, even those
with a home network, these features aren't needed, would never be used, and
buying Professional instead of Home is a waste of money.


For details go to

http://www.winsupersite.com/showcase/windowsxp_home_pro.asp

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/whichxp.asp

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/home/howtobuy/choosing2.asp

Also note that Professional allows ten concurrent network connections, and
Home only five.


Also, another question about Windows.... I bought my computer a
little over a year ago, and received my original windows cd with it
(which I've used several times to install additional features, and in
one case I had to re=install windows. Everyone I know lately who has
bought a new computer gets the windows "pre-installed" and they don't
receive their very own windows cd. My friend who I mentioned above
got a COA in case he ever needs it, but no cd. That just seems odd to
me ~ is that the new way windows is being distributed?
Click to expand...

No. You can buy Windows in a retail version (either Full or Upgrade), on a
CD, and you can buy Windows in an OEM Version, also on a CD. The OEM version
is less expensive, but comes with several restrictions, the most significant
of which is that, once installed, it can never be moved to another computer.

If you buy a computer that comes with XP pre-installed, that's also an OEM
version, but the situation is slightly different. OEM vendors are required
by their agreement with Microsoft to give you a means of reinstalling,
should it be necessary. They can do this in one of three ways:

1.. An OEM copy of Windows

2. A restore CD

3. A hidden partition on your drive, with restore information

Personally, I find both 2 and 3 unacceptable (especially 3; a hard drive
crash can leave you with nothing), and would never choose to buy a computer
that came with an operating system unless I got a complete generic
installation CD for that operating system.
 
Back
Top