OEM VERSIONs

[bob]

I see all these OEM VERSIONs of windows xp on ebay, and they're cheaper
than the regular ones. Will they work on all computers?

Should I buy an OEM VERSION or pay 30 bucks more for the regular one?

Thanks.

 

[Michael Stevens]

In

I see all these OEM VERSIONs of windows xp on ebay, and they're
cheaper than the regular ones. Will they work on all computers?

Should I buy an OEM VERSION or pay 30 bucks more for the regular one?

Thanks.

OEM
#17 on the FAQ list
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/xpfaq.html#17
--
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

 

[R. McCarty]

I'd just spend the $30 and get the Retail copy.

(Have hacksaw available to remove plastic shroud that the
box is sealed in. Watch out for the sharp,jagged edges when
trying to wedge the box out.)
Every time I open one, I'm reminded of the Samsonite
commercial where the Gorilla slammed the suitcase around.

 

[Carey Frisch [MVP]]

The only legitimate OEM versions of Windows XP
come in a sealed, shrink-wrapped package that includes
a Certificate of Authenticity, Product Key, a Genuine
Microsoft Windows XP CD with a holographic image,
and proper Microsoft OEM documentation.

Example:

Microsoft Windows XP Home With SP2 - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16837102059

If you find that an eBay seller is offering an OEM version
of Windows XP at a very low price, chances are it is not
Genuine and will not activate on your computer, thus
leaving you with nothing more than a nice CD "coaster".

You know the 'ol sayings.... "Buyer Beware!" and "Ya get what ya pay for!"

--
Carey Frisch
Microsoft MVP
Windows Shell/User

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|I see all these OEM VERSIONs of windows xp on ebay, and they're cheaper
| than the regular ones. Will they work on all computers?
|
| Should I buy an OEM VERSION or pay 30 bucks more for the regular one?
|
| Thanks.
|

 

[Rick \Nutcase\ Rogers]

Hi,

A generic OEM version is not much different than a regular retail one. It's
the licensing that is different. It generally must be sold with a piece of
hardware, and the real kicker is that it cannot be migrated to newer
hardware. Meaning that if the machine you install and activate it on dies,
so does your license to use that OEM version. If you get (or build) a new
system, you need to get a new OEM version for it, so you end up spending a
lot more. This does not include minor hardware changes/additions/upgrades
(except for the motherboard, which is considered the "heart" of the system).

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP

Windows help - www.rickrogers.org

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

I see all these OEM VERSIONs of windows xp on ebay, and they're
cheaper than the regular ones. Will they work on all computers?

The OEM version can only legally be sold with hardware, although these days,
any piece of hardware, even a power cord, qualifies. Although if you get a
complete generic OEM version, it contains the same software, it has the
following disadvantages as compared with the retail version:

1. Its license ties it permanently to the first computer it's installed on.
It can never legally be moved to another computer, sold, or given away. This
is to me its biggest disadvantage, and is one of the main reasons it's
cheaper.

2. It can only do a clean installation, not an upgrade.

3. Microsoft provides no support for OEM versions. You can't call them with
a problem, but instead have to get any needed support from your OEM; that
support may range anywhere between good and non-existent. Or you can get
support elsewhere, such as in these newsgroups.

Should I buy an OEM VERSION or pay 30 bucks more for the regular one?

The other issue you face with buying this on eBay is the substantial risk of
getting either nothing at all, or a pirated version that won't activate.
Personally, I wouldn't risk it. I would buy a Retail Upgrade copy instead.

 

[God]

Don't listen to this idiot, he has no concept of the legalities of windows
use.

 

[Gordon]

Don't listen to this idiot, he has no concept of the legalities of
windows use.

"Carey Frisch [MVP]"

And he's NOT in the current MVP Windows/Shell user list at Microsoft either.

 

[Guest]

Yes I am...I just looked. I guess you can't
see my information because I chose to keep
it private and not subject to public viewing.

Boy, that $365 million PowerBall JackPot
is going to be awesome!

 

[Bruce Chambers]

I see all these OEM VERSIONs of windows xp on ebay, and they're cheaper
than the regular ones. Will they work on all computers?

If they're unbranded, generic OEM CDs, such as are sold to licensed
systems builders, yes. If they're branded to a specific make/model PC,
then that's likely the only computer on which they'll install. (Of
course, such branded OEM CDs can be sold legitimately *only* if they
come "wrapped" in the original PC with which the seller acquired them.)

Should I buy an OEM VERSION or pay 30 bucks more for the regular one?

Personally, I'd pay the higher price, just for the assurance that I was
getting a legitimate license. One should be very careful buying any
software on eBay, as eBay makes no prior effort to ensure that such
sales are legitimate; they react only when someone files a complaint.
(And then all that really happens is the seller of the pirated software
returns using a different alias, to continue selling illegitimate licenses.)


--

Bruce Chambers

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