OEM Windows XP purchased at shows

  • Thread starter Thread starter WIRED
  • Start date Start date
W

WIRED

Many vendors sell OEM versions of Windows XP Pro at these shows at discount
rates. Is this something to stay away from, or is it completely legit?
 
You should only consider purchasing a
genuine Microsoft OEM version if it is packaged properly.

Example:

Microsoft Windows XP Professional With Service Pack 2 - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16837102062

Also note that OEM versions can only be installed
on a newly reformatted drive and also cannot be
transferred to a different computer in the future.

--
Carey Frisch
Microsoft MVP
Windows - Shell/User
Microsoft Community Newsgroups
news://msnews.microsoft.com/

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

:

| Many vendors sell OEM versions of Windows XP Pro at these shows at discount
| rates. Is this something to stay away from, or is it completely legit?
 
WIRED said:
Many vendors sell OEM versions of Windows XP Pro at these shows at discount
rates. Is this something to stay away from, or is it completely legit?
Click to expand...


That will likely depend upon the integrity of each individual vendor.
If the CD is in the original shrink-wrapped packaging, is accompanied by
the correct documentation, Certificate of Authenticity, a label bearing
the Product Key, and a working non-peripheral PC component, than it's
likely to be a legitimate license. Otherwise, it's probably not
legitimate. If it's a branded OEM CD, it'll be legitimate only if
accompanied by the entire PC.


--

Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:



You can have peace. Or you can have freedom. Don't ever count on having
both at once. - RAH
 
Thank you


Bruce Chambers said:
That will likely depend upon the integrity of each individual vendor. If
the CD is in the original shrink-wrapped packaging, is accompanied by the
correct documentation, Certificate of Authenticity, a label bearing the
Product Key, and a working non-peripheral PC component, than it's likely
to be a legitimate license. Otherwise, it's probably not legitimate. If
it's a branded OEM CD, it'll be legitimate only if accompanied by the
entire PC.


--

Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:



You can have peace. Or you can have freedom. Don't ever count on having
both at once. - RAH
Click to expand...
 
In
WIRED said:
Many vendors sell OEM versions of Windows XP Pro at these shows at
discount rates. Is this something to stay away from, or is it
completely legit?
Click to expand...

Check the packaging carefully and if the price seems too good to be true, it
is probably counterfeit.
Also make sure you get a receipt and business card. None of which can
guarantee you will get any compensation if the XP is not legit, but it may
help.

--
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
 
WIRED said:
Many vendors sell OEM versions of Windows XP Pro at these shows at
discount rates. Is this something to stay away from, or is it
completely legit?
Click to expand...


Over and above the other answers you've gotten regarding the legitimacy of
what they are selling, be aware of the disadvantages of any OEM 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.

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.
 
WIRED said:
Many vendors sell OEM versions of Windows XP Pro at these shows at discount
rates. Is this something to stay away from, or is it completely legit?
Click to expand...

It may be legit. Keep in mind that if it's an OEM CD then the vendor is
responsible for support. Take a wild guess if the vendor will
accommodate you when you need them.
 
Check the packaging carefully and if the price seems too good to be true, it
is probably counterfeit.
Also make sure you get a receipt and business card. None of which can
guarantee you will get any compensation if the XP is not legit, but it may
help.
Click to expand...

If it is not legit. Microsoft will send you a free retail version of
xp unless that programs over with. Make sure you get the oem cd, coa
sticker and instructions


Greg Ro
 
Plato said:
It may be legit. Keep in mind that if it's an OEM CD then the vendor is
responsible for support. Take a wild guess if the vendor will
accommodate you when you need them.

--
Click to expand...


Vendors at these trade shows (or in UK we call them sunday market
traders) are not noramlly trackable. There are here today gone
tomorrow! One should avoid them at any costs completely unless one
wants to take a calculated risk!
 
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