OEM XP vs. "off-the-shelf" from Microsoft

  • Thread starter Thread starter mark4man
  • Start date Start date
M

mark4man

People,



Windows XP (Home), which came loaded on my new Dell, has always performed
screwy (even after a total uninstall/drive reformatting/reinstall.)



Device drivers cause audio apps (& the OS itself) to crash . . . Windows
Explorer shuts down unexpectedly . . . along with numerous other minor
problems.



The worst thing of all is, "System Restore" has never worked . . . never.
Dell doesn't even know the answer to that one.



I have heard that OS's, particularly XP, which are packaged as a partnership
deal with various PC mfg.'s (which I've heard referred to as OEM Operating
Systems), work crappy.



Is this true?



Are the System Files set up differently? Are they screwed up because
they're not a pure Microsoft OS release? Or, is there no difference in the
way they're structured at all.



As a PC audiophile (I do a lot of work with digital audio
multutracking/recording apps . . . SONAR, WaveLab, etc.), am I better off
with an off-the-shelf version of XP?



Thanks,



mark4man





BTW - If so, what should I be looking for on the box? (i.e., latest release,
etc.) Thanks again.
 
The Dell Windows XP "Reinstallation CD" is virtually identical
to a conventional Windows XP CD. Your problem may lie with
faulty hardware or corrupt/out-of-date drivers. Visit the Dell support
website and search for the latest hardware drivers for your specific
Dell computer. Make sure you have the latest BIOS update.

Dell Community Forums
http://forums.us.dell.com/supportforums

Welcome to Dell Customer Support
http://support.dell.com/us/en/home.asp


--
Carey Frisch
Microsoft MVP
Windows XP - Shell/User

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


| People,
|
| Windows XP (Home), which came loaded on my new Dell, has always performed
| screwy (even after a total uninstall/drive reformatting/reinstall.)
|
| Device drivers cause audio apps (& the OS itself) to crash . . . Windows
| Explorer shuts down unexpectedly . . . along with numerous other minor
| problems.
|
| The worst thing of all is, "System Restore" has never worked . . . never.
| Dell doesn't even know the answer to that one.
|
| I have heard that OS's, particularly XP, which are packaged as a partnership
| deal with various PC mfg.'s (which I've heard referred to as OEM Operating
| Systems), work crappy.
|
| Is this true?
|
| Are the System Files set up differently? Are they screwed up because
| they're not a pure Microsoft OS release? Or, is there no difference in the
| way they're structured at all.
|
| As a PC audiophile (I do a lot of work with digital audio
| multutracking/recording apps . . . SONAR, WaveLab, etc.), am I better off
| with an off-the-shelf version of XP?
|
| Thanks,
|
| mark4man
|
| BTW - If so, what should I be looking for on the box? (i.e., latest release,
| etc.) Thanks again.
 
The problem isn't in windows oem or retail, they are identical in file
stucture, its in buying an oem computer. Usually they just don't have the
quality, unless you pay for it. I'm not knocking dell or anyone, we use
dells at work they are nice, but none of them are the $399 specials that
dell sells. Oem's use alot of "on-board" hardware instead of stand-alone pci
or agp hardware, which usually is the low end stuff to save on money. Your
better off building your own computer or having one built at a custom shop.
You might pay more but you'll get a better machine. If you build it yourself
for the same money you'd spend at an oem you get a higher quality computer.
It just takes some research on hardware, memory and motherboards.
 
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