Replacement of Win XP OEM

[Wahiawa Grandpa]

I own several PC's all with original MS OS. Recently I bought my Nephew a
gaming PC which included WIN XP OEM. In less than six months he had a common
OEM blue screen. Searching the internet I find many failures with countless
temp fixex.
My Question is: Can I buy an original WIN XP Pro CD and totally reinstall. I
know how to get the few drivers if any that may not be included by MS. Seems
to be
the least promblmatic fix.. Mahalo

 

[Mark L. Ferguson]

Almost all OEM systems are equipped with a way to 'Restore to factory
defaults' Press F8 during the black screen portion of a restart, just after
the BIOS screen, and you may get that offer to restore.

 

[smlunatick]

I own several PC's all with original MS OS. Recently I bought my Nephew a
gaming PC which included WIN XP OEM. In less than six months he had a common
OEM blue screen. Searching the internet I find many failures with countless
temp fixex.
My Question is: Can I buy an original WIN XP Pro CD and totally reinstall.I
know how to get the few drivers if any that may not be included by MS. Seems
to be
the least promblmatic fix.. Mahalo

Windows XP Pro OEM and "original" XP Pro are functionally the same.
OEM versions come in essence two versions:

1) Generic OEM that should be exactly the same as "retail" XP

2) "Tweaked" OEM which the PC supplier has installed the required
drivers and "extra" junk software.


Most problems are caused by viruses, spyware, malwares and
"hackwares." Running good anit-virus and anti-spyware softwares are a
must!

 

[Dave Navarro]

I own several PC's all with original MS OS. Recently I bought my Nephew a
gaming PC which included WIN XP OEM. In less than six months he had a common
OEM blue screen. Searching the internet I find many failures with countless
temp fixex.
My Question is: Can I buy an original WIN XP Pro CD and totally reinstall. I
know how to get the few drivers if any that may not be included by MS. Seems
to be
the least promblmatic fix.. Mahalo

I have personally found that an OEM serial number will NOT work to
install a retail version of XP.

I upgraded the wife's computer a few years ago to XP Home and bought a
full retail version from Wal-Mart.

My system is a "generic built it myself" computer and I had a crash a
year ago and couldn't find the OEM CD that I bought with my system. I
tried to use her retail CD to install with my OEM serial number and it
wouldn't take my key during install.

I had to find a friend who had an OEM version of XP and use his disc to
install with my key.