Replacing OEM version

[Guest]

I recently purchased a PC (new) with an OEM Windows XP Pro preinstalled. I
was not supplied a CD, but have had several problems that point to a bad
installation. If I buy a retail version can I buy an upgrade and will it
install with the OEM version resident?

 

[Carey Frisch [MVP]]

No, you'll need a "Full Version" of Windows XP Professional
which will enable you to perform a "Repair Install".

However, if you have an old Microsoft Windows 95/98/ME CD,
you can purchase the "Upgrade Version" of Windows XP Pro
providing the older Windows operating system is not installed
on a different computer.

How to Perform a Windows XP Repair Install
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/XPrepairinstall.htm

[Courtesy of MS-MVP Michael Stevens]

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

Be Smart! Protect Your PC!
http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/protect/default.aspx

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:

| I recently purchased a PC (new) with an OEM Windows XP Pro preinstalled. I
| was not supplied a CD, but have had several problems that point to a bad
| installation. If I buy a retail version can I buy an upgrade and will it
| install with the OEM version resident?

 

[jimbo]

I have an OEM version of WinXP Home and I have done a couple of repair
installations. Wouldn't that also be an option for OP? An OEM version
of WinXP Pro would be about the same cost as an upgrade version.

jimbo

 

[Ron Martell]

I recently purchased a PC (new) with an OEM Windows XP Pro preinstalled. I
was not supplied a CD, but have had several problems that point to a bad
installation. If I buy a retail version can I buy an upgrade and will it
install with the OEM version resident?

Check the documentation that came with your computer. If you were not
given an XP Pro CD or a "system recovery" CD then you *must* have a
"system recovery" partition on your hard drive from which you can
reinstall your Windows XP.

OEMs are required, as a condition of their OEM license from Microsoft,
to provide some means by which the computer can be restored to the "as
it left the factory" condition including the freshly installed Windows
XP. And it is normal for the OEMs to also provide a means of creating
a CD (or perhaps multiple CDs) from the "system recovery" partition
data.

If do not have the Windows XP or system recovery CD and there is no
system recovery partition on your hard drive then you need to contact
the vendor who sold you the PC and *insist* that they provide you with
this. And if they fail to do so then your next recourse is to contact
(e-mail address removed) and inform them of the full particulars including
the name and address of the vendor who sold you the computer with OEM
Windows XP.

Good luck


Ron Martell Duncan B.C. Canada
--
Microsoft MVP
On-Line Help Computer Service
http://onlinehelp.bc.ca

"The reason computer chips are so small is computers don't eat much."