Student Version Question

[pochrist]

I recently purchased a Student version of windows XP, at the time I did not
realize becauseI goit off the web, The vendor described it as "Windows XP
Pro Full OEM W/SP2"

The price seemed a little low, so the next day I contacted him and requested
that he verify that is not a Student or promo version and not to ship it if
it was. Well 48 hours later and many e-mails he verified that it is, I've
recieved the Item and itend to return it once the moron tell me how get my
money back. As far as I understand this is a crippled version and not
eligiable for updates or upgrades. So basically keeping and installing it
would leave me with illegal version that would not be ellible for
registration (thus 60 days and all go to hell right.)

 

[Ronnie Vernon MVP]

If this is an OEM version of XP, it is not illegal. It can be upgraded if you use a retail version for the upgrade. The main difference between an OEM version and a retail version is that the former is tied to the first PC it is installed on and cannot be moved to another PC.

 

[pochrist]

By retail you mean a retail version of XP or Vista when it comes out?


If this is an OEM version of XP, it is not illegal. It can be upgraded if
you use a retail version for the upgrade. The main difference between an OEM
version and a retail version is that the former is tied to the first PC it
is installed on and cannot be moved to another PC.

 

[Ronnie Vernon MVP]

Yes. A retail version is usually bought in a store and an OEM version is purchased either pre-installed on a new computer or bought from a reseller that sells it with a piece of hardware like a hard drive or motherboard.

 

[Albert Giuliano]

Thanks for the clarification, but I meant is if I buy a Retail version of
Windows Vista will it upgrade the student copy?


Yes. A retail version is usually bought in a store and an OEM version is
purchased either pre-installed on a new computer or bought from a reseller
that sells it with a piece of hardware like a hard drive or motherboard.

 

[Bob I]

If in fact it is an Academic Edition, historically it is not a
"Qualifying software" for an "Upgrade version". Vista has not been
released so the "qualifying software" list is not out yet so YMMV.

 

[Ronnie Vernon MVP]

Typically, a retail verion will upgrade any of the OEM or Academic versions of Windows. I don't expect this to change with the release of Vista. The only thing you cannot do is "downgrade." For instance, you cannot install a retail version of XP Home over an OEM version of XP Pro.

With Vista, you will have a larger selection of versions and types, so check carefully before purchasing.

Here are a couple of links with good information.

Windows Vista: Upgrade planning:
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsvista/getready/upgradeinfo.mspx

Windows Vista: Editions:
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsvista/getready/editions/default.mspx