I purchased winxp pro from online retailer. It would not install on my HP
desktop computer. I had to install winxp home for it to work.
Then something other than what you think is the problem is the case
here. If an XP Home CD works, then an XP Professional CD will also
work.
This is not a
restore CD but actually a winxp pro full version CD. Msft tech support said
its OEM
Please get the terminology correct. The word "Full" means a retail
Full version, and not a OEM version.
and therefore I need to inquire from the original manufacturer.
That's correct. One of the reasons an OEM version is less expensive
than a retail one is that Microsoft doesn't support OEM versions (see
below).
If
this was purchased 1+ yr ago and I don't remember from whom.... how do I know
who to call to resolve the problem?
Then you're out of luck regarding getting support from them. But
explain your problem here, and it's likely that one of us can help
you.
Does the OEM mean that the software can only be installed
on a certain brand computer?
There are two kinds of OEM versions of Windows:
1. Those that come with an OEM computer
2. Those that you buy by themselves.
If it's the first kind, there's a very good chance that it's
BIOS-locked to the particular computer and will not work on another.
If it's the second type (you said "I purchased winxp pro from online
retailer" above, so it apparently is), it should work on any computer.
By the way, an OEM version has the following disadvantages:
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 have to
get any needed support from your OEM, and that may range anywhere
between good and non-existent.
Because of point number 1, I think OEM copies of Windows XP are very
poor value, and I always recommend the retail Upgrade, which usually
costs only slightly more, instead. And despite what some people think,
an upgrade copy *can* do a clean installation as long as you own a CD
of a previous qualifying version to show it as proof of ownership when
prompted. Most people have a Windows 98 CD around, but worst case, if
you don't, you can buy one inexpensively someplace like eBay.