Upgrading to XP Pro

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Guest

I hope this post is in the correct catagory.

I would like to upgrade to Windows XP Pro from Windows 2000 Pro, but have a
couple of questions I'm hoping someone can help me with.

1. I'm the type of person that likes to build my own computers. I become
dissatisfied with what I'm currently using, wind up going to someplace like
Fry's electronics and coming home with several bags of stuff to build a new
PC. I've got a whole shelf in my garage full of old MB's, RAM and hard
drives to prove it.

For this reason I don't want to buy the "Upgrade Version". I believe I will
be better off in the long run by purchasing a version that I can use to
directly install Win XP Pro on a newly built PC.

When searching the internet for packages to buy, I see a LOT of choices.
From places that offer OEM versions to full network versions. I just want a
full blown, fully documented version that I can use to install XP Pro from.

Any recommendations?

I use this PC for work and school.

2. I'm running an AMD X64 Athalon cpu with a 1X2 (mirror) RAID HD setup.
Two SATA 300GB hard disks. Prior to installing XP, my plan is to take a
160GB HD off my shelf and install it as a backup drive. I plan to use this
backup drive to backup all of my data files, Outlook, etc. and then to
restore this data after XP is installed. I don't mind reinstalling my other
software after changing hardware and seting up a new OS.

Any thoughts? Use Windows Backup & Restore or the file transfer utility, or
just copy the files back and forth?

Thanks in advance,

H2os50
 
OEM software is a full version (non-upgrade) which includes the CD-ROM, and
the product key codes and sometimes coa. OEM products contain all necessary
materials for a single installation. Not all OEM comes with the COA. These
elements are all you will need to load and run the software. The software
runs exactly the same way as the full retail version. The differences
between OEM Vs Retail Box are:
1. OEM does not come in a box.
2. OEM is only licensed for one computer.
3. OEM is not transferable.
4. OEM cannot be used to upgrade.
5. Microsoft does not supply free technical support for OEM.

OEM is cheaper then a full retail version, but if you want to reuse it on
another machine (if your present machines goes up in smoke) you're out of
luck.

I am sure that you can find different prices. But compare these two.

Windows XP Professional OEM $159.00

Full Version Microsoft® Windows® XP Professional English North America CD
w/SP2
$299.00

--
Hope this helps. Let us know.

Wes
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

In
 
Also, you can use an upgrade version if you have a qualifying cd.
It is not neccessary to install the earlier version in order to use the
upgrade.
You simply need the cd available to insert when the upgrade complains, and
point the installation to it.
 
h2os50 said:
For this reason I don't want to buy the "Upgrade Version". I believe
I will be better off in the long run by purchasing a version that I
can use to directly install Win XP Pro on a newly built PC.
Click to expand...


Assuming that you qualify for the Upgrade version (and almost everyone does;
if not, you can qualify by buying an inexpensive used copy of Windows 95),
it's a much better deal to buy the Upgrade version.

The requirement to use an upgrade version is to *own* a previous qualifying
version's installation CD, not to have it installed. When setup doesn't find
a previous qualifying version installed, it will prompt you to insert its CD
as proof of ownership. Just insert the previous version's CD, and follow the
prompts. Everything proceeds quite normally and quite legitimately.

For almost everyone, buying the full version is simply wasting money.

I would also avoid the OEM version because of the restrictions that it comes
with; the worst of these, in my view, is that 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.
 
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