Versions Of Windows XP

[Jim Mooney]

I am looking to buy a new retail version of Windows XP
Professional and have been checking pricewatch.com for
prices. I noticed that there are lots of listings for the
OEM version as well as a few listings for Full retail
versions listed as 2002 editions. What is the best
operating system to buy and is it advisable to buy the OEM
version. What is the difference between the OEM and retail
versions?

 

[Smokey]

No difference what so ever...OEM stand for Original
Equipment Manufacturer(basically the xp cd and manual in
a plastice wrapping) Retail box is the nice pretty box
portraying the microsoft logo and windows xp logo.....Buy
OEM unless you want a XP box to store around

 

[Kelly]

Plenty difference, especially when it comes to MS support.

 

[Will Denny]

Hi

There are several differences between the two versions - some are:

OEM versions can only be used to perform a 'clean' install. Retail versions can perform either an 'upgrade' or 'clean' install.
OEM versions have no Microsoft support - you will have to go back to the supplier that you purchased the CD from. Retail versions are supported by MS.
OEM versions are permanently 'linked' to the PC that they are initially installed onto - it is illegal to try and install an OEM version onto a different PC. Retail versions can be moved to another PC, so long as XP is uninstalled from the original PC first...

IMHO I would prefer to purchase a Retail version, although the OEM versions are cheaper.

 

[Wesley VogelX]

Jim;
You get NO support from Microsoft with OEM. You get no support from
Microsoft with the full blown retail version.
Wes

 

[Lorne Smith]

I wouldn't say it was "illegal" Will, as MS cannot say what is and isn't
legal (YET!), but it does breech the terms of the EULA and it's very
unlikely MS will reactivate it....

Lorne



Hi

There are several differences between the two versions - some are:

OEM versions can only be used to perform a 'clean' install. Retail versions
can perform either an 'upgrade' or 'clean' install.
OEM versions have no Microsoft support - you will have to go back to the
supplier that you purchased the CD from. Retail versions are supported by
MS.
OEM versions are permanently 'linked' to the PC that they are initially
installed onto - it is illegal to try and install an OEM version onto a
different PC. Retail versions can be moved to another PC, so long as XP is
uninstalled from the original PC first...

IMHO I would prefer to purchase a Retail version, although the OEM versions
are cheaper.

 

[Will Denny]

Hi Lorne

AFAIK and OEM version can't be transferred to another PC, so 'illegalality' possibly doesn't come into the equation. If the transfer of an OEM version is in breech of the EULA, then to my understanding that is illegal.

 

[Michael Stevens]

I am looking to buy a new retail version of Windows XP
Professional and have been checking pricewatch.com for
prices. I noticed that there are lots of listings for the
OEM version as well as a few listings for Full retail
versions listed as 2002 editions. What is the best
operating system to buy and is it advisable to buy the OEM
version. What is the difference between the OEM and retail
versions?

Since there are licensing restrictions that come with the OEM versions, I
would consider OEM only when building new state of the art systems the will
not be considered for future mother board swaps.
Click on the links below, or copy and paste the links into the address box
if using the web based newsgroup.
OEM
http://michaelstevenstech.com/xpfaq.html#can3
OEM clarification.
http://michaelstevenstech.com/oemeula.htm
--

Michael Stevens MS-MVP XP
(e-mail address removed)
http://michaelstevenstech.com
For a better newsgroup experience. Setup a newsreader.
http://michaelstevenstech.com/outlookexpressnewreader.htm

 

[Lorne Smith]

Oh I know what you mean Will, and I'm not necessarily disagreeing with
you.... I just don't think doing so actually breaks any laws as such, which
would therefore make it an arrestable offence... License yes, but laws? Not
until MS take someone to court over it and win..... and I'm not going to
hold my breath for that to happen

Lorne


Hi Lorne

AFAIK and OEM version can't be transferred to another PC, so 'illegalality'
possibly doesn't come into the equation. If the transfer of an OEM version
is in breech of the EULA, then to my understanding that is illegal.

 

[Sparker9]

....And then there's that little thing about the OEM version having only one mate in its life. It seems that once an OEM version is mated to a system and activated...it cannot be transferred to another system, even if the system is hit by lightning....the OS is as good as toast also.

....But if you get a retail version...it could be transferred to a new replacement system. The license for a retail version of Windows XP is in perpetuity. You get to use Windows XP forever, if you so choose.
--
Snarky Parker
.......Please respond to newsgroup only (e-mail is blocked)
Win2K SP4/IE6 SP1/Office XP SP2

Plenty difference, especially when it comes to MS support.

--
All the Best,
Kelly

MS-MVP Win98/XP
[AE-Windows® XP]

Troubleshooting Windows XP
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com

Top 10 Frequently Asked Questions and Answers
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/top10faqs.htm

No difference what so ever...OEM stand for Original
Equipment Manufacturer(basically the xp cd and manual in
a plastice wrapping) Retail box is the nice pretty box
portraying the microsoft logo and windows xp logo.....Buy
OEM unless you want a XP box to store around

 

[Bruce Chambers]

Greetings --

FYI, there are some very important reasons that an OEM license
costs so much less than a retail license. OEM licenses are very
limited:

1) OEM versions must be sold with a piece of hardware (normally
a motherboard or hard drive, if not an entire PC, although Microsoft
has greatly relaxed the hardware criteria for WinXP) and are
_permanently_ bound to the first PC on which they are installed. An
OEM license, once installed, is not legally transferable to another
computer under any circumstances. The only legitimate way to transfer
the ownership of an OEM license is to transfer ownership of the entire
PC. This is the best reason to avoid OEM versions; if the PC dies or
is otherwise disposed of (even stolen), you cannot re-use your OEM
license on a new PC.

2) Microsoft provides no support for OEM versions. If you have
any problems that require outside assistance, your only recourse is to
contact the manufacturer/builder of the PC or the vendor of the OEM
license. This would include such issues as lost a Product Key or
replacing damaged installation media. (Microsoft does make allowances
for those instances when you can prove that the OEM has gone out of
business.) This doesn't mean that you can't download patches and
service packs from Microsoft -- just no free telephone or email
support for problems with the OS.

3) An OEM CD cannot be used to perform an upgrade of an earlier
OS, as it was designed to be installed _only_ upon an empty hard
drive. It can still be used to perform a repair installation (a.k.a.
an in-place upgrade) of an existing WinXP installation.

4) If the OEM CD was designed by a specific manufacturer, such as
eMachines, Sony, Dell, Gateway, etc., it will most likely only install
on the same brand of PC, as an additional anti-piracy feature.
Further, such CDs are severely customized to contain only the minimum
of device drivers, and a lot of extra nonsense, that the manufacturer
feels necessary for the specific model of PC for which the CD was
designed. (To be honest, such CDs should not be available on the open
market; but, if you're shopping someplace like eBay, swap meets, or
computer fairs, there's often no telling what you're buying until it's
too late.) The "generic" OEM CDs, such as are manufactured by
Microsoft and sold to small systems builders, don't have this
particular problem, though, and are pretty much the same as their
retail counterparts, apart from the licensing, support, and upgrading
restrictions.


Bruce Chambers

--
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[Alex Nichol]

I am looking to buy a new retail version of Windows XP
Professional and have been checking pricewatch.com for
prices. I noticed that there are lots of listings for the
OEM version as well as a few listings for Full retail
versions listed as 2002 editions. What is the best
operating system to buy and is it advisable to buy the OEM
version

All versions of XP Home and Pro get described as 2002 (Make sure though
that you do not confuse with application packages like Word 2002).

Make sure that you actually *need* one of the extra facilities in Pro
and if not get Home - the central system, other than the extras, is
identical. See
http://www.winsupersite.com/showcase/windowsxp_home_pro.asp

Provided you have a CD of a qualifying version of Windows (95 98 or ME
for Home; NT4 and win2000 also for Pro), then an Upgrade version is all
you need, and will also do a clean installation. Get Full only if you
do not have such a qualifying product. The only difference is in this
check

OEM versions are full ones at a lower price, but with restrictions:

They must be sold with at least some notional hardware component
They will only do a clean install - not an upgrade
They carry no support from Microsoft, the vendor takes that on, and
judge how much you would get
Importantly - the OEM license is solely to the machine where first
installed. Unlike one of the retail ones, they may *not* be transferred
to another machine

 

[Ken Blake]

In

What is the difference between the OEM and retail
versions?

The 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.