Which version of XP

[JM]

I'd like to install windows xp pro on a machine I have built from
spare bits. I have been searching Amazon for a copy of windows xp but
can't work out which version I should buy. Obviously I want the
cheapest.

Can someone send me a link on Amazon with the right one please? I
can't work out whether the cheaper OEM version
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Microsoft-W...0626?ie=UTF8&s=software&qid=1181891938&sr=1-8
at £94.98 is legal for me or whether I need to shell out £243.48 for
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Windows-XP-...0373624-4700626?ie=UTF8&qid=1181891938&sr=1-8
this one.

Is it possible to get a cheaper non SP2 copy - given that I can
download SP2 quite cheaply myself?

Many thanks in advance

Jonathan

 

[Shenan Stanley]

I'd like to install windows xp pro on a machine I have built from
spare bits. I have been searching Amazon for a copy of windows xp
but
can't work out which version I should buy. Obviously I want the
cheapest.

Can someone send me a link on Amazon with the right one please? I
can't work out whether the cheaper OEM version
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Microsoft-W...0626?ie=UTF8&s=software&qid=1181891938&sr=1-8
at £94.98 is legal for me or whether I need to shell out £243.48 for
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Windows-XP-...0373624-4700626?ie=UTF8&qid=1181891938&sr=1-8
this one.

Is it possible to get a cheaper non SP2 copy - given that I can
download SP2 quite cheaply myself?

Many thanks in advance

If you want (and will be using the few extra features it will give you)
Windows XP Professional - your best option is to purchase Windows XP
Professional OEM. Sure - it will be stuck on the machine you firsat install
it upon in accordance with the EULA when you first install it - but it costs
about 1/2 as much.

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

I'd like to install windows xp pro on a machine I have built from
spare bits. I have been searching Amazon for a copy of windows xp but
can't work out which version I should buy. Obviously I want the
cheapest.

Can someone send me a link on Amazon with the right one please? I
can't work out whether the cheaper OEM version
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Microsoft-W...0626?ie=UTF8&s=software&qid=1181891938&sr=1-8
at £94.98 is legal for me or whether I need to shell out £243.48 for
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Windows-XP-...0373624-4700626?ie=UTF8&qid=1181891938&sr=1-8
this one.

Two points:

1. The OEM version comes with several disadvantages, the most severe
of which is that once installed, it can never legally be moved to
another computer, even if the original computer dies.

For that reason I recommend against OEM versions, and instead suggest
the Retail Upgrade version, which usually costs only slightly more
than the OEM version. Contrary to what many people think, the Upgrade
version *can* do a clean installation, as long as you have a CD of a
previous qualifying version to show it when prompted as proof of
ownership. Most people have such a CD, but worst case, if you don't,
you can buy a used copy of Windows 98 very inexpensively.

2. Are you sure you need XP Professional, rather than XP Home? Are you
aware that XP Home and Professional are identical except that
Professional includes a few features (mostly related to security and
networking) missing from Home? Most home users don't need and would
never use these extra features and will see no benefits by having
Professional instead of Home.

For details go to

http://www.winsupersite.com/showcase/windowsxp_home_pro.asp

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/whichxp.asp>

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/home/howtobuy/choosing2.asp

Also note another point, not included in any of the above:
Professional allows ten concurrent network connections, and Home only
five.

Is it possible to get a cheaper non SP2 copy - given that I can
download SP2 quite cheaply myself?

No.

 

[JM]

Two points:

1. The OEM version comes with several disadvantages, the most severe
of which is that once installed, it can never legally be moved to
another computer, even if the original computer dies.

For that reason I recommend against OEM versions, and instead suggest
the Retail Upgrade version, which usually costs only slightly more
than the OEM version. Contrary to what many people think, the Upgrade
version *can* do a clean installation, as long as you have a CD of a
previous qualifying version to show it when prompted as proof of
ownership. Most people have such a CD, but worst case, if you don't,
you can buy a used copy of Windows 98 very inexpensively.

2. Are you sure you need XP Professional, rather than XP Home? Are you
aware that XP Home and Professional are identical except that
Professional includes a few features (mostly related to security and
networking) missing from Home? Most home users don't need and would
never use these extra features and will see no benefits by having
Professional instead of Home.

For details go to

http://www.winsupersite.com/showcase/windowsxp_home_pro.asp

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/whichxp.asp>

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/home/howtobuy/choosing2.asp

Also note another point, not included in any of the above:
Professional allows ten concurrent network connections, and Home only
five.


No.

Thanks seems XP Home upgrade is the way I need to go. Is there anyway
of knowing/confirming that one of my 3 windows 98 cds is a qualifying
version?

Thanks in advance

Jonathan

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

Thanks seems XP Home upgrade is the way I need to go. Is there anyway
of knowing/confirming that one of my 3 windows 98 cds is a qualifying
version?

Any Windows 98 *installation* CD qualifies. You should have no
problem, unless they are OEM restoration CDs.

You can use a restoration CD too, but it's a little more complicated.
Write back if that's your situation.