Windows XP OEM...is it worth it?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Clay Rembert
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Clay Rembert

Hello All,

Is it worth it to purchase XP Pro even though it doesn't contain documentation etc? Or should I stick with the Full version from CompUsa or Staples? The lowest price I've seen has been $229. Are there better deals out there? Thanks in advance!!


Clay
 
Hello,

We have 200+ PC's all running OEM versions of XP. XP pro
is very user friendly so we never had a need for any of
the documentation. With all of the information on the
internet, you should be able to find answers to any
questions you have without needing the documentation.
Hope this helps,

Lynda

-----Original Message-----
Hello All,

Is it worth it to purchase XP Pro even though it doesn't
Click to expand...
contain documentation etc? Or should I stick with the
Full version from CompUsa or Staples? The lowest price
I've seen has been $229. Are there better deals out
there? Thanks in advance!!
 
XP Pro OEM is solid. The only concern: Since it is meant to be shipped with a new machine, there is no guarantee you can install it on your existing machine. If you've got a fairly new system, it would probably work. I've put it on several systems with new motherboards without problem.

Also, with the OEM version, you aren't going to get any price breaks on upgrades and of course no support.

As someone else pointed out, you can get all the help you need off the Net with a little Google effort.

--
Those who can make you believe absurdities can make you commit atrocities. -Voltaire

Hello All,

Is it worth it to purchase XP Pro even though it doesn't contain documentation etc? Or should I stick with the Full version from CompUsa or Staples? The lowest price I've seen has been $229. Are there better deals out there? Thanks in advance!!


Clay
 
There are several major disadvantages to OEM.
1. No Microsoft support, support if any comes from the seller.
2. Can not upgrade, Clean Installation.
3. Can not be transferred to another computer regardless the
condition of the original computer, Stolen destroyed etc.
And more.

Once installed, OEM and retail are identical.

Personally #1 is a non issue for myself and many.
#2 can be inconvenient.
#3 can be bad if you get a new computer without an OS etc.

Make an informed choice and fully realize why you are saving $.

--
Jupiter Jones [MVP]
http://www3.telus.net/dandemar/


Hello All,

Is it worth it to purchase XP Pro even though it doesn't contain
documentation etc? Or should I stick with the Full version from
CompUsa or Staples? The lowest price I've seen has been $229. Are
there better deals out there? Thanks in advance!!


Clay
 
The OEM version is just fine.
1.) as to transferring it to other computers, the "latest word is" MS is not
saying yes or no, this is obvious.
2.) MS only concern is "priacy"
3.) The retail version allows 6 mos of free MS technical support, since
these floks Lew and company, have a schematic of any windows detailing every
thing in it and cross references to every error code, they solve most
problems on the first phone call( not toll free)
4.) MS depends upon building newer and better operating systems in order to
swing
old system users to newer products-newer operating systems
5.) DELL, IBM,HP,SONY , ect all windows based computers , these are all OEM,
these OEM's are avilable thru Microsoft distributors of there software, so
the question is DO you want customer support free from MS or Not, if yes buy
retail,
if not you use self support or customer support from whom made the computer,
Mister Rho_1r
 
Clay said:
Hello All,

Is it worth it to purchase XP Pro even though it doesn't
contain documentation etc? Or should I stick with the
Full version from CompUsa or Staples? The lowest price
I've seen has been $229. Are there better deals out
there? Thanks in advance!!


Clay
Click to expand...


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. This is the main reason some people
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. The only
legitimate way to transfer the ownership of an OEM license is to
transfer ownership of the entire PC.

2) Microsoft provides no free 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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