Windows XP SP3 OEM disk from Newegg

[Desert Rider]

I'm building a system for the first time. I have purchased a Windows
XP SP3 OEM disk from Newegg. I haven't opened the envelope yet but it
does come with a COA. I've heard that it does not have a product key.
How do I use this disk to install the OS on the system.?

 

[Leonard Grey]

There's no product key on the COA?

 

[Shenan Stanley]

I'm building a system for the first time. I have purchased a Windows
XP SP3 OEM disk from Newegg. I haven't opened the envelope yet but
it does come with a COA. I've heard that it does not have a product
key. How do I use this disk to install the OS on the system?

Where did you 'hear' this information?

Without a product key - you just paid for something a friend could have
likely burned you for free... A Windows XP with SP3 integrated - but no
license to utilize said CD.

The COA should have the product key on it - does yours not have this?

 

[Desert Rider]

Where did you 'hear' this information?

Various posters writing reviews for the product on the Newegg website.

Without a product key - you just paid for something a friend could have
likely burned you for free...  A Windows XP with SP3 integrated - but no
license to utilize said CD.

The COA should have the product key on it - does yours not have this?

Problem is the envelope that the software comes in. The COA is on the
inside of the envelope. If I open the envelope I cannot return the
software for credit towards a retail version. I'm just hoping that
someone else has had the experience of purchasing this software from
Newegg and can verify whether or not it contained the product key on
the COA. There are pictures of the item at the Newegg website but it
is very difficult to determine if the COA has a product key on it.
Link here: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116515

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

I'm building a system for the first time. I have purchased a Windows
XP SP3 OEM disk from Newegg. I haven't opened the envelope yet but it
does come with a COA. I've heard that it does not have a product key.

You've heard wrong. It does.

How do I use this disk to install the OS on the system.?

Just boot from the Windows XP CD (change the BIOS boot order if
necessary to accomplish this) and follow the prompts for a clean
installation (delete the existing partition by pressing "D" when
prompted, then create a new one).

You can find detailed instructions here:
http://michaelstevenstech.com/cleanxpinstall.html

or here
http://xphelpandsupport.mvps.org/how_do_i_install_windows_xp.htm

or here http://windowsxp.mvps.org/XPClean.htm

or here http://www.webtree.ca/windowsxp/clean_install.htm


However, if you haven't opened the package yet, my recommendation is
that you return the package rather than using it. I almost always
recommend *against* OEM versions.

The single biggest disadvantage of an OEM copy is that its license
ties it permanently to the first computer it's installed on. It can
never be moved to another, not even if the original one dies.

For that reason, 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.

 

[Shenan Stanley]

I'm building a system for the first time. I have purchased a Windows
XP SP3 OEM disk from Newegg. I haven't opened the envelope yet but
it does come with a COA. I've heard that it does not have a product
key. How do I use this disk to install the OS on the system?

Where did you 'hear' this information?

Without a product key - you just paid for something a friend could
have likely burned you for free... A Windows XP with SP3
integrated - but no license to utilize said CD.

The COA should have the product key on it - does yours not have
this?

Various posters writing reviews for the product on the Newegg
website.

Problem is the envelope that the software comes in. The COA is on
the inside of the envelope. If I open the envelope I cannot return the
software for credit towards a retail version. I'm just hoping that
someone else has had the experience of purchasing this software from
Newegg and can verify whether or not it contained the product key on
the COA. There are pictures of the item at the Newegg website but it
is very difficult to determine if the COA has a product key on it.
Link here:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116515

The third picture shows a sticker with the product key on it. Are you
saying you did not get a cellophane wrapped version of the CD/etc? Or is it
inside the envelope you haven't opened? (It's the cellophane packaging that
likely needs to stay closed - not the envelope/box it came in - if you need
to return it. In other words - if the cellophane and the CD cover itself is
not opened - the software has not been opened.

Remember the biggest (IMHO) disadvantage of the licensed CD type you just
bought... Once you install that on a system and activate it using the key
that is included - that's it. If the machine youinstalled it upon is
stolen, leaving you with the CD and sticker with the product key - in
accordance with the strict license you agreed to while installing (OEM
EULA) - you might as well throw away the CD and product key and kiss that
$140 goodbye. Retail versions do not have this limitation.

NewEgg is legitimate - I seriously doubt they would install an unusable CD
(unusable without the product key.) No where does it state it requires you
already have a valid license (and that price would be a rip-off for just a
CD anyone could get from a friend, family member, aquaintance, co-worker,
etc. And yes - I know some would argue that it is rip-off either way.)

Plus the reviews - you just know someone would have complained if it did not
come with a valid product key! You say you heard it there - I see none of
that.

 

[Richie Hardwick]

Where did you 'hear' this information?

Various posters writing reviews for the product on the Newegg website.
Bullsheit.

[snip]

Problem is the envelope that the software comes in. The COA is on the
inside of the envelope. If I open the envelope I cannot return the
software for credit towards a retail version. I'm just hoping that
someone else has had the experience of purchasing this software from
Newegg and can verify whether or not it contained the product key on
the COA. There are pictures of the item at the Newegg website but it
is very difficult to determine if the COA has a product key on it.

Newegg is completely reputable and doesn't sell crap. I've bought
several thousand dollars worth of software and hardware from them.

Richie Hardwick

 

[philo]

Desert Rider wrote:
I'm building a system for the first time. I have purchased a Windows
XP SP3 OEM disk from Newegg. I haven't opened the envelope yet but
it does come with a COA. I've heard that it does not have a product
key. How do I use this disk to install the OS on the system?

Where did you 'hear' this information?

Various posters writing reviews for the product on the Newegg website.
Bullsheit.

[snip]

Problem is the envelope that the software comes in. The COA is on the
inside of the envelope. If I open the envelope I cannot return the
software for credit towards a retail version. I'm just hoping that
someone else has had the experience of purchasing this software from
Newegg and can verify whether or not it contained the product key on
the COA. There are pictures of the item at the Newegg website but it
is very difficult to determine if the COA has a product key on it.

Newegg is completely reputable and doesn't sell crap. I've bought
several thousand dollars worth of software and hardware from them.

Richie Hardwick

Yep, I agree
no way is NewEgg going to cheat you

 

[Desert Rider]

The third picture shows a sticker with the product key on it.  Are you
saying you did not get a cellophane wrapped version of the CD/etc?  Or is it
inside the envelope you haven't opened?  (It's the cellophane packagingthat
likely needs to stay closed - not the envelope/box it came in - if you need
to return it.  In other words - if the cellophane and the CD cover itself is
not opened - the software has not been opened.

OK, I bit the bullet and opened the outer MS envelope. The CD does
indeed have a product key on the COA. Sorry about the confusion, it's
just this is my first time purchasing an OEM disk.

Remember the biggest (IMHO) disadvantage of the licensed CD type you just
bought... Once you install that on a system and activate it using the key
that is included - that's it.  If the machine youinstalled it upon is
stolen, leaving you with the CD and sticker with the product key - in
accordance with the strict license you agreed to while installing (OEM
EULA) - you might as well throw away the CD and product key and kiss that
$140 goodbye.  Retail versions do not have this limitation.

I was aware that the OEM disk is tied to the system it is installed
on. I'm building this system for a friend and he's upgrading from
Windows 2K Pro. I didn't do enough homework and I'm sure he has the
Windows 2K from his present system. I probably should have purchased
the XP Pro SP2 Retail Upgrade even though it's $40 more then the OEM
version. The only good thing is that he is highly unlikely to have it
stolen!

NewEgg is legitimate - I seriously doubt they would install an unusable CD
(unusable without the product key.)  No where does it state it requiresyou
already have a valid license (and that price would be a rip-off for just a
CD anyone could get from a friend, family member, aquaintance, co-worker,
etc.  And yes - I know some would argue that it is rip-off either way.)

I agree with your assessment of NewEgg. I've never had any problems
with their products or service. Just got a bit paranoid when I saw a
review that stated there was no product key included. I haven't been
able to isolate the review yet but I also know to take customer
reviews with a healthy dose of skepticism!

Plus the reviews - you just know someone would have complained if it did not
come with a valid product key!  You say you heard it there - I see noneof
that.

Thanks to all who took the time to respond to my questions with their
time and knowledge.

 

[Ron Rosenfeld]

I'm building a system for the first time. I have purchased a Windows
XP SP3 OEM disk from Newegg. I haven't opened the envelope yet but it
does come with a COA. I've heard that it does not have a product key.
How do I use this disk to install the OS on the system.?

The XP SP2 OEM disks I've purchased from Newegg had the product key on the COA.
I've not purchased an SP3 OEM disk from them.
--ron

 

[Richie Hardwick]

I agree with your assessment of NewEgg. I've never had any problems
with their products or service. Just got a bit paranoid when I saw a
review that stated there was no product key included. I haven't been
able to isolate the review yet

You dreamed it or you made it up. I think you stupidly did the
latter.

Remember: you said "Various posters writing reviews for the product on
the Newegg website."

Now it's "a review".

You lied, weasel.

Richie Hardwick

 

[Daave]

Desert Rider wrote:

The third picture shows a sticker with the product key on it. Are you
saying you did not get a cellophane wrapped version of the CD/etc? Or
is it inside the envelope you haven't opened? (It's the cellophane
packaging that likely needs to stay closed - not the envelope/box it
came in - if you need to return it. In other words - if the
cellophane and the CD cover itself is not opened - the software has
not been opened.

Unfortunately, even if a Newegg customer doesn't open the packaging, it
is still too late for a refund:

"OEM software is non-refundable once purchased and delivered."

That is from:

http://www.newegg.com/HelpInfo/ReturnPolicy.aspx

 

[Desert Rider]

You dreamed it or you made it up.  I think you stupidly did the
latter.  

Remember: you said "Various posters writing reviews for the product on
the Newegg website."

Now it's "a review".

You lied, weasel.

Richie Hardwick

Not sure what yanked your chain but I was sure I saw customer comment
(I do consider that a review) stating that they had received a OEM
disk without a product key. I very well could have been mistaken about
it being on Newegg's site and it might have been on Amazon's site or
elsewhere but I DID NOT lie. All I was trying to do was get accurate
information and was not in any way casting dispersions upon Newegg.

You obviously have some self-esteem problems otherwise why would you
post something so blatantly negative about someone you do not know. I
do apologize for any mistake I might have made but it still does not
excuse your churlish behavior. I see from some of your prior group
posts that you often rely on sarcasm instead of making constructive
contributions. It does tend to confirm that you sir, either have a
very small dick or a very small mind, perhaps both.

That being said I again thank those that did take the time to respond
and appreciate your clarifications. That is, of course, with one
obvious exception.

 

[Ron Rosenfeld]

You dreamed it or you made it up. I think you stupidly did the
latter.

You lied, weasel.

Richie Hardwick

And your posting demonstrates that you are not able to competently search
Newegg customer reviews.

It took me about 15 seconds to find this:


==============================
no product key

Pros: its great. just had to sit on the phone with newegg customer support for
like 30 minutes getting a product key.

Cons: product key
===============================

and this:

==============================
cant activate windows

Pros: none

Cons: it says "according to our records, the number of times you can active
windows with this product key has been exceeded. Please enter a different
product key, and then click Retry." I didnt even use they key once.

Other Thoughts: everything else that i have gotten from newegg is good and
working. I guess i was just unlucky to get an already used windows key.
=============================================
--ron

 

[Desert Rider]

Unfortunately, even if a Newegg customer doesn't open the packaging, it
is still too late for a refund:

"OEM software is non-refundable once purchased and delivered."

That is from:

http://www.newegg.com/HelpInfo/ReturnPolicy.aspx

Thanks for the info Daave. Yes, I was aware of that. I would have been
returning the software for an exchange/upgrade, not a refund. I'm
still not absolutely sure if that would have been possible under
Newegg's policy but I thought my chances would be better if the
original outer package had not been opened.

Bottom line is that all this confusion would have been avoided if I
had been more diligent in my pre-purchase research. Valuable lesson
learned!

 

[Daave]

Thanks for the info Daave. Yes, I was aware of that. I would have been
returning the software for an exchange/upgrade, not a refund. I'm
still not absolutely sure if that would have been possible under
Newegg's policy but I thought my chances would be better if the
original outer package had not been opened.

I'm not sure either. I wouldn't be surprised if Newegg's definition or
nonrefundable includes the inability to exchange.

But in reality you had absolutely nothing to worry about. Newegg
wouldn't sell System Builder installation CDs that wouldn't come with
Product Keys. Those reviewers were totally clueless. In the future, if
you have any doubt, ask here before you purchase anything online. That
would give you 100% confidence.

Bottom line is that all this confusion would have been avoided if I
had been more diligent in my pre-purchase research. Valuable lesson
learned!

Yup.