XP Home OEM (Fry's Electronics)

[Raymond Rester]

I just bought a new HD at Fry's and noticed they had a sign there to buy
Windows XP Home OEM edition for $99.00.

I asked the clerk about the software and he said I can buy it at that
price because I am buying a computer component (the HD I had in my
hands). So I buy it and the drive.

I finally get my computer to the point I can install XP and it asks for a
Key number which isn't on the package I got at Fry's.


The package was sealed so I couldn't nor did I think about seeing is a
COA and SN were included.

All I got was a thin green manual and the CD in a white label attached
to the package on back. Below the CD package was a small barcode, to
it's left is a box that says" "This COA has been removed by the PC
Manufacturer and should be attached to the PC. Well I didn't but a PC, I
bought a HD and it didn't have any MS COA on it.

Fry's has a no return on their open software and I think they won't take
this back. But I'm also wondering are they selling software illegally?

I'm thinking this software I have can't be installed by anyone without
the COA/install key so I don't think that is right. If I had known I wasn't
buying a full legal version I would never have purchased it at that time.

The clerk never mentioned anything about this OS other than the fact it
could only be sold with at least one computer component.

Any ideas? I think something's not right here and I now have software
that can't be installed...

thanks,

Raymond

 

[Bruce Chambers]

Greetings --

Go back to Fry's and ask for the CoA and Product Key. If they
refuse to provide them, and also refuse to refund your money, consult
your local law enforcement agency - you're the victim of fraud.

Bruce Chambers

--
Help us help you:



You can have peace. Or you can have freedom. Don't ever count on
having both at once. -- RAH


I just bought a new HD at Fry's and noticed they had a sign there to
buy
Windows XP Home OEM edition for $99.00.

I asked the clerk about the software and he said I can buy it at that
price because I am buying a computer component (the HD I had in my
hands). So I buy it and the drive.

I finally get my computer to the point I can install XP and it asks
for a
Key number which isn't on the package I got at Fry's.


The package was sealed so I couldn't nor did I think about seeing is a
COA and SN were included.

All I got was a thin green manual and the CD in a white label attached
to the package on back. Below the CD package was a small barcode, to
it's left is a box that says" "This COA has been removed by the PC
Manufacturer and should be attached to the PC. Well I didn't but a PC,
I
bought a HD and it didn't have any MS COA on it.

Fry's has a no return on their open software and I think they won't
take
this back. But I'm also wondering are they selling software illegally?

I'm thinking this software I have can't be installed by anyone without
the COA/install key so I don't think that is right. If I had known I
wasn't
buying a full legal version I would never have purchased it at that
time.

The clerk never mentioned anything about this OS other than the fact
it
could only be sold with at least one computer component.

Any ideas? I think something's not right here and I now have software
that can't be installed...

thanks,

Raymond

 

[Raymond Rester]

Nevermind, I found the shrinkwrap in the trash... the info is stuck on
the outside of the plastic and I didn't notice it when I took the plastic
off.


Thanks for the quick reply!

Raymond

 

[RDL]

The clerk was correct about being able to buy an OEM
version of Windows as long as you're buying hardware. MS
updated their EULA for OEM to specify that only hardware
needs to be bought. They don't specify what hardware. You
could technically buy a floppy cable and be eligible to
buy OEM. However, the COA should have been attached to
the back of the OEM product, and if Fry's sold you the
disc without the COA they sold it illegally.

BTW: You can buy the OEM version of XP Home for $84 at
mwave.com. Their OEM versions are legal, and include the
COA and installation key. I have bought many copies of OEM
Windows XP from them without any problems. The hard drive
probably would have been cheaper there, too.