XP- OEM vs Retail

B

BP

The full retail version of XP does not include SP1. The OEM full version
does. Does this mean that SP1 is intergral with the installation CD, or is
the SP1 file simply included on the CD?
Is the OEM version a newer build?
Is there any downside to owning the OEM version rather than retail? I can
get a new retail box from a freind for close to the same price as the OEM,
so cost is not a factor here.
 
G

Gary Tait

The full retail version of XP does not include SP1.

The one you have available to you does not.
The OEM full version
does. Does this mean that SP1 is intergral with the installation CD, or is
the SP1 file simply included on the CD?

It is integral with the normal install.
Is the OEM version a newer build?
Probably

Is there any downside to owning the OEM version rather than retail? I can
get a new retail box from a freind for close to the same price as the OEM,
so cost is not a factor here.

The Plusses of Retail:
A: You get support from Microsoft.
B: You can use the Retail CD to install over an existing OS install
(except XP Pro or 2000, if you are talking of an XP Home CD.)
C: You can move the OS to another PC

Downside to OEM:
A: no/limited support from Microsoft (it is supposed to come from the
maker of your PC)
B: You can only do a clean or repair install.
C: OEM is licensed only to the first PC it is activated on, license
terms prevent you from moving the OS to another computer.
 
C

Conor

The full retail version of XP does not include SP1.
WRONG.

The OEM full version
does. Does this mean that SP1 is intergral with the installation CD, or is
the SP1 file simply included on the CD?

It is integral.
Is the OEM version a newer build?

Newer than the retail you saw/bought. Newer retails have SP1 included.
Is there any downside to owning the OEM version rather than retail? I can
get a new retail box from a freind for close to the same price as the OEM,
so cost is not a factor here.
No support form MS for OEM.
 
B

BP

The XP-Home full, retail version I see everywhere, retail stores and online,
is 2002. No pretty red sticker touting SP1 like on the OEM case (No build
number on the box... aaarrgghh). So you say version 2002 has SP1 upgrades
included?

: In article <[email protected]>, (e-mail address removed)
: says...
: > The full retail version of XP does not include SP1.
:
: WRONG.
:
: > The OEM full version
: > does. Does this mean that SP1 is intergral with the installation CD, or
is
: > the SP1 file simply included on the CD?
:
: It is integral.
:
: > Is the OEM version a newer build?
:
: Newer than the retail you saw/bought. Newer retails have SP1 included.
:
: > Is there any downside to owning the OEM version rather than retail? I
can
: > get a new retail box from a freind for close to the same price as the
OEM,
: > so cost is not a factor here.
: >
: No support form MS for OEM.
:
:
: --
: Conor
:
: Polymodal Rapid Response Point to Point Vehicular Transit Specialist
 
M

MeYouMe

BP said:
The full retail version of XP does not include SP1. The OEM full version
does. Does this mean that SP1 is intergral with the installation CD, or is
the SP1 file simply included on the CD?
Is the OEM version a newer build?
Is there any downside to owning the OEM version rather than retail? I can
get a new retail box from a freind for close to the same price as the OEM,
so cost is not a factor here.

I bought an OEM version of XP for almost half the price of the full version.
You don't get MS support, but I've been using Windows since the 3.xx days
and I've never had to contact them once (and no, activation calls don't
count as support).
 
R

res0r89p

What happens with an OEM XP if you change your motherboard? Does Microsoft
block re-activation then? A second question,;will the OEM XP install to a
drive with data (not an OS) already on it?
Peter Cowie
 
G

Gary Tait

What happens with an OEM XP if you change your motherboard? Does Microsoft
block re-activation then?

I think you have to call them.
A second question,;will the OEM XP install to a
drive with data (not an OS) already on it?

Usually yes,
 
S

Stephen

I've activated XP Pro OEM three times, the first was the original
install on an Abit VP6. Second time was when I had to call after I
had to a do clean reinstall due to problems with installing a new
video card. Then a few months ago I upgraded my pc to an Abit
IC7-Max3, with a clean install. I was expecting to have to call in
again, but it activated just fine via the internet.

Don't forget you have 30 days to activate. Use them to get everything
installed and running properly so you only have to do the activation
once.

Stephen
 
R

Randy

I've activated XP Pro OEM three times, the first was the original
install on an Abit VP6. Second time was when I had to call after I
had to a do clean reinstall due to problems with installing a new
video card. Then a few months ago I upgraded my pc to an Abit
IC7-Max3, with a clean install. I was expecting to have to call in
again, but it activated just fine via the internet.

Don't forget you have 30 days to activate. Use them to get everything
installed and running properly so you only have to do the activation
once.

I don't get it? Can't you call and get a 50 digit activation code and
write it down. Then whenever you want to reactivate just use the 50
digit code they gave you the first time? Couldn't you even give your
XP cd to someone else and give them the code and they could activate
it on their PC too, although illegally? Don't have XP so am just
curious as everyone makes the reactivation seem like a big deal.
 
J

JT

I don't get it? Can't you call and get a 50 digit activation code and
write it down. Then whenever you want to reactivate just use the 50
digit code they gave you the first time? Couldn't you even give your
XP cd to someone else and give them the code and they could activate
it on their PC too, although illegally? Don't have XP so am just
curious as everyone makes the reactivation seem like a big deal.

The activation code is dependant on system configuration information that
the OS gathers. If you put it in a different system, or change enough in
your current system, the activation code required will be different.

JT
 
W

William W. Plummer

JT said:
The activation code is dependant on system configuration information that
the OS gathers. If you put it in a different system, or change enough in
your current system, the activation code required will be different.

Specifically, it includes your MAC address on your local LAN. You can
activate two identical boxes with the same key, but you will have to swap
the network card into the system you want to use at the time.
 
G

Gary Tait

I don't get it? Can't you call and get a 50 digit activation code and
write it down. Then whenever you want to reactivate just use the 50
digit code they gave you the first time? Couldn't you even give your
XP cd to someone else and give them the code and they could activate
it on their PC too, although illegally? Don't have XP so am just
curious as everyone makes the reactivation seem like a big deal.

It isn't if you are legitimately using the OS license as per the EULA.
You can re-activate over the internet all you want, as long as you
keep the same hardware configuration. If you change your hardware
enough to warrant re-activation, you can do it over the net if it has
been at least 120 days since you last activated, or phone the
activation in.
 
B

BarryNL

Gary said:
It isn't if you are legitimately using the OS license as per the EULA.
You can re-activate over the internet all you want, as long as you
keep the same hardware configuration. If you change your hardware
enough to warrant re-activation, you can do it over the net if it has
been at least 120 days since you last activated, or phone the
activation in.

Sounds like a pretty good reason to use an illegal copy of the corporate
edition instead of a legal version of the home edition to me.
 
F

Frank Hagan

Sounds like a pretty good reason to use an illegal copy of the corporate
edition instead of a legal version of the home edition to me.

Those with a conscience can purchase XP Pro Retail or OEM so Bill gets his
$. Then install and use XP Pro Corporate. I see it as a Win-Win (pardon the
pun) situation. Just my thoughts on the subject.

FRH
 
S

Stephen

I don't get it? Can't you call and get a 50 digit activation code and
write it down. Then whenever you want to reactivate just use the 50
digit code they gave you the first time? Couldn't you even give your
XP cd to someone else and give them the code and they could activate
it on their PC too, although illegally? Don't have XP so am just
curious as everyone makes the reactivation seem like a big deal.

When you call to activate, you give them a very long number that XP
has generated. M$ uses that number to make the activation number.
The number XP gives you depends on the hardware installed in the pc.

Stephen
 
J

JT

Specifically, it includes your MAC address on your local LAN. You can
activate two identical boxes with the same key, but you will have to swap
the network card into the system you want to use at the time.
It includes much more than the MAC address of your LAN card. That was used
by many older "protection" schemes, and found to be wanting. It is known
that XP looks at MAC addresses, hard drive serial #s, Number of cd/atapi
devices, BIOS checksums and manufacturer ID strings, id strings in addin
cards, etc.. Just moving a LAN card from one system to another won't work
with any of the current activation schemes.

MS went to a great deal of work to make sure that "identical" systems from
the same manufacturer can be distinguished by the activation scheme. They
have been remarkably successful.

JT
 
G

Gary Tait

Those with a conscience can purchase XP Pro Retail or OEM so Bill gets his
$. Then install and use XP Pro Corporate. I see it as a Win-Win (pardon the
pun) situation. Just my thoughts on the subject.

FRH

But you don't get SP updates, as the Product Keys for the pirated
versions out there are blacklisted.
 
T

TFM®

BarryNL said:
Sounds like a pretty good reason to use an illegal copy of the corporate
edition instead of a legal version of the home edition to me.

Yup. That's what I use. Glad I have no activation woes. I've installed
from that CD 6 times on different machines so far.

TFM®
 

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