XP on barebones system.

[Guest]

I'm planning on buying a barebones computer system without floppy, CD, DVD
burner, keyboard, or mouse as I have spare ones already. My question is this,
should I order it without Windows XP preloaded and install it after I install
these or deal with the authentication issues with it preloaded?

 

[Jerry]

Preloaded means you will get an OEM XP CD. This version of XP restricts it
to being installed on ONE system only. If you swap motherboards or other
hardware it probably won't work and won't reinstall. If something else
screws up you won't be able to do a Repair install only a restore install
which returns everything to how it was on day one.

Buying a full, retail version eliminates all of the above but costs more.