XP Pro CD - Retail or OEM?

[Jane Crystal]

A friend lent me a copy of an XP Pro CD so I could look at some of the
files and run the Upgrade Advisor to determine hardware and software
compatibility and readiness.

He does not know whether it is a retail or OEM CD or whether it is the full
version or an upgrade. Is there any way to tell by looking at certain files?
This is a CD-R, not an original Microsoft CD.

I'm assuming it is the full version. I pretended to install it to see if it
gave me a choice. It asked me whether I wanted to do an upgrade (from
Windows Me) or a clean install. The upgrade version wouldn't give me that
choice, would it? That's why I think it's the full version. But I still
can't determine if it's retail or OEM. After that I exited the installation
and rebooted.

If this indeed is a retail CD, then it might be a good idea for me to retain
a copy of it for future repair purposes. I do not intend to install this CD.
It belongs to someone else. I will be getting an OEM CD when I upgrade my
computer.

 

[Mike Brannigan [MSFT]]

A friend lent me a copy of an XP Pro CD so I could look at some of the
files and run the Upgrade Advisor to determine hardware and software
compatibility and readiness.

He does not know whether it is a retail or OEM CD or whether it is the
full
version or an upgrade. Is there any way to tell by looking at certain
files?
This is a CD-R, not an original Microsoft CD.

I'm assuming it is the full version. I pretended to install it to see if
it
gave me a choice. It asked me whether I wanted to do an upgrade (from
Windows Me) or a clean install. The upgrade version wouldn't give me that
choice, would it? That's why I think it's the full version. But I still
can't determine if it's retail or OEM. After that I exited the
installation
and rebooted.

If this indeed is a retail CD, then it might be a good idea for me to
retain
a copy of it for future repair purposes. I do not intend to install this
CD.
It belongs to someone else. I will be getting an OEM CD when I upgrade my
computer.

You can tell what it is by looking at the disk - if it is an original CD,
if your friend does not have the original CD, why not ? are they using
pirated software ?
..
They are all clearly marked as Windows XP - if OEM then it states so on the
disks.
If it is an upgrade that to is on the disk surface.

Both full and upgrade can be used to do an upgrade.

You should not make a copy of the Retail CD if you are intending to purchase
an OEM one, since you cannot do a repair install with a retail CD to an OEM
install and besides you also mention are about to get an OEM CD so why do
you need someone else's CD ?

--

Regards,

Mike
--
Mike Brannigan [Microsoft]

This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no
rights

Please note I cannot respond to e-mailed questions, please use these
newsgroups

 

[Jane Crystal]

Mike

What a pleasure to hear from someone from Microsoft. Thank you for telling
me that a retail CD will not work to repair an OEM installation. I must have
misunderstood incorrectly in reading other posts in this forum. I thought
the retail CD was better to have for certain repairs and things that the OEM
CD could not do. I guess I'll have to reread those posts. I might not get
an OEM CD after all. It might be better to find a retail copy, though it
will be a lot more expensive. An OEM CD will cost anywhere from $120 to
$199, depending on where I get it. A retail CD will probably be closer to
$300, unless the price has come down.

At least I was able to use my friend's CD to run the Windows XP Upgrade
Advisor. It told me some hardware and software that might not work on XP. I
will see about getting either updated drivers, patches, or later versions
for everything it flagged. Let me make it perfectly clear that I am not a
software pirate and have no intention of installing that CD on my computer.
I have great respect for Microsoft, but IMO they charge far too much for
some of their software. I have a license for everything on my computer that
requires a license. I don't think it's possible to pirate Windows XP anyway.
You'd never be able to activate it, and it would only cause you problems.

My friend did have an original CD, but his ex-wife either took it or
destroyed it out of spite. He does not know. All he has left is the copy,
and it has been on his laptop for years. So far he has not had to reinstall.
Is there no way to tell from the copy whether it is retail, oem, upgrade, or
full version? It would be kind of important for him to know, but he doesn't
remember.

Thank you for telling me that you can upgrade from the full version. Is it
true that you can only do that if you have the retail CD, not if it's an OEM
CD, or am I wrong about that?

Finally, if you have wipe & reformat your hard drive, can you use an upgrade
version if you place a Windows Me CD in the drive to verify you are
eligible, or can you only do that with the full version?

 

[Mike Brannigan [MSFT]]

Hi Jane,

I have put my comments in line with you post below.

Mike

What a pleasure to hear from someone from Microsoft. Thank you for telling
me that a retail CD will not work to repair an OEM installation. I must
have
misunderstood incorrectly in reading other posts in this forum.

You often see the retail CD mentioned to do a repair as it is a way for
users of pirated Windows XP to convert it to a full retail licensed copy.
Both OEM and Retail CDs can do a repair but you cannot do one with the other
(you must use the same sort as you used to install).

I thought
the retail CD was better to have for certain repairs and things that the
OEM
CD could not do.

Nope just a retail can do a clean install or an upgrade - OEM can only do a
clean install

I guess I'll have to reread those posts. I might not get
an OEM CD after all. It might be better to find a retail copy, though it
will be a lot more expensive. An OEM CD will cost anywhere from $120 to
$199, depending on where I get it. A retail CD will probably be closer to
$300, unless the price has come down.

You can use the OEM as long as you understand the limits - no support
directly from Microsoft - yes you still get Service Packs and hotfixes via
Windows Update you just don;t get any free telephone support.
You can move that copy to another machine if the original machine dies (you
can with a Retail one).

At least I was able to use my friend's CD to run the Windows XP Upgrade
Advisor. It told me some hardware and software that might not work on XP.
I
will see about getting either updated drivers, patches, or later versions
for everything it flagged. Let me make it perfectly clear that I am not a
software pirate and have no intention of installing that CD on my
computer.

Great to hear you are doing the right thing in so many ways

I have great respect for Microsoft, but IMO they charge far too much for
some of their software. I have a license for everything on my computer
that
requires a license. I don't think it's possible to pirate Windows XP
anyway.
You'd never be able to activate it, and it would only cause you problems.

My friend did have an original CD, but his ex-wife either took it or
destroyed it out of spite. He does not know. All he has left is the copy,
and it has been on his laptop for years. So far he has not had to
reinstall.
Is there no way to tell from the copy whether it is retail, oem, upgrade,
or
full version? It would be kind of important for him to know, but he
doesn't
remember.

If it is a retail one he will have a yellow sticker somewhere (actually on
the origoinal packaging if he still has it). If it is an OEM one if it can
with the laptop it will have a Certificate of Aucthenticity sticker on the
laptop or on a piece of paper (if you bought it separtely).

I'll see if there is some other way to tell from the CD label (if anyone
else reads this and has the various version OEM Retail and Upgrade can you
post your CD Label - is in the label explorer shows on the CD drive for the
disk when you insert it (not the one the face of the disk label )

Thank you for telling me that you can upgrade from the full version. Is it
true that you can only do that if you have the retail CD, not if it's an
OEM
CD, or am I wrong about that?

Yes only retail full or upgrade can do an upgrade OEM can only do a clean
install

Finally, if you have wipe & reformat your hard drive, can you use an
upgrade
version if you place a Windows Me CD in the drive to verify you are
eligible, or can you only do that with the full version?

Yes it will ask you for the disk part way through the setup


--

Regards,

Mike
--
Mike Brannigan [Microsoft]

This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no
rights

Please note I cannot respond to e-mailed questions, please use these
newsgroups

 

[Al Stu]

Mike (and others),

What is the differences between the types being referred to as "Full
Version", "Retail", "OEM", "Update", etc.?

I have the following, "Operating System Reinstallation CD, Microsoft®
Windows® XP Home Edition, Including Service Pack 1, DELL P/N 5W623". This
CD came with DELL Inspiron 8600, September 2003.

Which type would this be considered to be?

Thanks,

 

[Al Stu]

I'll see if there is some other way to tell from the CD label (if anyone

else reads this and has the various version OEM Retail and Upgrade can you
post your CD Label - is in the label explorer shows on the CD drive for
the disk when you insert it (not the one the face of the disk label )

CD Label From: "Operating System Reinstallation CD, Microsoft®
Windows® XP Home Edition, Including Service Pack 1, DELL P/N 5W623". This
CD came with DELL Inspiron 8600, September 2003.

Is: XPSP1_PER_ENG

 

[Torgeir Bakken \(MVP\)]

Mike (and others),

What is the differences between the types being referred to as "Full
Version", "Retail", "OEM", "Update", etc.?

I have the following, "Operating System Reinstallation CD, Microsoft®
Windows® XP Home Edition, Including Service Pack 1, DELL P/N 5W623". This
CD came with DELL Inspiron 8600, September 2003.

Which type would this be considered to be?

Hi

This is an OEM version of Windows XP.

 

[peter]

Mike answered all your questions I just have a comment
a Retail Upgrade version will not cost you $300.00.......up here in the Great
White North they are $159.00 so in the competetive retail market of the USA they
should sell for a lot less.If you have a CD of a previous OS(95/98/ME?) it will
work the same as a full version.
peter