XP PRO install/use/register???-OEM vs Full retail??

[K-dog]

I will be getting another computer shortly, (w/ NO O.S.)
and want to install XP PRO. I have many questions.

1)What to buy?...I see OEM, full oem, full retail. What
is the pro and cons for using or buying each? Which is
better?

2)Is a "full oem" version the same software as a full
retail?

3)Can I put XP on my new comp and then again on a third
one that I plan to buy a month later?

4)What is all the hype about registering. Can I install
and use the full software without registering w/Microsoft?

5)Can you still do live update without registering?

6)If I'm not allowed to use it on more than one computer,
that's fine, but how will they know? I ask this not so
much to use one copy for a million computers but in
curiosity on HOW Microsoft would KNOW...are they allowed
or have ways where they look into your computer (snoop)
and "verify" things??

7)If I buy a copy from EBAY or somewhere, what happens if
they lied about it not being registered. A friend told me
that it wouldn't matter as long as I just use it without
registering it. Is that true. How can I know if I have a
legal copy without necessarily letting Microsoft know
which copy I have?

8)If I want to also install Office pro 2003 do I need to
buy 3 copies for 3 home computers? That would be $1500
and seems a bit much (to put it nicely) for one poor soul
to put it on all his personal computers.

 

[Michael Stevens]

I will be getting another computer shortly, (w/ NO O.S.)
and want to install XP PRO. I have many questions.

1)What to buy?...I see OEM, full oem, full retail. What
is the pro and cons for using or buying each? Which is
better?

See the links below.

2)Is a "full oem" version the same software as a full
retail?

Functionally yes, but it has restrictions on usage.

3)Can I put XP on my new comp and then again on a third
one that I plan to buy a month later?

Yes, if you purchase a license for each computer.

4)What is all the hype about registering.

Don't know any hype about reregistering, what have you heard?

Can I install and use the full software without registering w/Microsoft?

Yes, you don't ever need to register.

5)Can you still do live update without registering?

Yes, but not without activating.

6)If I'm not allowed to use it on more than one computer,
that's fine, but how will they know? I ask this not so
much to use one copy for a million computers but in
curiosity on HOW Microsoft would KNOW...are they allowed
or have ways where they look into your computer (snoop)
and "verify" things??

By telling them, and you would not be able to continue setup on more than
one computer without agreeing to the terms of the EULA.
They do not have an activation compliance squad, but that may change.

7)If I buy a copy from EBAY or somewhere, what happens if
they lied about it not being registered. A friend told me
that it wouldn't matter as long as I just use it without
registering it. Is that true. How can I know if I have a
legal copy without necessarily letting Microsoft know
which copy I have?

You could have an expensive coaster, you never need to do the optional
regeristration, but you have to activate within 30 days.

8)If I want to also install Office pro 2003 do I need to
buy 3 copies for 3 home computers? That would be $1500
and seems a bit much (to put it nicely) for one poor soul
to put it on all his personal computers.

Yes, unless one is a laptop. You would only need to purchase 2 then.


So many questions you ask and all have been answered a thousand times in
this newsgroup already. Set up a newsreader and do a search for your
questions. See my signature for tips to setup OE newsreader, you will find
answers much faster by searching than asking and waiting.

For a few of your questions:
Click on the links below, or copy and paste the links into the address box
if using the web based newsgroup.
OEM
http://michaelstevenstech.com/xpfaq.html#can3
OEM clarification.
http://michaelstevenstech.com/oemeula.htm
Move XP to new hardware.
http://michaelstevenstech.com/moving_xp.html
More info on XP activation.
http://aumha.org/win5/a/wpa.htm
--

Michael Stevens MS-MVP XP
(e-mail address removed)
http://michaelstevenstech.com
For a better newsgroup experience. Setup a newsreader.
http://michaelstevenstech.com/outlookexpressnewreader.htm

 

[Gary Tait]

I will be getting another computer shortly, (w/ NO O.S.)
and want to install XP PRO. I have many questions.

1)What to buy?...I see OEM, full oem, full retail. What
is the pro and cons for using or buying each? Which is
better?


2)Is a "full oem" version the same software as a full
retail?

With the OEM versions you can install a particular license only on the
first computer is is installed on. If that computer dies or is sold,
the license goes with it. Retail versions can be transferred to future
PCs. Also, with retail, you get a certain degree of support from MS,
with OEM, the intent is support comes from the manufacturer.

3)Can I put XP on my new comp and then again on a third
one that I plan to buy a month later?

If you buy additional licenses

4)What is all the hype about registering. Can I install
and use the full software without registering w/Microsoft?

There is two things, Activation, whichis mandatory, and registration,
which is optional. Activation essentially ties your license to your
harware configuration, in a database an MS. You are given 30 days to
activate, after which the OS does nothing but asking you to activate.

Registration is totally optional, and you lose nothing by not
registering.

5)Can you still do live update without registering?
Yes.

6)If I'm not allowed to use it on more than one computer,
that's fine, but how will they know? I ask this not so
much to use one copy for a million computers but in
curiosity on HOW Microsoft would KNOW...are they allowed
or have ways where they look into your computer (snoop)
and "verify" things??

Not to sure, but the activation system hs something to do with
preventing it.

7)If I buy a copy from EBAY or somewhere, what happens if
they lied about it not being registered. A friend told me
that it wouldn't matter as long as I just use it without
registering it. Is that true. How can I know if I have a
legal copy without necessarily letting Microsoft know
which copy I have?

You don't have to register, just activate. If you want to illegally
use licences, welll, that is up to you.

8)If I want to also install Office pro 2003 do I need to
buy 3 copies for 3 home computers? That would be $1500
and seems a bit much (to put it nicely) for one poor soul
to put it on all his personal computers.

Yes you would. If cost is a concern, get Open Office or such, for
free.