XP PRO - Worth the money?

[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.

 

[Guest]

http://www.9software.com/shopexd.asp?id=620 all in all
the best deal

 

[Chris Lanier]

Greetings

1) The OEM version has the following disadvantages:

1. Its license ties it permanently to the first computer it's
installed on. It can never legally be moved to another computer,
sold, or given away.

2. It can only do a clean installation, not an upgrade.

3. Microsoft provides no support for OEM versions. You have to
get any needed support from your OEM, and that may range anywhere
between good and non-existent.

Assuming a generic OEM version, rather than one customized by a
specific OEM, in all other respects they are the same.

[Courtesy of Ken Blake]

2)No, Read the answer to #1
3)No, One Licence=One PC. Its always beent his way, nothing new.
4) Registration is optional, Activation is required after 30 days or the
software will not work.
5) "Live Update" is a feature of Nortons Products, you may still get Windows
Updates, but again after 30 without activating you PC will not let you log
in.
6) Activation is how they know, once again, you dont activate you dont get
to use Windows for more then 30days.
7) They lie, your lose. the software might not activate and you are out the
money you spent for it.
8) The licence for Office 2003 allows you to install on one desktop and one
laptop. If you want to install it on 3 desktops you need 3 copies. Once
again this is nothing new.