Where should I buy XP Home?

[weilin]

Cert of Authenticity is like a "receipt" from microsoft as purchase proof that the key is legit. IF you buy a key from ebay, the guy would have easily wrote down his company's corporate key and sold u a disk that the company had lying around when they got 300 dells. It would work fine becuase there is no activation procedure or anything so you wuold never know its fake unles microsoft flags it in thier "genuine advantage." The only way to ensure that you weren't cheated is if you have an actual COA to show the cops when/if they knock on your door. The sticker is to be affixed to your case at all times.

Second, a key oem limitation is that it is bound to one computer meaning you can not move the key from system to system even if you completely wipe the old system. Retail allows for key moval. However, microsoft support is rather lenient on this one and if you say something like the board blew up they will let you have it again.

 

[misry]

...


The restriction to a specific system only applies to the OEM versions of XP that system builders like Dell, HP, et cetera install.
[/list]

-john, the redundant legacy dinosaur

AKA Distribution versions. Thanks for pointing this out so I don't have to. I have no idea where that "tied to the hardware you bought it with" came from but it's thought of as gosspel by more than a few around here.

 

[zjohnr]

all you need to do is stick in any 98 or above disk for a sec. Your 2000 disk should work I believe for and update XP.

Speaking only AFAIK here, which previous copy of Windows XP you get does affect your "upgrade" options.

To be clear there are actually two types of "upgrade" to talk about here.

There is the "upgrade" version of XP versus the "full" version. What matters here is what previous of windows you can prove you own just to be allowed to perform an installation in the first place. The full version doesn't restrict you. But I believe Win98 or ME is required for the XP Home upgrade version and Windows 2000 is required for XP Pro.

There is also the difference between an upgrade installation and a full/new/clean installation. Both the upgrade and the full version of XP should allow you to perform a clean install of XP.

However, if you already have a version of Windows on a PC and want to do an upgrade install ... that is, an installation which attempts to preserve your previous settings and installed programs ... then it also matters which level of XP you purchased. Both the upgrade version of XP and the full version should let you do an upgrade install. But you will only be able to do an upgrade install of XP Home from an already installed copy of Win 98 or ME. If you want to do an upgrade install of a Win 2000 installation, you have to use XP Pro.

The clarity of choice and the ease of use of Windows is why we all love it, no? :roll:

-john, the redundant legacy dinosaur

 

[zjohnr]

Cert of Authenticity is like a "receipt" from microsoft as purchase proof that the key is legit. IF you buy a key from ebay, the guy would have easily wrote down his company's corporate key and sold u a disk that the company had lying around when they got 300 dells. It would work fine because there is no activation procedure or anything so you would never know its fake unless microsoft flags it in their "genuine advantage."

Yes, I understand that when there is no COA you are risking getting an illegal key.

OTOH, when I installed both of the copies of XP Pro retail I got on ebay they both went through activation successfully after I completed the install. And both have also gone through the "genuine advantage" validiation process many times after an installation without any problems.

So I still am not sure what problems you might hit from the lack of a COA. If you can get a valid installation key without the COA, your copy of XP seems to be just as valid as any other. Maybe you can't prove this to a 3D person. But I can live with that so long as Windows Update works and I am able to use MS free email support. (So far I've never been asked for the COA to use MS support ...)

Not trying to argue with you. Just explaining that I really don't see a (practical) difference here (... so long as you do get a valid unused key, of course).

-john, the redundant legacy dinosaur

 

[mad-dog]

I saw that too. Is that coupon for a full version of Vista when it comes out, or a discount coupon?

The coupon that comes with XP has nothing to do with Vista,
it simply entitles a party of 4 to enjoy free chips/salsa with a purchse of $100 or more at the Microsoft employee cafeteria.... :roll:

 

[rick_h]

Ok, I have a delima. At Newegg, I can buy XP home-OEM for $90. But on eBay, from a Highly rated seller, over 94,000 positive ratings Trading-Circuit, for $66. Its the retail upgrade version, does that matter?

Trading-Circuit by the way is owned by Circuit-City.

Also, I will be using it for a new build, so will the Upgrade version work for a new install?

The ebay URL is http://cgi.ebay.com/Microsoft-Windows-XP-Home-Edition-Upgrade-80552998...4_W0QQi

I'm looking to do the same. I can get XP home for $62 through a company discount. However, the better deal is buying XP with an upgrade to Vista coupon for $95 (many people sell this on pricewatch). IMHO- I think this is the bang. Your thoughts?


Rick

 

[Hose]

[/list]"... ■AFAIK, the OEM you purchase separately is not tied to a specific set of hardware. If you change your system you are allowed to remove the OEM XP from the old and install it on the new. The restriction to a specific system only applies to the OEM versions of XP that system builders like Dell, HP, et cetera install.
[/list]

-john, the redundant legacy dinosaur

Nope. This is how Microsoft *intended* it to work... OEM versions are tied to the FIRST mobo they are installed upon. If your mobo burns up and you need to replace it, you also need a NEW copy of WinXP. (A retail version can be moved from one computer to another.)

I don't know how closely Microsoft polices this, but it would be easy to do through Windows Update process.

 

[Hose]

Ok, I have a delima. At Newegg, I can buy XP home-OEM for $90. But on eBay, from a Highly rated seller, over 94,000 positive ratings Trading-Circuit, for $66. Its the retail upgrade version, does that matter?

Trading-Circuit by the way is owned by Circuit-City.

Also, I will be using it for a new build, so will the Upgrade version work for a new install?

The ebay URL is http://cgi.ebay.com/Microsoft-Windows-XP-Home-Edition-Upgrade-80552998...4_W0QQi

FWIW... You might want to buy XP Pro instead, as "support for XP Home will end 2 years after the release of Vista. There will be no 'extended support' for XP Home. Extended Support for XP Pro will continue for 5 years after support for XP Home ends"

That means, there will be support for XP Pro at least until 2014.

 

[zjohnr]

Nope. This is how Microsoft *intended* it to work... OEM versions are tied to the FIRST mobo they are installed upon. If your mobo burns up and you need to replace it, you also need a NEW copy of WinXP. (A retail version can be moved from one computer to another.)

Yes, that's how the urban legend about this goes ... but it's not the case. OEM lacks Microsoft after-market support (no free email support). But it's still a purchased version of windows and just as legal to migrate from set of hardware to another as the retail version.

As a previous poster put it in his reply:

The restriction to a specific system only applies to the OEM versions of XP that system builders like Dell, HP, et cetera install.

AKA Distribution versions. Thanks for pointing this out so I don't have to. I have no idea where that "tied to the hardware you bought it with" came from but it's thought of as gospel by more than a few around here.

The distributions included with a Dell, HP, Compaq and such are different from the "OEM" you can purchase as a stand-alone product. They are the offspring resulting from the tortured couplings of frenzied IP lawyers. This disgusting congenital install deformity is a consequence of the abomination which was their conception.

-john

 

[Guest]

I know how to buy on eBay, thanks for the tips though.

 

[weilin]

no argument, microsoft's system isnt perfect. Everyone knows that.

 

[Guest]

So, my best bet is to buy off Newegg the $90 one with Vista coupon, then resell the coupon on eBay? (JK on the last part.)

I will just buy off Newegg.