XP home......OEM or Retail???

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fanfuzz

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Mar 6, 2007
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Whats the difference??? I just want to install an OS on my daughter's system (I'm building). There seems to be big price differences just looking at XP home.

I thought I should stay with retail because I have so little expertise and thought the package would be more complete (less for me to be expected to know).

Any input??? Thanks
 
I use OEM all the time and have reinstalled after major upgrades and never had an issue. Be aware that with OEM the Key is on the shrink wrap so it's best to take it of and put it on the card board the CD is attached to. I think the difference is with the license but as I said it's never been an issue with major upgrades.
 
Yes I saw that in one of your earlier post's. One thing I noticed when reading the blurb about some of the os's was, it sounded like you have to show microsoft that you just bought a system.

Did you??? How do you go about that??? Do they not allow you to use your software if you don't???

I would like to save the money if it's no big deal.

Thanks for the input........Kent
 
I've alway just told them I had to put in a new hard drive, RAM, and CPU and they activate it. I just always tell them the same thing. I'm only using it on one machine and I paid for it so I figure I have a right to use it. An attorney might disagree. In a nutshell there is no difference between Retail and OEM, using it in a different machine if it's not running on another machine may violate the license but not sure, and if it does violate the license can you live with being an out law? 😀
 
would they sweat me if I told them it's going in a new build? I realize you probally don't know if you always told them the rebuild thing. just thought I'd ask.
Thanks
 
would they sweat me if I told them it's going in a new build? I realize you probally don't know if you always told them the rebuild thing. just thought I'd ask.
Thanks
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The first time you install it you just activate it on line like the retail version. The only time you have to call to activate it is if there is major hardware changes If you're just doing a fresh install on the machine it's originally installed on, you can do activation on line. If you call to activate, they just ask if it's running on another machine. The person that does the activation could care less why you're installing it. They have the questions they are supposed to ask, they ask and give you the activation number. People really seem to think it's a lot more than it is.
 
Thanks q-paw that clears it up for me and will save bucks.

be talkin to you sometime I'm sure. (I know I will get lost during this build but this forum will save me)
 
I had the same concerns the first time I bought an OEM version of Windows. OEM means just that, it's Windows for a mfg of computers, which when building you are, but once it's built and installed you become the consumer and as long as the OS isn't pirated, Microsoft has no reason to mess with you the consumer. If you haven't purchased the mobo yet, I would suggest you check out the manual on any board you're thinking of buying, most provide very good instructions. It's also a good idea to have a second computer handy and have the on-line manual from the mfg Web site up because the pictures are much bigger and so easier to use. In addition to reading the instructions and taking my time, my rule of thumb is that if I think I need to use a hammer, I'm doing something wrong. 😀
 
There are only two major differences:

1) OEM copies don't offer free telephone support options.
2) OEM licenses are tied to the computer they are installed on. If you sell that computer, technically that copy of Windows is supposed to be sold with it.

Microsoft won't ask you how you came across your OEM copy... they will just want to make sure it's only installed on the one computer. There's the odd time when they may ask if this copy of Windows came with your computer, to which you just reply "yes" and that's all.
 
I had the same concerns the first time I bought an OEM version of Windows. OEM means just that, it's Windows for a mfg of computers, which when building you are, but once it's built and installed you become the consumer and as long as the OS isn't pirated, Microsoft has no reason to mess with you the consumer. If you haven't purchased the mobo yet, I would suggest you check out the manual on any board you're thinking of buying, most provide very good instructions. It's also a good idea to have a second computer handy and have the on-line manual from the mfg Web site up because the pictures are much bigger and so easier to use. In addition to reading the instructions and taking my time, my rule of thumb is that if I think I need to use a hammer, I'm doing something wrong. 😀
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Excellent information bud!
I am in the same boat, newbie build here, bought XP Pro O/S on Craigslist here (Hawaii) oem version for $80. New, still in shrink wrap with verification sticker.
Plz. be honest, was this a good deal? Realize too that living in the middle of the Pacific ocean has it's drawbacks, i.e. shipping costs..... 8O
 
Last 2 OEM XP, not Pro versions, I bought were $90 so you got a hell of deal. If you haven't noticed, the sticker on the shrink wrap with the Key on it is a sticker so suggest you put the sticker on the cardboard the CD is attached to. Also mark it so you know what computer it goes with because building computers is addictive and you'll likely be building another one in the not too distant future. 😀
 
Last 2 OEM XP, not Pro versions, I bought were $90 so you got a hell of deal. If you haven't noticed, the sticker on the shrink wrap with the Key on it is a sticker so suggest you put the sticker on the cardboard the CD is attached to. Also mark it so you know what computer it goes with because building computers is addictive and you'll likely be building another one in the not too distant future. 😀
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HAHAHA!
So very true bud, have not even got my MOBO in from Newegg yet and already looking at other MOBOS!
No, I am not the sultan of Sheba.....lol, but as you say, so very addictive, and, presently, the reason for matrimonial non bliss here in the household....
"But honey, this thing will do everything!!!"
Will keep you posted as to how the build progresses, even if I do have to bunk with Fido! :roll:
 
Somethings I found that at least work with my wife who complained I spent all my time on a computer. Convinced her she needed a laptop, which she could keep in the kitchen and use while cooking and watching TV, the kitchen looks into the family room, and we can take on vacations. She's now on it all the time so no more I'm on a computer all the time because I point out she is to. She'll be retiring in the fall and starting a business and decided she needed a desktop, a new build. Decided a couple of the grandkids needed computers for "homework" so fix upped old one's but they had to be replaced for when they visited, didn't want them using mine because viruses and other malware follow kids. If you have kids, a good reason to built them one md they're never to young for a computer, She wanted me to transfer analogue camcorder tapes to DVD and really can't do anything else when capturing or burning plus analogue won't auto stop at end of recording like digital will and was using an old machine that is terminally ill. She agrees it needs rebuilt. Hopefully, she won't see this, it could be disastrous if non geek significant others new about this kind of manipulation. 😀 Let me know how the build goes. If you run into any problems, will be glad to try and help.
 
Mahalo (thanks in Hawaiian) g-paw.
Lol......you might be sorry that you offered to help with this build. I have been known to make a pest of myself.
You see, I am just a lowly Firefighter 3 here in Honolulu with the county fire dept., and an aspiring geek.....
I actually am one of the marine engineers assigned to the states only fireboat, the Moku Ahi, (which, literally translates to fireboat!).
I do have mechanical, hydraulic and electrical background under my belt, with some electronics thrown in too.
This is what I am looking at so far:

Thermotake Tsunami case-2 120 mm fans
Gigabyte GA-M59SLI-S5 mobo
AMD 64X2 6400 cpu
Antec True-Power Trio 650 W psu
Zalman 9700 LED cpu cooler
4 Patriot PC2 6400 1GB ram
ATI Radeon X1650 Pro graphics

I well intend to take my time with this build, past experience with building anything in haste only leads to disaster and frustration.
Matter of fact, leaving the hse. soon to buy some cable sleeving, gonna sleeve all the leads on the psu.
What do you think of this build?

Aloha,
mokume1 8)
 
Mahalo (thanks in Hawaiian) g-paw.
Lol......you might be sorry that you offered to help with this build. I have been known to make a pest of myself.
You see, I am just a lowly Firefighter 3 here in Honolulu with the county fire dept., and an aspiring geek.....
I actually am one of the marine engineers assigned to the states only fireboat, the Moku Ahi, (which, literally translates to fireboat!).
I do have mechanical, hydraulic and electrical background under my belt, with some electronics thrown in too.
This is what I am looking at so far:

Thermotake Tsunami case-2 120 mm fans
Gigabyte GA-M59SLI-S5 mobo
AMD 64X2 6400 cpu
Antec True-Power Trio 650 W psu
Zalman 9700 LED cpu cooler
4 Patriot PC2 6400 1GB ram
ATI Radeon X1650 Pro graphics

I well intend to take my time with this build, past experience with building anything in haste only leads to disaster and frustration.
Matter of fact, leaving the hse. soon to buy some cable sleeving, gonna sleeve all the leads on the psu.
What do you think of this build?

Aloha,
mokume1 8)
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Always wanted a job working on a boat but tough to find them in central Ohio especially when your only sailing experience is in a row boat. What are you going to be using the computer for and what is budget, e.g., do you have a camcorder, be doing things with video, gaming, if gaming, which ones, do you want to do serious overclocking? This is what determines your build. Right now Intel CPUs are out performing AMD, not an Intel fanbory, all my machines with the exception of one that is terminally ill, are AMD. If your on a tight budget, AMD is the way to go but if you have around $800 plus probably Intel would be better. You can put an Intel together for less than $800, I just think you'd end up with a better AMD be;pw this price point. Sure there will some people that disagree. Check out this CPU chart. Compare based on programs that you'll use or you'll use similar programs.

http://www23.tomshardware.com/cpu.html
 
Whats the difference??? I just want to install an OS on my daughter's system (I'm building). There seems to be big price differences just looking at XP home.

I thought I should stay with retail because I have so little expertise and thought the package would be more complete (less for me to be expected to know).

Any input??? Thanks
Click to expand...
Personally, considering the price differential, I bought XP SP2, OEM. It's working fine on my computer and I have a two installs on my computer. Be careful that you have enough HD memory. Each of them takes over 8 gigs.
 
Im still using Win 2k, and was thinking of changing to XP, since a lot of the newer MMOs will require it. I dont want to go to Vista because I hear its a memory hog, and MMOs require lots of memory as it is.

I normally use 2 pcs behind a router, so for this Id have to have 2 copies of OEM?
Would it be better just to use 1 copy of retail, so I can use it on both machines?
 
Good choice on not upgrading to vista. It will take a while for the hardware manufacturers to catch up with driver support (which is unforgivable considering how long the betas and RCs were out ),if the XP launch is anything to go by.

If you are using 2 computers doesn't matter if it is retail or OEM. You will need 2 licenses (2 copies) therefore better to go for the OEM (cheaper)
 
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