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I am currently purchasing products for my new computer that I'm going to build. I have a question. On newegg.com they have: Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition with Service Pack 1 - OEM Full Version - for $93.00 . Is this really the full version because the price seems so low for a full version of an OS, even if it is an OEM. Plus would this be the only OS I would have to buy or would this just be an upgrade to, for say Win. 98. The URl for the product is: http://www.newegg.com/app/viewproduct.asp?description=37-102-014&DEPA=6
Thanks
It's the full version (not an upgrade). OEM = Original Equipment Manufacturer. You will have to buy hardware, as stipulated on that page you posted. The bad thing with buying it is that you cannot return it (only exchange for another copy).
Also, Microsoft, I once read, made a big stink about deals like this. They exclaimed not to purchase software deals like this (Microsoft would not support such copies, and they asserted something to the effect of piracy, but I forgot what it was).
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That price is very cheap!I've heard from a local computer tech that the OEM disc would cost around $400.00.I'd be very leery of that "too good to be true" deal.Regards.JB
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No, This is not expensive. One can purchase an OEM copy of XP, be it PRO or Home with the purchase of hardware. My copy of XP Pro OEM cost me around 140.00 with the purchase of a bag of screws. Screws are hardware and cheap but it was legal. So to get XP home for such price, as long as you get some type of hardware with it. Go for it.
KTTD
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KTTD bet me to it. Theres nothing ilegal about it at all. MS makes deals with computer makers to provide them with a cheaper copy of windows to use with new computers.
The "rule" is you have to buy hardware to get the OEM disk. At ebay people ship it with burnt out modems or dead hd's to get around the goofy rule.
$400.00? Someone over paid.
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Get Linux. For almost everything u can want to do, linux has an almost zero learning curve. Plus you get a full featured operating System for FREE! Check out Mandrake or Redhat.
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Bucks: definitely check with Microsoft before buying (regarding legality). If you don't care, there is something you might want to think over...
If you don't like home edition of XP, you are stuck with it (that site says no exchanges or something to that effect).
XP issues to be aware about before buying...Negative Issues:
1) It comes, as is, with a host of vulnerabilities (but service pack 1 will take care of them all for you). There are, of course, other means to fix these problems.
2) XP is lousy when it comes to playing old games (even with compatibility mode).
3) Some of your old computer hardware may not provide drivers for XP (if this si the case, expect to buy new hardware).
4) Some application software you run may not be compatible with XP, and you will have to upgrade or find other products to replace those.
Positive Issues:1) In my opinion, XP is much faster to start up than any other OS Microsoft has ever released.
2) XP is far more stable than any other Microsoft OS I have used (including Windows 2000 Pro).
A few other personal reasons why I like it. If you get it, take the items I listed and others you can think of into account before making your decision whether or not to buy it.
Is it a good price? For me, no; the risk is not worth the price. If you do not like it, or replacing hardware is out fo the question if it needs to be replaced, then you are stuck with a $93 CD.
First thing I would do is list out all of your hardware that needs drivers (good chance XP will autoload drivers through its hardware compatibliity list, but this does not always happen). Go to each and every manufacturer's website and see if they have XP-compatible drivers. If they do not then you have to ask yourself, do you want to buy a new whatever so you can run XP.
Good luck.
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P.S. Download the XP drivers and burn them to a CD before installing XP. If for example, your modem's driver isn't updated automatically by XP, and your driver disk doesn't have XP compatible drivers, you are screwed unless you can go to a friends and get the drivers (or have the company send you the drivers via snail mail.
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About Linux,
I agree that it does everything you can think of. It has the ability to do everything windows can do and maybe more. Both of them do way more than i need.
The learning curve part.. I disagree about this. Im not an expert about anything computer related yet i can easily operate any version of windows. Linux is a mystery for the most part. Most of the problem is i started with windows 95 so switching over is harder than it sounds unless your ready to chuck all your windows experience and start over.
Also.. FREE? Yes you can get free versions of Linux but its not free. You can either spend $40 and get the disks and manual or get ready to do some downloading and burning. Dialup users could be online for days trying to first locate then get the OS and all the packages. Add on a few more days getting it installed. Besides.. whats $40? It helps support the Linux companies and you get a big thick manual & free tech suport calls.
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WHAT IS THE DIFFERERNCE BETWEEN AN OEM AND RETAIL WINDOWS XP - READ ON.
Building & Selling Full Windows PCs
If you install an OEM version of Microsoft Windows code onto the hard disk drive of a PC, then you must:
preinstall the software using the OEM Preinstallation Kit ("OPK") supplied as part of the Multi-Pack;
affix the COA label supplied with that Microsoft Windows progam as part of the Multi-Pack to the PC chassis; and
supply the PC with all associated components, media and documentation forming part of the Software Unit for the Microsoft Windows program, including:
-Original Media/Disks
-End User License Agreement (EULA): Depending on the product, the EULA may be provided in hard copy or online as a part of the initial boot up process.
-all other documentation, including any user manuals supplied as part of the Software Unit.You must not sell, distribute, copy or modify the OPK disk or instructions.
OEM versions of Microsoft Windows may be sold with a non-peripheral piece of computer hardware. A non-peripheral device is something essential to the running of the PC. It is not an auxiliary, or supplementary device. It is not a mouse, keyboard, monitor, printer cable or power cord. It can be a Motherboard, CPU, Hard Drive or Power supply.
The EULA for OEM versions of Microsoft Windows provides that the License cannot be transferred to a different PC. If a customer brings in their own OEM Windows CD from an existing PC, you must not install that program on a new PC, as the software is not licensed for use on a new PC . OEM Windows licenses are granted only for the life of the PC on which the program was originally installed. Retail Windows license can be transferred from one PC to another in accordance with the terms of the EULA.
The only version of Microsoft OEM operating systems to have downgrade rights is Windows XP Professional. In accordance with the EULA, this downgrade right allows a purchaser of Windows XP Professional to use an earlier version of Microsoft Windows. For example, a customer acquires an OEM Windows XP Pro license with a new PC. This customer can remove Windows XP Pro and install an earlier version of Windows - under the EULA the customer is licensed to run the earlier version of Windows.
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Thanks everyone. I will be purchasing a piece of hardware (motherboard and Ram)so I think I'll go for it. Thanks again
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