My computer is eight years old and came with ME. I want to get XP Home. I will be putting together a new computer shortly. From what I understand the OEM Home version cannot be transferred to another computer, so when I put together another computer six months from now and another computer years from now I won't be able to use XP on them because I won't be able to either transfer Home from my existing computer, and I won't be able to purchase XP Home, correct? The retail Home version is transferable to other motherboards, but I'm hesitant about the XP Home retail upgrade version because someone said that it's better to do a clean install of XP rather than an upgrade especially upgrading from ME. Is this true and if so why? I don't want the XP Home full retail version because it costs twice as much as either the upgrade retail or full OEM. I want to stick with XP way into the future because of all the criticism of Vista. Is my concern about vista warranted, and should I try to stick with XP? Also, since I will always only use my computer for very basic stuff like surfing the Net, typing Word documents, watching videos on Youtube, etc. is there any reason for me to get XP Pro instead of XP Home? Thanks for any replies.

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The XP Retail upgrade is transferable to another computer and you don't have to an in-place install.

You can do a clean install to a blank hard disk if you wish. At some point you will be asked to insert a qualifying CD which in this case with be a full retail version of ME. I am not so sure that an OEM version of ME will qualify for an upgrade although I have an upgrade version of XP and use an OEM version of Windows NT as the qualifiying disk.

XP Home will be enough for you. The only people that really need XP professional are those connecting to corporate networks. Most of the differences are to do with networks and network security which doesn't really apply in a home environment.

Stuart

I believe the link below will answer all your questions.

Microsoft has not enforced any ruling about migrating an OEM version to a new system. Although the EULA does state that is the case. Gamers change hardware very often. There is one poster here that has changed his hardware so often he must call to re-activate. Still they do re-activate. I can't tell you that you will be able to install a full OEM version of WinXP home on a new system in the future but I am fairly confident that would be the case.

At any rate in 18/24 months Windows7 will be out and you may want to use it. Below is a second link to OEM home from a good vendor.

http://www.mvps.org/marksxp/Windows...

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...

edit

One other note is that going from ME to XP should be done as a clean install. Backup your files and reformat using NTFS. Or add a second drive and leave the old drive intact.

Here is a second link that went through Pricewatch.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...