Which windows?

[sackynut]

I need some opinions and answers;
so when I finish my shuttle im going to get a new copy of windows and use it on the shuttle and use it to reformat my old computer and get a new BIOS in there (but i need to reformat anyway).

i was just going to get OEM windows xp with SP 2 for 90$, but I heard the OEM is locked to your mobo and if you get a new one it wont work for some stupif license thing. so If I am going to get something else I might as well make it good.
so what do you think:
OEM windows xp sp2 (locked to mobo) 90$
windows media center edition 114$
windwos xp pro x64 bit 140$
??.

now for the other questions
1. if the OEM windwos is locked to mobo, that means u cant switch out the mobo on the computer u installed it on, but if I install it on one computer (my shuttle), could I still use the disk to install it on the other? or when I try to register it would there be a problem?

2. if an application is not x64 compatible, and I try to use it on windows x64, will it still work? are there programs that dont work just because they arent x64?

3. if that oem mobo thing is true for windows OEM regular, is it true for the other ones?
thanks!

[Flanker]

Re: Which windows?

Win95 FTW.

[Sir. MatDef]

Re: Which windows?

Win95 FTW.

Psshhh, it's all about ME. :laugh:

1. oem and retail are basically the same, only diff is price (someone correct me if I'm wrong).

2.You answered your own question. If it's not x64 compatible, it's not going to work.

3.oem is oem, no matter the type of windows. So yes.

[Sir. S.A.S]

Re: Which windows?

i buy all my windows OEM and never had a problem. With swapping mobos about!

[BoloMarkXXX]

Re: Which windows?

Windows x64 has no problem running x32 apps, the deal with x64 is finding x64 device drivers. Most major devices are now supported (mobo's, mice, vid & sound cards) its other perifrial devices that are lag'n behind like (printers & web cams).

Windows x64 is a great OS (Stable server coded workstation OS) but I do not recomend it for anyone to use as a sole OS.
I have 2 boxes, 1 x32 and 1 x64, even though I rarely use my x32 box anymore I'n not stuck if'n I need it.

[Eden]

Re: Which windows?

now for the other questions
1. if the OEM windwos is locked to mobo, that means u cant switch out the mobo on the computer u installed it on, but if I install it on one computer (my shuttle), could I still use the disk to install it on the other? or when I try to register it would there be a problem?
The OEM version is exactly the same as the commercial version expet no fancy box or manual

2. if an application is not x64 compatible, and I try to use it on windows x64, will it still work? are there programs that dont work just because they arent x64?
All 32bit programs will work on XP64, the only thing you will have to do is download the drivers for your hardware as they tend not to come with the hardwares driver CD. you can check out www.planetamd64.com for info on 64bit drivers, programs, etc.

3. if that oem mobo thing is true for windows OEM regular, is it true for the other ones? There is no "mobo lock" on your operating system. ALL versions of XP, OEM or not only allow you to install on one computer. you can install XP (anyversion) about 3 times I think.

If you want to get by that you need to get the corporate version.
thanks!

[sackynut]

Re: Which windows?

thanks for all the answers! Eden you said you can install XP about 3 times??? how does it keep record?

[Eden]

Re: Which windows?

On there server I think. When you install it the activation (unknowingly btw) sends your computer information to there servers.

I think its suposed to use some sort of points based system, if you reinstall on new hardware it will let you depending on what bits of hardware have been replace.

Never really did look into it much because ive never had a problem with it

[Sir. S.A.S]

Re: Which windows?

ive reinstalled windows enough on this machine lol to know its definatly 3 times and ringing microsoft in the UK is hard work as they dont understand a damn thing u say lol!

[lil_jimmy_norton]

Re: Which windows?

Win95 FTW.

Win 3.0 was better.

[signa]

Re: Which windows?

Win 3.0 was better.

I have windows 2.1 if he wants to borrow that. :p

[lonegunm4n]

Re: Which windows?

I have windows 2.1 if he wants to borrow that. :p

First computer game I ever played was an old Sesame Street spelling game! I still have the original floppy!

[Sir. MatDef]

Re: Which windows?

On there server I think. When you install it the activation (unknowingly btw) sends your computer information to there servers.

I think its suposed to use some sort of points based system, if you reinstall on new hardware it will let you depending on what bits of hardware have been replace.

Never really did look into it much because ive never had a problem with it

I believe if you let it sit for 120 days without any major hardware changes then you can install it on a new machine.

[scrogathon]

Re: Which windows?

I believe if you let it sit for 120 days without any major hardware changes then you can install it on a new machine.

roger that.

[sackynut]

Re: Which windows?

i always wondered, if the info is stored in the server... and you have to activate it in 30 days.... how do you activate it without internet. because I KNOW there are people and computer with windows xp without internet. how does that work? just wondering, it doesnt pertain to me.