WindowsXP OEM V.S WindowsXP Retail

[1dsandtrap]

wants the diffrence between the OEM and the Retail?(besides the huge price diffrence)

[-[MDS]-Stormy]

Re: WindowsXP OEM V.S WindowsXP Retail

No MS support with OEM, you have to be your own tech support.

[Gunny Highway]

Re: WindowsXP OEM V.S WindowsXP Retail

The difference is amount of support you are eligable to recieve from Microsoft.

OEM none or support from where you bought your PC.

Retail and support is from Microsoft.

[1dsandtrap]

Re: WindowsXP OEM V.S WindowsXP Retail

well I am building my own so I would go with the OEM?

[imported_goya]

Re: WindowsXP OEM V.S WindowsXP Retail

wants the diffrence between the OEM and the Retail?(besides the huge price diffrence)

sometimes the oem version does not include all the features, drivers, ect that the retail version does.

sometimes windows xp update does not work with it because it says that you don't have the correct version of windows and you must get your updates from the oem.

i have an ibm laptop and the version of windows that came with it has been modified by ibm. a number of updates, like odbc and microsoft office won't recoginize it and i can't install these updates.

[1dsandtrap]

Re: WindowsXP OEM V.S WindowsXP Retail

sooo is not good to get the OEM?

[DeathFromAbove]

Re: WindowsXP OEM V.S WindowsXP Retail

I hear you could only activate windows ones or twice.Like say you have a computer but the mobo burns out, you buy a new one,install xp it will ask for a new activation code and maybe windows will give you a new ( they most likely will) but if you reinstall windows again (3rd time) they will tell you to stick it up your....you get the point.Thats what happened to me now I have to get xp again IMO everything is the same and yes you could get updates it's just that you cant activate more than 3 times,thats if you change the mobo if the mobo is the same one you could use the same key forever.I would say get the OEM the retail is to much $$ + vista is almost out.

[scott123]

Re: WindowsXP OEM V.S WindowsXP Retail

I hear you could only activate windows ones or twice.Like say you have a computer but the mobo burns out, you buy a new one,install xp it will ask for a new activation code and maybe windows will give you a new ( they most likely will) but if you reinstall windows again (3rd time) they will tell you to stick it up your....you get the point.Thats what happened to me now I have to get xp again IMO everything is the same and yes you could get updates it's just that you cant activate more than 3 times,thats if you change the mobo if the mobo is the same one you could use the same key forever.I would say get the OEM the retail is to much $$ + vista is almost out.

Not correct. I've called Microsoft at least 10 times with the 4 different computers I have. Once you purchase the software its yours, as long as its only used in one computer at a time (yes the lience says different ....I know). The problem is you're telling Microsoft the wrong thing when you have to call them. I simply tell them I added a DVD drive or something like that. The first time I was even stupid enough to tell them the truth (I built a new computer) and they still activated without issue. Microsoft is trying to protect themselves from stealing, not prevent self builders from carrying over a purchased OS to a newly built computer.

[DeathFromAbove]

Re: WindowsXP OEM V.S WindowsXP Retail

Not correct. I've called Microsoft at least 10 times with the 4 different computers I have. Once you purchase the software its yours, as long as its only used in one computer at a time (yes the lience says different ....I know). The problem is you're telling Microsoft the wrong thing when you have to call them. I simply tell them I added a DVD drive or something like that. The first time I was even stupid enough to tell them the truth (I built a new computer) and they still activated without issue. Microsoft is trying to protect themselves from stealing, not prevent self builders from carrying over a purchased OS to a newly built computer.

WTH! and you have the OEM version?I make up some BS too but after the 3rd time they didn't help me! I could not even talk to no one it just said that it could not activate it for me bye...lol

[1dsandtrap]

Re: WindowsXP OEM V.S WindowsXP Retail

ok good cause I really didnt want to spend 300 dollars on XP

[lil_jimmy_norton]

Re: WindowsXP OEM V.S WindowsXP Retail

ok good cause I really didnt want to spend 300 dollars on XP

You sure you're ready to try to build your own?

[imported_mn9500]

Re: WindowsXP OEM V.S WindowsXP Retail

is there anyway to tell if my windows mce is oem or retail. it came with my Hp so would it be OEM?

[lil_jimmy_norton]

Re: WindowsXP OEM V.S WindowsXP Retail

is there anyway to tell if my windows mce is oem or retail. it came with my Hp so would it be OEM?

Yeah it would be OEM.

[imported_mn9500]

Re: WindowsXP OEM V.S WindowsXP Retail

alright, thanks. i dont really need the ms support. i have a 3 yr warranty at compusa.

[fungi]

Re: WindowsXP OEM V.S WindowsXP Retail

OEM means (if my **** poor memory serves me) Official End Manufacturer. Meaning you're building the system and don't care if you get the pretty box, additional software???, and a manual (although sometimes they give this to you ... ask if they do, then decide if it matters). For hardware you usually only get the, for example, let's it's a vid card in an anti static bag with the driver CD, maybe a plain box and sometimes a manual.

As for support, even with the retail version, you have to register and often pay for one on one phone support. Usually you're left to your own devices ... i.e. their website, email, forums and friends.

Might check with compusa to see if it voids your waranty somehow. Maybe they have a good deal for you to upgrade? Not familiar with their computers so unsure if they have proprietary drivers and such for XP (thinking of the horrors dealing with Compaqs). Edit: like goya said above w/ his ibm laptop

Best of luck in your upgrade