Windows XP purchasing help needed

Alright, the other day I formatted my hard drive and installed my (pirate) copy of XP professional onto it. Unfortunately, those clever folks at Microsoft have figured out my copy isn't genuine and have stopped me downloading updates with that genuine advantage tool. So now I'm looking into buying a proper copy of XP, only I don't understand the differences between Home and Professional, but Home is cheaper so I'm probably going to go for that. The problem is, all the prices and versions are confusing the hell out of me. To buy the full version of Home costs about £170 no matter where I get it from, but then there are 'Upgrade' packs which only cost about £90, but I don't know if buying one of those would be any good for my situation. To muddy the waters further, there are sites selling Windows XP Home (OEM) for about £70, but I have no idea what OEM means, how it is different to the full copy, or what the difference is between the upgrade and the original.

Can someone please just tell me what I have to do to get this whole mess cleared up, stop being a thieving criminal and get the flipping updates, please?

 

OEM: Original Equipment Manufacturer. The original manufacturer of a hardware component or sub-component.

IIRC the upgrade packs are if you're upgrading to XP from an older operating system. Since you're starting fresh with XP, it would probably be best to get the full copy.

Here's a comparison chart for Home and Pro:
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/home/howtobuy/choosing2.mspx

Basically, unless you're going to run a network, Home would be a good choice.

 

And OEM would be a less expensive option than retail. Retail means that you are entitled to support from MicroSoft, while OEM means that the system builder is relied on for support, or forums such as MG!

 

Here in Australia, XP Pro SP2 upgrade is selling for less than AUD$100 (around £40 ) at our Harvey Norman stores.

You could probably get a copy from www.harveynorman.com.au , over the Net.
Postage to the UK would not be too much. A hell of a lot cheaper than the UK prices you mention.

Link to XP Pro.
http://www.harveynorman.com.au/searchProduct.tho?searchText=XP+Pro

Disclaimer:- Remember this is for sale in OZ, I don't know how suitable it will be for the UK.

As long as you "are a licenced user" of any MS OS from W98 upwards, it will / should work. That was how I first got XP Pro, for my old laptop.

Bazza

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So even though it's a pirate copy, I could still just purchase the upgrade pack and that would mean I'd get access to the updates?

For the OEM version, is it a completely full copy of XP then? I would never get support from Microsoft anyway, so apart from that it's complete?

 

It is NOT an OEM copy, but a genuine 100% Microsoft product in a Microsoft box.
I have the box sitting in front of me now.

It quotes "Academic price. Not for use in a commercial environment. "
"Attention! The enclosed program will search your hard disk and/or CD to confirm your eligibility for this upgrade. The software will install only if you are a licensed user of one of the follwing products.." And goes to on to list all OS from W98 onwards. Bazza

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In order to use an upgrade disc, you would need a legitimate copy of a previous version of Windows (95, 98, 98SE, ME, 2000, NT). It will simply ask you to pop in the old version during install for verification. It is otherwise a full copy of Windows XP.

OEM, as has been stated, allows you to get updates, but you would have to pay for MS support. (not a big deal to me since I would also not call MS for support)

 

More help has already been given than I've ever seen before to a user/member that admits to having a pirated OS. If your OS has already been detected as not being authentic, then I doubt that an upgrade package will help you. Two most inexpensive options would be an "Upgrade XP" home or pro, or an OEM version of either. Please don't be surprised if a moderator or administrator shuts this thread down, as such discussions aren't allowed on this board.

 

Liam admitted upfront that he had an illegal copy and wanted to go "legit".
That is the only reason why I tried to assist, and probably why the moderators have not shut it down, IMHO. Bazza

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Yeah, I'm trying to go straight chief, just think of me as Al Pacino in Carlito's Way. I don't wanna live the life of a vagabond anymore, and I really do appreciate all the help you folks are lending.

Back on topic, it seems from what you guys are saying that the upgrade is out of the question, but the OEM still seems pretty appealing. I assume I'll still have access to the updates from the microsoft website, so why is an OEM version so much cheaper than the 'proper' version which costs upwards of £170? They can't charge you that much extra just so you can make free phone calls to them, surely?

 

The upgrade option isn't out of the question, if you have a previous MicroSoft OS CD - Win95 - Win2000, although it would be a better option to do a clean installation. And yes the difference between OEM and Retail, is being allowed to call MicroSoft for support. My apologizes to you and bigbazza! Have a nice 4th.

 

I've only got the one version of Windows so the upgrade isn't an option anymore, but the OEM option is looking really good right now. I'm guessing whichever one I pick, another format and a fresh installation would probably be the best course of action.

 

Buy a legal copy of Win98 or Win98SE from ebay or your local computer shop or visit the opportunity shops or garage sales or PC trading magazines.
You should be able to pick up a legal copy, with genuine CD, for next to nothing.

Have that handy when you install XP.

This will save you many £ 's. Hope this helps. Bazza

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Upgrading with WXP from an earlier OS has caused a lot of people a lot of grief due to comflicts, driver issues, and what appear to be "bad overwrites". I have solved several over the years personally by simply installing to a clean HDD for different people.
Also, WXP Pro is a much better value than Home, IF you are moderately sophisticated as a user. If you are not, or if you have no need for extra security tools like Group Policy Editor, then Home is an adequate choice.

Finally, I have purchased seven WXP discs over the years, all for no more than $16 each (WXP Pro). My secret? Academic versions from the local University. These are complete, unadulterated copies of WXP and include MS support. In fact, my last purchase this past spring included a copy of 2003 Server edition in the package-though I think this was a special offering of the school, and I don't expect to get that lucky again....

 

A lot of the "Academic versions" that The Prisioner mentioned have what are called time bombs in them, meaning the will stop working after 6 or 12 months. You can then reinstall and go another 6 or 12 months but it's kind of a hassel. Not all "Academic versions" have it but most do.

From what I have read here I would say the OEM version would be your least expensive option. You might check eBay or PriceWatch but make sure they are selling the media and the COA together.

 

Again, this is a common MISCONCEPTION, that you would need to upgrade from a previous OS. In Fact there is no need at all to install the old OS first. (not trying to be rude, just clarifying).

an Upgrade disc is a FULL Windows XP disc, that only requires a validation step, where it prompts you to insert another valid Windows OS, then pops it back out and proceeds with windows installation. 1 small extra step during a clean reformat, lots of money saved.

 

Oh yes, you are correct in your description of the process. However, upgrading has indeed caused a lot of people a lot of problems-again, I have seen and rectified it personally multiple times. I am not technically savvy enough to know why (or maybe I could figure it out-but I never tried to get to the root cause), but it is not a unique problem. The web is fraught with descriptions of this problem, from both end users AND more expert individuals who consistently warn against it. I believe-as best I understand it anyhow-that the WXP OS looks for an existing OS and also compares its HAL to the one that WXP is seeing, and then looks for a valid activation code which it also re-authenticates when it (WXP) is validated/activated. If I have this correct, the previous OS needs to be installed already, so I don't believe that the whole process would work on a "new/formatted" disk that is completely blank.
Again, I have never researched it in depth, primarily because I never upgrade-best practices dictate a new and clean install over any other method. Also, I have never heard of, nor ever experienced, an academic version "shutting down" after an initial period, though it is quite possible I suppose. I have been using these for six years on multiple units in my home. BG/MS provide them at the reduced cost as, essentially, a philanthropic/charitable contribution to society. Make no mistake, I am NOT BG's defender or apologist for his corporation-but in the same vein, I feel quite comfortable availing myself of his contributions to society. After all, MS takes an enormous tax write-off for this, which means that we the taxpayers are paying for them indirectly. And I am, after all, a taxpayer. For my own Personal/Private use of them, my conscience is quite clear...

 

The old OS does not need to be installed.
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=316941

 

Good point. And the situation will vary from University to University.

"Their VLK agreement reads as follows: Microsoft software is provided to students under the terms of the University's license with Microsoft Corporation and is provided for the exclusive use of the student while he/she is registered as a student at the University of Pittsburgh. Any and all software received under this program may not be rented, given, loaned, or sold to any other person or entity. Students are permitted to keep, for their personal use, copies of Microsoft software received under this license upon leaving the University. In order to do this, the student must visit CSSD Software Licensing Services to complete a Student License Agreement form prior to withdrawal or graduation. One form must be completed for each product license the student wishes to retain."

http://forums.microsoft.com/genuine/ShowPost.aspx?PostID=399362&SiteID=25


If you are looking for a fairly long, happy computer experience you really are best off getting a full version OEM whether it be Home or Pro.

Good Luck!

 

Sorry, I don't agree.

Buy a full version if you have plenty of money, otherwise an upgrade will do the same thing, a lot cheaper.

All you need is an original CD from an earlier OS, like W98SE for example, as pointed out in earlier replies.

Also, as pointed out, you don't need to install the earlier OS, just have the CD handy and insert it when asked. Bazza

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Liam said in post 12 "I've only got the one version of Windows so the upgrade isn't an option anymore, but the OEM option is looking really good right now. I'm guessing whichever one I pick, another format and a fresh installation would probably be the best course of action."

I take this to mean that he doesn't have an earlier OS disk available so taking the "upgrade" out of the equation, the OEM would be a less expensive option then Retail.

 

I did not know that simply inserting a disc from a prior OS without anything pre-existing on the HD would work--all the problems that I saw involved existing prior OS's. Look at BIGBAZZA's quotes in posts #4 and #6-that is the kind of information that I repeatedly found, and I never suspected that anyone could be a "licensed user" unless the previous OS was installed and registered, so I never tried the other method of just inserting the other OS for a moment during the install of WXP on a blank HD. That's very interesting...
Nonetheless, I did find a couple of the sitepages that I originally used when looking into this, and although they may not be relevant to the issue of an upgrade in this context, they do have some very useful information about WXP, esp. the differences between HOME and PRO which LIAM might find helpful before he makes a decision between the two for purchase.

Ah, choices! Isn't the net and this forum a wonderful thing? I bet LIAM has more info now than he ever hoped for......