what version of windows should i buy for a new home built machine

tleewade · Sep 15, 2009

i am going to get a machine that has never had a operateing system on it . what would i get if it is no upgrade but to put on a new machine? want to put windows xp home on it for the first time .and what will it cost.

augiedoggie · Sep 15, 2009

Skip XP but get Windows 7 instead(comes out end October). Don't get me wrong, XP is/was a good OS but it's had it's day in the limelight and contrary to some folks, it's not a big learning curve.

DavidGP · Sep 15, 2009

Hi

You would want the full retail or even OEM version of Windows XP Home with SP3, and cost can be variable, depends where you want to buy from, local stores if they have it will be expensive still, but online retailers are best and Newegg lists these prices and Amazon this

Two full versions are available, Retail and OEM, OEM the difference is that you dont get support from Microsoft (but for general users support has finished anyway) and the licence states install on only one PC, so of you build or wish to transfer the licence to another PC, this is against the licence terms, whereas with Retail, you still cannot install on multiple PCs, but you can transfer the licence.

Do also double check that the PC builder if OEM like DELL, HP etc or the motherboard maker fo the version of motherboard does supply XP drivers, as some makers dont and it can be a pain to find compatible drivers for XP as many have moved onto Vista and above

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what version of windows should i buy for a new home built machine

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