Which version of xp should I get?

Okay, I know I have to get a legit copy of xp. Which is the one I should get. Some are upgrades so that's no good as I use xp already. When I say legit I bought the laptop from a computer shop with the xp already installed. However the discs won't work so I have to get a proper one.
Apparently the OEM versions are not transferable even if the original computer breaks! If my laptop breaks (and it's happened before) I don't want to have buy another xp disk. So there's my dilemna. I've looked on ebay and there's all kind of different ones. I'd like one that has SP3. So please help me make a good choice please. rolleyes

 

If you like the version you're using now, get the same one. Most people can't tell difference between XP Home, XP Pro, and XP Media Center. XP Home is usually the least expensive and chances are that is what you've been using. IMO, the computer shop should have given you the install disc. Look on the bottom of the laptop for an XP product key sticker. They should give you a disc for the version of XP listed on that sticker.

 

Well I looked on the bottom but any label is quite worn. I've had it for like 4 years and its quite worn out. So worn out that if I turn the laptop a certain way the whole thing will freeze and I have to restart... and thats why I need to move to another one. Yeah I think its the home edition for sure. It may even be the dell version. I got a disk but it doesn't work which makes me think its the OEM version which is not transferable. Which is the one that I can transfer if my laptop dies on me?

 

To find the version you use:

Start>Control Panel>System and read the General Tab

 

Actually this leads me to another question... the laptop (Latitude 810) that I'm moving to has a smaller hard drive than the one I have been using (Latitufe 610). If I just swap hard drives would that be ok? I have a feeling it may not.

 

That depends on what version is installed on your 610. If it is an OEM version, it's not transferable to another computer. If it is a retail version, you can transfer it, yes, but it will require reactivation (phoning Microsoft). Windows activation is based on many hardware components' "fingerprints"/serial numbers/etc. in a computer. If you transfer the hard drive, the only thing that will remain the same according to that Windows installation will be the hard drive. It will notice it's using a different motherboard, RAM, graphics card, sound card, etc. and will require reactivation.

 

I have bought XP discs (legit ones) that were Dell motherboards only at a substantial savings. You might want to look around before buying.

 

Well I just found out that my xp is home edition 2002 with SP2. It has the key on it.

I see one on ebay that says its a full version COA and a Licence key and hologram cd. However, it also says on the ad that it's OEM software. Now that is confusing... How can it be a full version and OEM? I need to install xp on my newer laptop and then transfer my files and setting from the older one using a null modem cable (which I still have to get). Then install the new system on the older one .... oh heck I don't know how I'm going to do it... Okay, if I save my settings and files onto a disk using the 'Save files and Settings option in the System menu. Then I put the older laptop's hard drive in the new laptop and then do a clean install. Then all I have to do is put the disk in with the files and settings. Then can I put the newer laptops hard drive in the older machine and install windows on that as well? Sorry! My head's just gone into a spin.

 

OEM doesn't necessarily mean that it is 'branded' like from Dell or HP. OEM in this case probably means that it is not the retail release, meaning you don't get a manual and the big cardboard box. All you get is the CD, the COA sticker, and pamphlet that shows you how to install the CD. If you can provide a link to the sale site, we can probably tell you exactly what's up and if it will work for your situation. A friend of mine owns a small PC shop and he orders OEM Windows XP from an MS licensed distributor for the PCs he builds and sells in his shop. It's the same as a retail XP but without the retail packaging. Generally speaking, OEM discs such as these must be sold with hardware to be technically legal (but this is not always the case).

 

This is just one of the ebay items I was looking at:
http://cgi.ebay.com/MICROSOFT-WINDO...ryZ41882QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
It looks like it has what I need, but the pic of the disk looks like an OEM, i.e. it's not the hologram disk. I would consider it a great favor if you gave me a list of what to look for or tell me that my list is ok
1) full version
2) w/SP3
3) sealed
4) hologram disk
5) COA
or maybe give me a link to a dealer I can trust who won't rip me off.

 

Apparently I can by the SP3 cd from Microsoft for about only $5, but of course that doesn't include the system.

 

Well! I have had to make a decision, whether wise or not, to by an unbranded OEM. Time will tell whether I made a mistake but the information I could get was very confusing. I made the decision and too late to change. Maybe someone should make it clear just what xp versions mean. It would be helpful. XP retail, the most expensive mean you can install on more than one computer. Unbranded OEM mean one machine only. Branded OEM on on particular machine, i.e. Dell, HP etc. I intend to keep my machine until I get a MAC so I chose the xp OEM unbranded. So I'll just sell my present machine for 25c on ebay. By the time I need to upgrade it'll be either Vista or something better.