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General discussion

Which version of Windows XP to buy?

Feb 26, 2004 3:15AM PST

I am going to update my daughters OS to XP from ME. Which version would you recommend? Full or Upgrade. Retail, OEM or Academic (she qualifies to purchase AE). The student bookstore only has Upgrade available in the AE version and say they don't think a full copy is available in AE. She formats and reinstalls OS quite regularly (kid seems to download everything), I was told that after reinstalling XP about 3 times with OEM version of XP a phone call to Microsoft was necessary to reactivate it every time after. The computer is only a couple years old so I don't want to replace it. Thanks for any help and advice.
Alan

Discussion is locked

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The OEM story is worse than that.
Feb 26, 2004 3:52AM PST

For the OEM version, you call the OEM. This won't be Microsoft. This issue can confound, annoy and cause people to break out into a phone killing rage. Be very aware that OEM support is not from Microsoft in any way.

But some can use it to save a few bucks.

If you have a qualifying Windows ME CD, then the Upgrade is the cheapest. The AE would have to be examined more closely for price and license/support (may be the same do-not-call-Microsoft issue?)

The OEM versions I've used don't move to new hardware so that's an issue for upgraders...

I'm sure you'll get a lot to digest on this question.

Bob

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Re:Thanks Robert, Just 1 More Question
Feb 26, 2004 4:24AM PST

I have been wracking my brain out on this for so long I forgot to ask something i can't find an answer to anywhere. Do you know the difference between these versions E85-00086 and E85-01011, I sure hope you do because Microsoft doesn't list it anywhere.

Thanks, Alan

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Decode your question, encode my answer then post?
Feb 26, 2004 4:42AM PST

E85-00086 is the SKU# for E85-00086 - Windows XP Professional English NA CD
(NA - North American) Full retail product
It is not the Academic product

E85-01011 is also the Windows XP Professional
English NA CD
But is the direct reseller SKU not the highstreet one

01011 AKA "OEM"
NA = North America for this post.

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Re:Decode your question, encode my answer then post?
Feb 26, 2004 4:54AM PST