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General discussion

Windows XP=$200/Any Way Around It?

Mar 7, 2004 9:36AM PST

Ok, so I checked the stores and the two year old program with hundreds of security holes costs $200. I thought I saw one for 100, but it was an upgrade. Here's my problem, I have windows me, but it's the emcahines version of windows me which I'm not sure counts as an upgrade. Does anyone know for sure?

Also, I don't think I'll be able to buy the upgrade because I just got a new hard drive. So I'm wondering if there's any way around paying so much for it. Are there any places online that sell it cheaper? Or is there a place that sells windows 98 really cheap? Then I can buy that, and then just get the upgrade. I don't know, if anyone can help me out I'd apreciate it, thanks!

BTW- i'm trying to get the home edition.

Discussion is locked

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Re:Windows XP=$200/Any Way Around It?
Mar 7, 2004 9:53AM PST

The upgrade will use your eMachine version.
Best to do a clean install.
Save data... delete partition with XP CD and and
re-install.
The upgrade disk will want ot verify your original
ME media, so if you only have a RESTORE disk, this may
not work.

OEM version is about 90.00 for Home and 150 for Pro
online. You have to buy hardware with it. Usually a cable. Microsoft may not like this but they haven't stopped the practice either.

Try http://www.zipzoomfly.com

This is OEM and since you are the system builder here,
Microsoft will not help you with tech support, not that they do much anyway.

The retail box does give you a small amount of pull with Microsoft for solving problems but I would just as soon buy OEM. This will not do upgrades. Clean install only.

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Re:Re:Windows XP=$200/Any Way Around It?
Mar 7, 2004 4:03PM PST

I can't reinstall the emachines backup disk for a somewhat complicated reason. Oh well, I'll just exaplin it even though it won't matter. I originally had the emachine computer, I thought it sucked so I bought all new parts to my computer. The only thing I kept was the hard drive which had windows me. I'm not too keen how how computers work with the partitions and file systems, so I couldn't figure out why it wasn't working with my new computer. So I ended up taking it to a shop. The guy installed a different version of windows me (probably illegaly as I found out later on). I'm not complainging but I don't want to try to use it to upgrade.

As for the OEM version, how does this differ from the one that comes in the box? How does it come? Is it illegal? Will I be able to register it? What makes it so much cheaper? Thanks for the help so far.

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The OEM trap.
Mar 7, 2004 9:16PM PST

"As for the OEM version, how does this differ from the one that comes in the box? "

No real changes to the OS, but you don't get access to some OS patches from Microsoft. But the biggest issue may be the activation. While it will work without issue on the first machine, Microsoft may not let you move it from machine to machine. The entire concept of the OEM version is to lower the price because:

a. Microsoft doesn't provide support.
b. It is locked to some machine.

You are not paying for the full license so don't expect full rights.

Bob

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Is this machine XP
Mar 8, 2004 6:30AM PST
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Re:Re:Windows XP=$200/Any Way Around It?
Mar 7, 2004 4:08PM PST

Ok, so I checked for myself and found this bit of info on the differences. Is there any other difference? And will I be able to register Windows XP and receive the security updates?


Differences between the OEM and Retail version of Windows XP are the following:
Retail version comes in a fancy box. OEM does not.
Retail version contains a printed manual. OEM comes with an instruction booklet.
Customers who purchase the retail version are eligible for tech support from Microsoft.
Retail version offers the option to do a "Quick Install" or a "Clean Install." OEM version offers the "Clean Install" option only. However, performing a "Clean Install" is HIGHLY recommended.
The OEM version costs approximately $100-$150 less than the retail version.

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Re:Re:Windows XP=$200/Any Way Around It?
Mar 7, 2004 4:10PM PST

Very very sorry I'm posting so much. I just want to be sure before i go through and buy it. You said I have to buy some sort of hardware with it. Is this the website's policy? Or is there some reason for this?

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Re:Windows XP=$200/Any Way Around It?
Mar 7, 2004 11:04AM PST
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Re:Re:Windows XP=$200/Any Way Around It?
Mar 7, 2004 11:45AM PST
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Re:Re:Re:Windows XP=$200/Any Way Around It?
Mar 16, 2004 5:29AM PST

My Sony 680 laptop came with Me and, due to a multiplicity of problems, I simply bought the $90 upgrade to XP Home Edition and it works perfectly. I had replaced the hard drive, reinstalled Me with my system disk and then used the upgrade XP disk.

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Re:Windows XP=$200/Any Way Around It?
Mar 7, 2004 2:48PM PST

Do you still have your backup disks that came with your computer? If you do, you will first have to install ME and then upgrade to XP. When you convert to over to XP, you can have it change the file system of your hard drive to NTFS. XP, though, can run on FAT-32 if necessary.

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Re:Windows XP=$200/Any Way Around It?
Mar 7, 2004 10:44PM PST

Hi You might find it for sale on E bay or try Pricewatch.com

Rick

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Re:Windows XP=$200/Any Way Around It?
Mar 7, 2004 10:57PM PST
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Re:Re:Windows XP=$200/Any Way Around It?
Mar 8, 2004 5:43AM PST

I, too, have received a spam message about XP2002 Professional for $50. I use W98SE and am thinking about upgrading to XP which, I have been told, is much more stable. Can this version of XP be installed over 98? I consider myself to be an advanced novice(?) and worry about uninstalling 98 completely and then not be able to get my computer up and running again. Thanks inadvance to all you techies out there for any suggestions.

Bob

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Check this
Mar 8, 2004 12:55AM PST
http://www.pchardware4u.com/details.aspx?SKU=4585672 Windows XP Home (OEM) for $70.

It doesn't say if it includes SP1 so it probably doesn't but this as well as all other updates are available online at MS Update - not a problem if you have a broadband connection, dialup requires LOTS of patience

The only difference between OEM and Retail is:

No Box
No Manual
No MS Support via telephone - MS Support is available on the internet and via email.
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Re:Check this
Mar 8, 2004 8:04AM PST

Ok, there's one thing that I need to know for sure. Will I get the security patches if I buy the OEM version? Obviously, this is very important because I don't need people using old routes into my computer. I need to know if anyone knows this for sure. So if you have that version or know someone who does, and are 100% sure, can you answer this question for me? I'd greatly appreciate it.

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OEM XPs on DELL/HP/Compaq all can D/L Patches!
Mar 8, 2004 8:51AM PST

so go ahead and get the OEM XP CD.

Imagine if MS stops allowing OEM PC from D/L SPs and fixes DELL/HP/Compaqs will have thousands of angry customers wanting their $ back!

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Re:OEM XPs on DELL/HP/Compaq all can D/L Patches!
Mar 8, 2004 11:54AM PST

I bought the OEM from DIT about 8 months ago, installation went great, registration went great, and not being one to wait on the phone with Microsoft to solve a problem which can usually be solved using or CNET or Google anyway..Plus, you can use the update site, so go for it already..

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Re:Re:OEM XPs on DELL/HP/Compaq all can D/L Patches!
Mar 8, 2004 1:01PM PST

Thanks, I'll be getting it asap. Thanks for all the help everyone!

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Not everything is available to OEM owners.
Mar 8, 2004 12:05PM PST

1. You'll want the XP SP1 integrated CD or just don't buy it. Why bother with an old CD?

2. There are some non-security related patches that OEM users can't get easily. These are the ones you have to call in for. The reason is simple. An OEM like Dell can't allow Microsoft to issue a patch that will cause Dell's support costs to rise. As such, a patch like that is relegated to a call-in to microsoft and proof you have the non-OEM version. I'll leave it to others to find these patches.

For those, you call the place that sold the OEM copy and they can supply it. That's their responsibility.

Bob

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Re:Not everything is available to OEM owners.
Mar 12, 2004 7:45AM PST

there is a difference between an OEM edition and an operating system released by an Oem, such as dell. The An Oem cd doesn't support upgrades from older operating systems (but you can run windows updates normally). An operating system made by an oem, like Dell or Emachines, has components that have been turned off or tweaked by the manufacturor, so it doesn't always respond to updates correctly.

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Re:Not everything is available to OEM owners.
Mar 14, 2004 4:25PM PST

What are some examples of these non-security related patches? Just wondering if it's anything I might use. I'm considering buying a new desktop and notebook, and I'm wondering how to go about getting the software I need at a reasonable cost. I will probably go with Dell or HP and I'm wondering if it would be better to get their preinstalled OEM versions or buy OEM elsewhere. I mostly need XP, Office, and Quickbooks, Front Page, and Dreamweaver. Also, I may add 1 or more additional PCs at some point. If I buy one OEM CD, can it be legally installed on more than one of my PCs? I'm not sure how the licensing works.

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"f I buy one OEM CD, can it be legally installed on more than one of my PCs?"
Mar 14, 2004 8:01PM PST

This question is best asked in its own thread.

But forget "legal" for a moment. The XP activation has teeth. If you don't activate the OS, the machine stops booting XP in 28 days. In short, one license, one machine.

If you want to know more. Ask your question in it's own posting.

Bob

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Actually, this isn't true
Dec 21, 2004 9:36AM PST

You can get all the updates even if you purchased an OEM version of Windows. I've done it and all you do is download the entire service pack 1 or 2 and you automatically will install all updates included in the servicepack. It works, and I've never had to call anyone. I'm a tech and I should know.

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Prove it . Here's an update you have to call for.
Dec 21, 2004 9:44AM PST
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Re:Windows XP=$200/Any Way Around It?
Mar 14, 2004 12:10PM PST

Hi...have you tried "E-Bay"? I recently bought
W98se. brand New!....Ron.

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Re:Windows XP=$200/Any Way Around It?
Mar 14, 2004 12:13PM PST

If you have an old windows 95/98/2000/ME disk then you can install from the upgrade disk. During your installation windows XP will ask you to insert this previous operating system disk to verify then continue. This is the only difference betweeen the full and upgrade versions. You can also check into linux, which is free.

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Re:Windows XP=$200/Any Way Around It?
Mar 14, 2004 12:14PM PST

Also, there is some speculation that you can get one of these disks from Kazaa, or Edonkey, Emule, or an equivalent P2P program...hint hint Happy

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Re:Windows XP=$200/Any Way Around It?
Mar 14, 2004 1:20PM PST

Microsoft don't tell you but the upgrade can be used as a full clean install. You have to boot from the CD and can do this by going into the CMOS and changing the boot sequence to boot first from the CD. After installing XP just go back and change it to its former sequence.
You can also download a set of six floppies from Microsoft and use these instead. There is a set for Home Edition and another set for XP Pro.

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Re:Windows XP=$200/Any Way Around It?
Mar 14, 2004 3:12PM PST

Get someone to burn their xp cd and get a cd-key off the net.

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Re:Windows XP=$200/Any Way Around It?
Mar 15, 2004 1:37AM PST