Hi As some may remember from before, I have had a problem with my computer with random crashes. Many logical solutions were presented to me but I have finally got the budget for a new computer. I will be building my computer and doing everything myself, for the sake of having custom specs and personal experience. But I have a few quick questions about things that can make picking an OS tricky... I plan to use MS Windows XP Pro with SP2. There are several products to choose from when I search for "MS Windows XP Pro with SP2" One just says "MS Windows XP Pro with SP2", another of them says "Upgrade Version" and some say "OEM Version", yet they all say "MS Windows XP Pro with SP2" somewhere in it. I have no idea which one is "better" but the upgrade version is cheapest, and OEM version is ok price. I can figure out that the upgrade version is for computers upgrading from a previous Windows upgrading to Windows XP, or from Windows XP upgrading to SP2 (...right?) I will be installing my Windows in a new brand new Hard Drive. Here are the links to the ones that say "MS Windows XP Pro SP2" and the one that says "OEM Version" MS Windows XP Pro Edition OEM Version & SP2 http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=335900&CatId=306 MS Windows XP Pro SP2 http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=1104919&CatId=306
Upgrade will only work if you have a previous legal license for 98 or ME (maybe even 2000...not sure) Retail is what you would get at Best Buy. Comes in a nice box with paperwork, etc. When you buy an OEM version it comes in a cardboard sleeve with an XP license sticker on it to attach to your PC case. OEM and retail are the exact same install. You may not get too much support from microsoft with an OEM version. (They will tell you to call the computer manufacturer....in this case, this is you) OEM would be fine if you use AD as your support forum, and it will also save you a few bucks. ~Rich
Thanks, that's exactly what I wanted to hear. The OEM Version doesn't sound so bad, I'll get it And another question that just popped up, about Service Pack 2. I know that SP2 is free in Windows updates, but the retail products of Windows seem to take a lot of pride in mentioning that SP2 is integrated into the Windows they are selling. Is this solely for the purpose of saving the user the extra hassle of having to download and install SP2?
Yup.....the full SP2 download was about 230 MB, IIRC. They have slipstreamed SP2 into the new CDs so you dont have to worry about it. Plus, they are not shipping an OS with more holes in it that swiss cheese. (OK, maybe they still are). ~Rich
One other thing, is that the license for OEM versions are not transferable. If you get a new computer you can't legally install Windows XP on it from the same OEM version because it is only licensed to the original hardware. With the full version as long as you remove it from the first computer you can install it on a new one. I am sure there are ways around that OEM limitation, but I was just commenting from a licensing perspective.
Ok, and I have a few more questions (things just keep popping up...) 1) I have heard numerous times - many times from AD - that it is good to re-install windows once in a while, about every 1/2 year or a year. Is this recommended? I plan to keep the contents of my hard drive clean, secure, and organized. 2) Can Windows be installed on more than one computer? 3) If the answer to question # 2 is No, then if I re-install Windows with my same hard drive (except I choose to completely format it after the previous install of the same windows CD), will it work? I have been living under a fact that I'm not sure is true: when a hard drive is formatted, it gets a new IP, different from the one originally registered to the license of my Windows CD. If this is true then would I need a new Windows CD after a complete format? Because a complete HDD format is just like a new computer or new hard drive, with everything different than before. But this is only a problem if the answer to my question # 2 is No. I am not sure of the clarity of my question, please ask for any necessary rephrasing about my uncertainty.
I did not see that reply from Xian, which answered a few questions. Now, I still need to know question #1 about how often to reinstall windows. And I also still need to know if OEM version can be re-installed after formatting the Hard Drive.
An OEM version can be reinstalled on the same hardware with no problems even after a reformat. Usually you get an OEM license when you buy a PC and it is licensed to that hardware. If you get a new PC a year down the road you can't legally transfer an OEM license to it, you have to buy another one. http://www.networkclue.com/os/Windows/licensing/index.aspx That explains the different licensing types. For many home users it really doesn't matter, but businesses need to be sure they are properly licensed.
So an OEM Version is licensed to the hardware it comes with, if it is purchased with a PC. If I am building the PC, would it still be the same? I can still re-install as many times as I want, right? And also, I was reading through the OEM information on that link. "an OEM license is designed to be disposable and is not an investment" Hmm... Seeing as I am buying the OEM Version separately, am I spending the appropriate amount of money on something that's "designed to be disposable"? It costs about half of the Retail Version.
Oh, and in addition to the question from the post above, I also need this answered: I have heard numerous times - many times from AD - that it is good to re-install windows once in a while, about every 1/2 year or a year. Is this recommended? I plan to keep the contents of my hard drive clean, secure, and organized. Thanks in advance
