Re: XP OEM or XP Upgrade, Help With Decision Please

Bryan Bellis wrote:

>
> I'm about to build my son a new PC from parts I'm purchasing from
> ebuyer.com and partly from his existing PC. I'm going to move him from
> Windows 98 to XP of some variety, but which?
>
> If I get the OEM version of XP will I encounter any problems or
> limitations, or should I just hand in the towel, stop being a penny
> pinching old sod and just go a buy the XP Upgrade from e.g. PC World
> or wherever?
>
> Advice much appreciated please.
>

My understanding is that there is more than one sort of OEM version.

The one you can buy if you get a qualifying piece of hardware at the same
time does not seem to be limited in any way. Certainly I have built a new
box with none of the original parts, and my OEM version installed on the
new box without difficulty. Because it was more than 120 days since it was
first activated it was possible to activate normally over the 'net.

However, the OEM version that would be supplied to you if you bought a
machine from a large company is likely to be BIOS locked. It would only
install to the original motherboard.

HTH

Chris

--
Remove prejudice to reply.
.

Relevant Pages

  • Re: PC hangs during activation and non-activation
    ... As you have a new OEM OS license, it sounds like you are trying to do ... license, the OS will not be tied to the old MB, so it should install just ... since windows won't start.? ... How to Perform a Windows XP Repair Install ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.setup_deployment)
  • Re: PC hangs during activation and non-activation
    ... As you have a new OEM OS license, it sounds like you are trying to do ... license, the OS will not be tied to the old MB, so it should install just ... since windows won't start.? ... How to Perform a Windows XP Repair Install ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.setup_deployment)
  • Re: Use my original COA ( CD-KEY) in my Toshiba laptop
    ... It is easy to get a legal OEM copy of Microsoft Media Center 2005. ... Media Center Edition and no Personal Support ... There is no "deal" between MS and PC makers to cripple the install. ... sells the OEM copies of MCE to the manufacturers at a deeply ...
    (microsoft.public.windows.mediacenter)
  • Re: System died - Can OEM xp be used on new computer?
    ... I think I'll give a try installing the old xp pro. ... replacing a defective motherboard certainly ... > is where one is instructed to affix the OEM CoA label w/Product Key. ... The repair install allowed me to input my legit product key ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.setup_deployment)
  • Re: Use my original COA ( CD-KEY) in my Toshiba laptop
    ... "ReInstall from the Recovery Disc!" ... There is no "deal" between MS and PC makers to cripple the install. ... The manufacturers modify the setup to check to make ... "Recovery Disc" Version of MCE2005 to the OEM Version. ...
    (microsoft.public.windows.mediacenter)