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#1
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OEM vs Retail XP Pro
Is there any real difference between the oem and retail versions of xp
pro? I've heard that if you're going to be doing upgrading here and there occasionally you might run into problems with oem versions. John. |
#2
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jeh wrote:
Is there any real difference between the oem and retail versions of xp pro? I've heard that if you're going to be doing upgrading here and there occasionally you might run into problems with oem versions. I think the only difference is that you must do a clean install with the OEM version. I never do an upgrade install anyway (maybe once a long time ago), so OEM is fine. In direct answer to your question, No, I don't think there is any difference in that way. If you do upgrade installations with the retail version, you are more likely to run into problems. Doing clean installs is more work upfront. It's up to you. This might be more advanced than the options you need, but the real way to install Windows is to make incremental backup copies and keep copies you can revert to when things go wrong. Even now with XP's stability, I wouldn't do without a disk manager. |
#3
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jeh wrote:
Is there any real difference between the oem and retail versions of xp pro? I've heard that if you're going to be doing upgrading here and there occasionally you might run into problems with oem versions. John. the main difference between OEM and Retail is that OEM has no packaging or instructions (other than a quick start), there is no product support and you cannot transfer the operating system to another pc eg. you buy a new computer without windows you cannot install a previously installed OEM version on it (well your not supposed to) Retail version has product support, packaging and you can transfer it to another computer. |
#4
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JD wrote:
jeh wrote: Is there any real difference between the oem and retail versions of xp pro? I've heard that if you're going to be doing upgrading here and there occasionally you might run into problems with oem versions. John. the main difference between OEM and Retail is that OEM has no packaging or instructions (other than a quick start), there is no product support and you cannot transfer the operating system to another pc eg. you buy a new computer without windows you cannot install a previously installed OEM version on it (well your not supposed to) Which is also why the OEM version does not support 'upgrading' a prior O.S.. Retail version has product support, packaging and you can transfer it to another computer. |
#5
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"jeh" wrote...
Is there any real difference between the oem and retail versions of xp pro? I've heard that if you're going to be doing upgrading here and there occasionally you might run into problems with oem versions. Included drivers. Support -- none from MS on an OEM serial number. Lack of some add-ons (e.g., NetBEUI). You may not get a CD for OEM. |
#6
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John Doe wrote: jeh wrote: Is there any real difference between the oem and retail versions of xp pro? I've heard that if you're going to be doing upgrading here and there occasionally you might run into problems with oem versions. I think the only difference is that you must do a clean install with the OEM version. I never do an upgrade install anyway (maybe once a long time ago), so OEM is fine. In direct answer to your question, No, I don't think there is any difference in that way. If you do upgrade installations with the retail version, you are more likely to run into problems. Doing clean installs is more work upfront. It's up to you. This might be more advanced than the options you need, but the real way to install Windows is to make incremental backup copies and keep copies you can revert to when things go wrong. Even now with XP's stability, I wouldn't do without a disk manager. Sounds like you have a lot of problems with XP. I've been doing pretty good with 98, and I'm sort of hesitant to change, but I do some work online with various companies and they are starting to require a more updated os for the security aspect of it. Think I should wait for Longhorn? Thanks. |
#7
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"David Maynard" wrote in message ... JD wrote: jeh wrote: Is there any real difference between the oem and retail versions of xp pro? I've heard that if you're going to be doing upgrading here and there occasionally you might run into problems with oem versions. John. the main difference between OEM and Retail is that OEM has no packaging or instructions (other than a quick start), there is no product support and you cannot transfer the operating system to another pc eg. you buy a new computer without windows you cannot install a previously installed OEM version on it (well your not supposed to) Which is also why the OEM version does not support 'upgrading' a prior O.S.. I have updated a Toshiba laptop of mine that had a Toshiba version of XP Home with an OEM version of XP Pro and it worked just fine. As far as updating from 98 or ME I don't know because back then I upgraded with a retail version. I wound up reinstalling XP Pro clean after deciding I didn't want or need all the junk that Toshiba installs with it's version of XP Home. Retail version has product support, packaging and you can transfer it to another computer. The above OEM XP Pro that I installed on the Toshiba was previously installed on a Sony Vaio laptop that bit the dust. I didn't even need to call MS to activate. It activated just as a retail version would. I think the largest difference is the packaging and lack of product support. If you can do without those, I think the OEM version is a good deal. Of course, you must purchase a major computer component (supposedly) to get an OEM copy. I have an OEM version of XP Pro on this system and it is my "test" system (guinea pig if u will) and have changed virtually everything in it and have had to make the 10 min call to MS on a few occasions but just telling them I upgraded, which is true, and they just reactivated normally. Ed |
#8
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If your hardware is up to the challenge, you will find that XP is a big
improvement over W98, such as for the security enhancements that you mentioned. |
#9
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jeh wrote:
John Doe wrote: I think the only difference is that you must do a clean install with the OEM version. I never do an upgrade install anyway (maybe once a long time ago), so OEM is fine. In direct answer to your question, No, I don't think there is any difference in that way. If you do upgrade installations with the retail version, you are more likely to run into problems. Doing clean installs is more work upfront. It's up to you. This might be more advanced than the options you need, but the real way to install Windows is to make incremental backup copies and keep copies you can revert to when things go wrong. Even now with XP's stability, I wouldn't do without a disk manager. Sounds like you have a lot of problems with XP. I've been doing pretty good with 98, and I'm sort of hesitant to change, but I do some work online with various companies and they are starting to require a more updated os for the security aspect of it. Think I should wait for Longhorn? I put my personal computer to the test, persistently. Currently, I am beginning what in my little world is a new era of speech recognition, integrating that into the whole. I am looking forward to integrating speech into my system wide macro recorder, to make Windows dance on my verbal command. Even if you do little with your computer, a disk manager probably is useful. Apparently you do enough, since you are concerned enough to ask about OEM versus retail versions of Windows XP. If you don't mind the hassles, stick with Windows 98. I wouldn't recommend Windows XP because I want to increase Microsoft's wealth. You just have to keep paying personal computer user dues if you want a smooth running system. |
#10
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On Wed, 20 Apr 2005 21:16:56 GMT, John Doe
wrote: .. Currently, I am beginning what in my little world is a new era of speech recognition, integrating that into the whole. I am looking forward to integrating speech into my system wide macro recorder, to make Windows dance on my verbal command. If you're into C++. here's a great page on making speech reco programs. http://www.generation5.org/content/2001/sr00.asp and http://www.generation5.org/articles....0Recognitio n I wrote a speech-driven Windows Media Player. Just say "Play ..." and it does (most of the time!) |
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