difference between windows versions...

goosy22

goosy22

New Member
what's the difference between OEM and Retail? i know one of them you can install once with an activation and stuff... but is the other one the same? i want to buy xp pro and don't know which version to get...
 
i would personally get oem because its usually cheaper because with retail u usually get some extra software i always buy oem so corect me if im wrong
 
but don't you have to call in to microsoft to get activation codes whenever you reinstall it? maybe it's the same with retail but i'm pretty sure that's the way it goes for oem...
 
OEM software means that you don't get free support from Microsoft, but the supplier of the OEM disk. For instance, if you buy a PC from Dell with a Dell-supplied OEM version of Windows, that means you contact Dell for support, NOT Microsoft! It also means there's no manual or pretty box to put on a store shelf.

Buying an OEM version of an OS is usually possible when you buy a motherboard, or a hard drive; both are considered to be enough to satisfy the requirement of a "new computer" to Microsoft lawyers. It is possible to buy OEM versions of Windows without the additional hardware purchase, but this is a grey area of legality.

From Royal Technologies website:

"Original Equipment Manufacturer: OEM software is a full version which includes the CD-ROM, the Certificate of Authenticity (COA), and the product key codes. These elements are all you will need to load and run the software. The software runs exactly the same way as the full retail version (including automatic updates). The differences between OEM Vs RetailBox are:
A. OEM does not come in a box.
B. Full version OEM will only install as a full version, not as an upgrade. Only software titles listed "Upgrade OEM" can be used to upgrade from a previous version.
C. All OEM software behaves just like full version retail box software when upgrading: OEM software can be upgraded to later versions.
D. Manufacturers do not supply free technical support or installation support for OEM."

Tom
 
Are you intending to buy the upgrade or buying the full version.


goosy22 said:
what's the difference between OEM and Retail? i know one of them you can install once with an activation and stuff... but is the other one the same? i want to buy xp pro and don't know which version to get...
Click to expand...
 
m3incorp said:
Are you intending to buy the upgrade or buying the full version.
Click to expand...

okay i spose i should have made it clear of my intentions right away... i want to buy a new desktop for my parents (i'm building it) and i have a windows 98 se installation disk and if i could i want to buy just the upgrade... if the 98se install will go well enough to install xp... if not i wouldn't mind buying the full version...

should i post specs of the prospective computer build so you guys can determine if 98se will run on it?
 
If you have the windows 98 CD then you have what you
need in order to use an UPGRADE version of windows XP.

The upgrade will be cheaper that the FULL version of XP.

Any NEW computer will run windows 98SE.
 
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