need help with purchase...

ok well I looked some over and realize that tigerdirect sells the same exact 2 OS's for 100 difference..*confuzed*
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=1087894&CatId=0

thats almost 200 bucks...


http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=1104427&CatId=0

and thats almost 100 buckz ?!?!?!?!?!

oh and also im pretty sure im not going with OeM on OS
because I have read some reviews on OeM and how they arent
as trust wrthy as retail...


plz some 1 tell me what the price is on a retail windows xp cd
which I can use right out of the box and dont need any upgrades
or anything..PLZ!!!! lol

thanks...
 
One of those links is the full version o XP, and the other is an upgrade. If you buy an upgrade, you need to have an older OS on a cd because it will ask you for it.

And OEM are exactly the same thing as retail, except it doesnt come with a box or manual, just the cd and a small booklet.
 
go with the cheapest OEM version of XP that you can find...if it doesn't have SP2 then all you have to do is spend a few hours doing windows updates until there are no more

I don't know how well the XP64 works, but it is very expensive in comparison to the normal 32bit, but you may want to look into that since you have a 64bit chip
 
Jerkstore said:
I don't know how well the XP64 works, but it is very expensive in comparison to the normal 32bit, but you may want to look into that since you have a 64bit chip
Click to expand...


what do you mean by that?????
 
also...
does this mean im going to spend about 200$ on an OS???
because all the Upgrades are roughly 99 bucks...
 
P.s....
Doesent OeM mean some one bought it then returned it?
like for example here is a "comment" made by some one on newegg.com

"N/A, 10/7/2005 8:32:52 AM
Read the EULA
The difference between OEM and Retial is the End User Liscense Agreement. OEM means that once you activate XP on a computer, that version of XP is "BOUND" to the hardware. If you try and upgrade your motherboard, that is considered a new computer, and OEM won't activate. Retail will allow you to change hardware all you want with no annoying EULA issues from Microsoft."

Also...I downloaded sp2 as a update for the current comp and it sucks!!!!
 
SAD_DC said:
what do you mean by that?????
Click to expand...


Microsoft came out with Windows XP x64 Professional, an OS specifically designed to run on 64-bit chips. I would not get it over Windows XP (32-bit) because of compatibility issues. I have run it and have had many problems with drivers and hardware not being compatible.
 
With an OEM version of XP you can only activate ONLINE one time. If you need to format and restore your system you will have to call Microsoft each and every time to get a new identification number to activate. I have the OEM version and I'm glad I saved the 100 bucks instead of buying the retail version.
 
i agree with johnb35. it can be a pain in the ass but its more than worth it. OEM means original equipment manufacuter. Lets say you buy a pc from some online company... they'll give you an oem version of windows. its no different than the retail other than in price and what was already described above. It does not mean someone bought and returned it. 64-bit xp is free to those of us who previously owned xp-pro. :)

"Read the EULA
The difference between OEM and Retial is the End User Liscense Agreement. OEM means that once you activate XP on a computer, that version of XP is "BOUND" to the hardware. If you try and upgrade your motherboard, that is considered a new computer, and OEM won't activate. Retail will allow you to change hardware all you want with no annoying EULA issues from Microsoft."

Also...I downloaded sp2 as a update for the current comp and it sucks!!!!"

about that upgrading the mobo crap.... when u call they ask about one thing. "is this copy installed on only one machine"? you say yes and they give you ur numbers. I've changed my mobo with only one OEM copy of xp and had no problems.
 
yeah I have a copied windows xp cd but im not to sure i wanna use that....
but ill think about getting OeM or retail...
Which retail is good?..price wise...
 
just buy the oem version. its your best bet. why pay for documentation you never need anyway. saves you a 100 bucks or so.
 
so wait...if I get the OeM and ....say I need to reboot my comp...
to like.."factory restore"..can I do that?

and is the only thing i cant do is buy a new mobo?

so like if I do get a new mobo..which i dont plan on it..
ill need to buy a new OeM Win Xp Os Cd??
 
no, thats not the way it works. you can reinstall oem version as many times as needed its just that you can only activate online the first time. Any other times you will have to call microsoft and explain to them that you just reformatted and need to activate again and they will give you a new ID number to activate. Even if you change motherboards thats all you need to tell them. They just want to make sure that its not installed on another machine.
 
You don't have to call Microsoft for a new activation code. I've got the full OEM version of XP Pro on my pc and I've screwed the thing up so many times when I first got it that I've done 3 fresh installs since I got it and never had to call for a new activation code.

The only differences between OEM and RETAIL that I can tell is that Microsoft will not help you with problems on OEM versions and you don't get all the fancy packing or booklets. Also you need to get help from the company or the person you bought it from. So for me ( the person I got my pc from had everything transfered over to me.) directron.com is my computer service when I have problems.
 
sad dc... That retail oem version of xp is fine. I paid 89$ at tigerdirect.


79 transam....For the retail version you do have to reactivate. But if you have a like a dell or another computer manufacturer's oem version of xp then you don't have to reactivate.
 
retail oem version...???? oxy-moron.

just buy the oem version, you'll be much happier that you did.

that one you have picked out looks fine. go for it.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top