Upgrading to Windows XP

L

lonewarrior154

New Member
I'd like to upgrade to Windows XP, but I don't necessarily want to pay 300 bucks for a full version. I'm building a brand new machine so I don't have an existing OS to upgrade from. Is it possible to use an OS disc that came with either of the last two Dells I've owned and install its OS onto my new machine? Then I could pay the cheaper price to upgrade to XP Pro and have a legitimate copy. One is Windows 98 and the other is Windows XP Home.
Salutations.
 
First you need a Welcome to the Computer Forum! http://www.computerforum.com/70672-official-welcome-thread.html Please take some time to review the http://www.computerforum.com/52038-forum-rules.html

For system builders with experience the simple solution when moving from a prebuilt system into a new custom build is to buy an OEM release at a much lower cost. You would want a full version that can run as low as $85 or less at this time for the 32bit version of XP Pro. http://cgi.ebay.com/Windows-XP-Pro-...ryZ41888QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem has the actual lowest price found on the full oem version of XP Pro with SP2.

Generally the recovery disks included with prebuilt systems are tied to the one machine whereas the OEM for system builder releases are fully capable of partitioning and formatting a bare drive for Windows to install onto. The price does vary for the oem releases at different sites with some including the upgrade coupon for Vista. Any older version of Windows is simply upgraded with the newer version of Windows when starting the installer while the older version is running even 95. You are always better off with a full version for custom builds since you can reinstall Windows if necessary at any time.
 
PC eye said:
First you need a Welcome to the Computer Forum! http://www.computerforum.com/70672-official-welcome-thread.html Please take some time to review the http://www.computerforum.com/52038-forum-rules.html

For system builders with experience the simple solution when moving from a prebuilt system into a new custom build is to buy an OEM release at a much lower cost. You would want a full version that can run as low as $85 or less at this time for the 32bit version of XP Pro. http://cgi.ebay.com/Windows-XP-Pro-...ryZ41888QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem has the actual lowest price found on the full oem version of XP Pro with SP2.

Generally the recovery disks included with prebuilt systems are tied to the one machine whereas the OEM for system builder releases are fully capable of partitioning and formatting a bare drive for Windows to install onto. The price does vary for the oem releases at different sites with some including the upgrade coupon for Vista. Any older version of Windows is simply upgraded with the newer version of Windows when starting the installer while the older version is running even 95. You are always better off with a full version for custom builds since you can reinstall Windows if necessary at any time.
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He's right!

DELL, Gateway, HP, SONY, Toshbia, IBM to name a few have recovery CDs for their computers. Being that you have an old Dell that's what you are stuck with.

Being that you are building a new system from scratch... it's wise to buy an oem version of the OS for this reason. Besides, the recovery CD's that came with your Dell is for the Dell and it's hardware. Not to say you can't install the OS into your built system - but don't try to register it until you have the oem. It's what I discovered. Although, you will notice that in some Dell software version it doesn't require you to register...

My suggestion, use it for now but look at buying VISTA or XP with a coupon for VISTA.
 
I'm in the same situation, I've just started building computers for other people, and probably the best place to look is eBay, but try and find an auction that's just started, with a low buy it now. The XP Pro link will probably rise up over $100 before it ends.... I got a copy of XP Home for $80 shipped using buy it now.
 
An OEM disk simply lacks the fancy cardboard retail box and paperback Windows manual. The installation booklet is still included with the disk in a small cdo rdvd holder usually shipped in a plain white carton. Keep the product id number safe since that is the number you have to enter when getting the installer running. That will on a small sticker.

The OEM besides retail boax and manual is no different except you won't see it sitting on a shelf in a retail store. They are often those included with a prebuilt system like Dell or HP where other drivers/software may be included or simply sold for system builders. "Like us"! :D
 
Well the real question is if it's safe to get OEM. I don't really understand the concept behind it. Is it a one-time install?
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You can install it as many times as you want as long as you do it on the same computer.
 
OEM is "assigned" to your mobo. So when you upgrade mobo you need new OS.
You can upgrade other parts of your computer but to a certain point.
When you change bunch of components you need reactivete windows.
 
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