Startup boot disc for ME -full version

[Guest Dave in Pgh.]

Anyone know where i can get a startup floppy for ME .Now this is NOT a

recovery disc but the one that comes with the full version . Mine.the lock

slid to unlock and i erased it by accident . I need to install Windows ME so

i can install XP Home Upgrade over ME . These are both retail versions .

Dave

[Guest webster72n]

Re: Startup boot disc for ME -full version

 

 

WinME doesn't fit on a floppy, it should be a CD.

Any idea what you did with it?

 

Harry

 

 

"Dave in Pgh." <Dave from Pgh.@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message

news:3D230FFB-1191-4776-A259-AD1060CC4A0C@microsoft.com...

> Anyone know where i can get a startup floppy for ME .Now this is NOT a

> recovery disc but the one that comes with the full version . Mine.the lock

> slid to unlock and i erased it by accident . I need to install Windows ME

so

> i can install XP Home Upgrade over ME . These are both retail versions .

> Dave

[Guest Dave from Pgh.]

Re: Startup boot disc for ME -full version

 

Guess you never bought a retail version of ME .2 items are in the box .

1-Windows me OS . 2-Boot disc . Without the boot disc you can't install ME .

 

"webster72n" wrote:

>

> WinME doesn't fit on a floppy, it should be a CD.

> Any idea what you did with it?

>

> Harry

>

>

> "Dave in Pgh." <Dave from Pgh.@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message

> news:3D230FFB-1191-4776-A259-AD1060CC4A0C@microsoft.com...

> > Anyone know where i can get a startup floppy for ME .Now this is NOT a

> > recovery disc but the one that comes with the full version . Mine.the lock

> > slid to unlock and i erased it by accident . I need to install Windows ME

> so

> > i can install XP Home Upgrade over ME . These are both retail versions .

> > Dave

>

>

>

[Guest Alias]

Re: Startup boot disc for ME -full version

 

Dave in Pgh. wrote:

> Anyone know where i can get a startup floppy for ME .Now this is NOT a

> recovery disc but the one that comes with the full version . Mine.the lock

> slid to unlock and i erased it by accident . I need to install Windows ME so

> i can install XP Home Upgrade over ME . These are both retail versions .

> Dave

 

http://www.bootdisk.com

 

Alias

[Guest webster72n]

Re: Startup boot disc for ME -full version

 

 

Can't say that I'm familiar with such a boot disk.

The only way to replace it in your case, would be someone supplying you with

it, because MS quit support over a year ago.

Don't know about the legality of it either.

Wish you luck. <H>.

 

 

"Dave from Pgh." <DavefromPgh@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message

news:10526A08-C49E-4FC0-A6BE-33AD4A3705D8@microsoft.com...

> Guess you never bought a retail version of ME .2 items are in the box .

> 1-Windows me OS . 2-Boot disc . Without the boot disc you can't install ME

..

>

> "webster72n" wrote:

>

> >

> > WinME doesn't fit on a floppy, it should be a CD.

> > Any idea what you did with it?

> >

> > Harry

> >

> >

> > "Dave in Pgh." <Dave from Pgh.@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in

message

> > news:3D230FFB-1191-4776-A259-AD1060CC4A0C@microsoft.com...

> > > Anyone know where i can get a startup floppy for ME .Now this is NOT a

> > > recovery disc but the one that comes with the full version . Mine.the

lock

> > > slid to unlock and i erased it by accident . I need to install

Windows ME

> > so

> > > i can install XP Home Upgrade over ME . These are both retail versions

..

> > > Dave

> >

> >

> >

[Guest webster72n]

Re: Startup boot disc for ME -full version

 

 

"Alias" <aka@masked&anonymous.li> wrote in message

news:eNR3oR$zHHA.5484@TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl...

> Dave in Pgh. wrote:

> > Anyone know where i can get a startup floppy for ME .Now this is NOT a

> > recovery disc but the one that comes with the full version . Mine.the

lock

> > slid to unlock and i erased it by accident . I need to install Windows

ME so

> > i can install XP Home Upgrade over ME . These are both retail versions .

> > Dave

>

> http://www.bootdisk.com

 

Don't know why this simple solution didn't occurr to me, Alias. Thanks. <H>.

>

> Alias

[Guest John John]

Re: Startup boot disc for ME -full version

 

Dave in Pgh. wrote:

> Anyone know where i can get a startup floppy for ME .Now this is NOT a

> recovery disc but the one that comes with the full version . Mine.the lock

> slid to unlock and i erased it by accident . I need to install Windows ME so

> i can install XP Home Upgrade over ME . These are both retail versions .

> Dave

 

1.- The Windows ME cd is bootable and on modern computers you don't

need a floppy startup disk to install ME.

 

2.- You don't have to install Windows ME to install an upgrade version

of Windows XP. You can use the XP upgrade cd to do a clean

installation, you just need proof of previous ownership of a qualifying

Windows version. Just boot the computer with the XP cd and proceed to

install XP. When it tells you that it found no Windows installation to

upgrade you will be asked to insert the cd of a previous Windows version

in the cd drive. When the XP setup program is satisfied that you have a

qualifying Windows version it will proceed and install XP cleanly.

 

John

[Guest Mike M]

Re: Startup boot disc for ME -full version

 

> 1.- The Windows ME cd is bootable

 

Unfortunately that is very often not the case. _Some_ OEM Win Me CDs are

bootable but the majority if not all of those sold by Microsoft were not.

> 2.- You don't have to install Windows ME to install an upgrade

> version of Windows XP.

 

Indeed but only true where the user has a Win Me CD (OEM or Microsoft).

Those who only have OEM Restore disks have to follow the install and

upgrade route.

--

Mike Maltby

mike.maltby@gmail.com

 

 

John John <audetweld@nbnet.nb.ca> wrote:

> 1.- The Windows ME cd is bootable and on modern computers you don't

> need a floppy startup disk to install ME.

>

> 2.- You don't have to install Windows ME to install an upgrade

> version of Windows XP. You can use the XP upgrade cd to do a clean

> installation, you just need proof of previous ownership of a

> qualifying Windows version. Just boot the computer with the XP cd

> and proceed to install XP. When it tells you that it found no

> Windows installation to upgrade you will be asked to insert the cd of

> a previous Windows version in the cd drive. When the XP setup

> program is satisfied that you have a qualifying Windows version it

> will proceed and install XP cleanly.

[Guest John John]

Re: Startup boot disc for ME -full version

 

Mike M wrote:

>> 1.- The Windows ME cd is bootable

>

>

> Unfortunately that is very often not the case. _Some_ OEM Win Me CDs

> are bootable but the majority if not all of those sold by Microsoft were

> not.

 

What were the boneheads at Microsoft thinking of! Being that Windows 98

and NT4 cd's were bootable what ever possessed Microsoft to make ME cd's

that can't be booted? Boneheads! Real boneheads!

 

>> 2.- You don't have to install Windows ME to install an upgrade

>> version of Windows XP.

>

>

> Indeed but only true where the user has a Win Me CD (OEM or Microsoft).

> Those who only have OEM Restore disks have to follow the install and

> upgrade route.

 

Yes, that is true. I didn't bother to add that because the op said he

had a full retail version.

 

John

[Guest Mike M]

Re: Startup boot disc for ME -full version

 

John,

 

Microsoft sourced Win 98 and Win98SE CDs weren't bootable either, or so as

to cover any that I haven't encountered, I've never personally come across

a bootable Microsoft Win9x CD and I have quite a few copies here. I don't

know why but for some reason Microsoft simply didn't include this

functionality whereas most OEMs jumped on the opportunity to make life

easier for those using their media.

> Yes, that is true. I didn't bother to add that because the op said he

> had a full retail version.

 

Point taken, my fault for being the one not reading the complete thread

before posting.

--

Mike Maltby

mike.maltby@gmail.com

 

 

John John <audetweld@nbnet.nb.ca> wrote:

>> Unfortunately that is very often not the case. _Some_ OEM Win Me CDs

>> are bootable but the majority if not all of those sold by Microsoft

>> were not.

>

> What were the boneheads at Microsoft thinking of! Being that Windows

> 98 and NT4 cd's were bootable what ever possessed Microsoft to make

> ME cd's that can't be booted? Boneheads! Real boneheads!

>

>

>>> 2.- You don't have to install Windows ME to install an upgrade

>>> version of Windows XP.

>>

>>

>> Indeed but only true where the user has a Win Me CD (OEM or

>> Microsoft). Those who only have OEM Restore disks have to follow the

>> install and upgrade route.

>

> Yes, that is true. I didn't bother to add that because the op said he

> had a full retail version.

[Guest John John]

Re: Startup boot disc for ME -full version

 

I didn't know that. I have a Genuine Microsoft Windows 98 SE OEM here

and it is bootable. The cd is a generic OEM and it is definitely from

Microsoft, says 0499 Part No. X05-29162 on it. I wonder why this OEM cd

from Microsoft is bootable yet retails would not be. Strange...

 

John

 

Mike M wrote:

> John,

>

> Microsoft sourced Win 98 and Win98SE CDs weren't bootable either, or so

> as to cover any that I haven't encountered, I've never personally come

> across a bootable Microsoft Win9x CD and I have quite a few copies

> here. I don't know why but for some reason Microsoft simply didn't

> include this functionality whereas most OEMs jumped on the opportunity

> to make life easier for those using their media.

>

>> Yes, that is true. I didn't bother to add that because the op said he

>> had a full retail version.

>

>

> Point taken, my fault for being the one not reading the complete thread

> before posting.

[Guest Mike M]

Re: Startup boot disc for ME -full version

 

John John <audetweld@nbnet.nb.ca> wrote:

> I didn't know that. I have a Genuine Microsoft Windows 98 SE OEM here

> and it is bootable. The cd is a generic OEM and it is definitely from

> Microsoft, says 0499 Part No. X05-29162 on it. I wonder why this OEM

> cd from Microsoft is bootable yet retails would not be. Strange...

 

Because it's an OEM CD with support and added functionality provided by

the OEM although the actual disk would still be marked as Genuine

Microsoft. It probably contains additional text such as to only be used

with the PC with which it was sold although OEM system disks are also

available through the builder channel including many component shops. To

the best of my knowledge no Win 9x CDs marketed by Microsoft were

bootable. I have heard rumours of there being one exception but from the

sparse details I was given feel it was in fact an OEM CD.

--

Mike Maltby

mike.maltby@gmail.com

[Guest John John]

Re: Startup boot disc for ME -full version

 

Mike M wrote:

> John John <audetweld@nbnet.nb.ca> wrote:

>

>> I didn't know that. I have a Genuine Microsoft Windows 98 SE OEM here

>> and it is bootable. The cd is a generic OEM and it is definitely from

>> Microsoft, says 0499 Part No. X05-29162 on it. I wonder why this OEM

>> cd from Microsoft is bootable yet retails would not be. Strange...

>

>

> Because it's an OEM CD with support and added functionality provided by

> the OEM although the actual disk would still be marked as Genuine

> Microsoft. It probably contains additional text such as to only be used

> with the PC with which it was sold although OEM system disks are also

> available through the builder channel including many component shops.

> To the best of my knowledge no Win 9x CDs marketed by Microsoft were

> bootable. I have heard rumours of there being one exception but from

> the sparse details I was given feel it was in fact an OEM CD.

 

I don't know Mike, it looks like a real Microsoft OEM cd. It's

hologramed and marked Microsoft all over. It looks like the kind of OEM

cd that Microsoft sells for small system builders. I will take a look

at the files on it later and see if I can find anything from them.

 

John

[Guest Mike M]

Re: Startup boot disc for ME -full version

 

John,

 

Yes, it's still a real CD and carries the name Microsoft but it's an OEM

CD. Those sold by Microsoft to the public make are better called retail

media and make no mention of OEM nor do they carry restrictive text such

as that saying only for sale with a new PC or similar. This doesn't mean

an OEM CD isn't genuine and will still have a holograph or whatever on its

surface however the EULA is somewhat more restrictive than that on a

retail CD. Some OEM CDs (although I think not for 9x systems) are also

bios locked to a specific OEM bios version.

 

Here in the UK I can purchase from a first class reputable e-tailer (dabs)

both retail and OEM DVDs for Vista Premium with the OEM copy costing

UKP62.35 including tax and the retail Microsoft copy costing 3x more

UKP182.27 (yes we pay a real premium over here for much of our software).

What's the difference? Firstly the OEM copy comes with no support as that

is provided by the system builder and if you buy and build your own PCs

that means you. Secondly and more important is that the OEM copy is

permanently "bound" to the hardware on which it was first installed

whereas the Microsoft retail copy can legally be moved from PC to PC

provided that you warrant to Microsoft that the operating system has been

removed or the machine no longer exists on which the OS was previously

installed. The same was true of OEM Win 9x systems but in those days

Microsoft "trusted" its customers and hadn't yet resorted to product

activation and "Windows Genuine Advantage" to try and protect its

products.

 

Trivial I know but for Win Me, but not any other Win 9x system, when Win

Me is installed from OEM media the Win Me setup/cab files are by default

placed in the folder C:\Windows\Options\Cabs whereas if the system is

installed from retail media the setup and cab files are placed in the

folder C:\Windows\Options\Install although it is not unknown for some OEMs

to place them elsewhere on the system - even in a different partition.

 

See for example KB305666 which contains the text "NOTE: Use

C:\Windows\Options\Install if you installed a Windows Me retail product,

or C:\Windows\Options\Cabs if your computer manufacturer installed Windows

Me."

--

Mike M

 

 

John John <audetweld@nbnet.nb.ca> wrote:

> Mike M wrote:

> I don't know Mike, it looks like a real Microsoft OEM cd. It's

> hologramed and marked Microsoft all over. It looks like the kind of

> OEM cd that Microsoft sells for small system builders. I will take a

> look at the files on it later and see if I can find anything from

> them.

[Guest Eric]

Re: Startup boot disc for ME -full version

 

This has been discussed here before. I have a WinME CD that looks all

official like it's straight from MS, with the hologram on it, but it is

bootable and apparently OEM. Apparently if you actually bought it

separately packaged straight from MS it wasn't bootable. Mine came with a

computer, just not as I normally think of as OEM, that is the system restore

disks that only work on the system they come with.

Now they're getting cheap and don't even sell you system restore disks. You

have to buy as many as 14 blanks and make your own restore disks.

 

"John John" <audetweld@nbnet.nb.ca> wrote in message

news:uKHrFfH0HHA.1188@TK2MSFTNGP04.phx.gbl...

> I don't know Mike, it looks like a real Microsoft OEM cd. It's hologramed

> and marked Microsoft all over. It looks like the kind of OEM cd that

> Microsoft sells for small system builders. I will take a look at the

> files on it later and see if I can find anything from them.

>

> John

>

[Guest Mike M]

Re: Startup boot disc for ME -full version

 

Eric.

 

Check the EULA on the disk. Does it make any reference to OEM and/or any

restrictions on moving the OS between computers? In addition where does

it place the Win Me cab files when used to install the OS? If

C:\Windows\Options\Cabs it's an OEM CD and if C:\Windows\Options\Install a

retail copy.

--

Mike Maltby

mike.maltby@gmail.com

 

 

Eric <someone@microsoft.com> wrote:

> This has been discussed here before. I have a WinME CD that looks all

> official like it's straight from MS, with the hologram on it, but it

> is bootable and apparently OEM. Apparently if you actually bought it

> separately packaged straight from MS it wasn't bootable. Mine came

> with a computer, just not as I normally think of as OEM, that is the

> system restore disks that only work on the system they come with.

> Now they're getting cheap and don't even sell you system restore

> disks. You have to buy as many as 14 blanks and make your own

> restore disks.

[Guest Shane]

Re: Startup boot disc for ME -full version

 

I'm pretty sure my old Systemax ME cd was bios-locked, Mike. In latter years

try as I might I could not get the original cd to run. It did work fine but

I made my faux-retail copies - initially specifically in order not to wear

out or scratch to shreds the original - then put it away in a safe place.

The only thing I could think was that I flashed the bios meantime.

 

 

Shane

 

 

"Mike M" <No_Spam@Corned_Beef.Only> wrote in message

news:uI5YE%23I0HHA.3788@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl...

> John,

>

> Yes, it's still a real CD and carries the name Microsoft but it's an OEM

> CD. Those sold by Microsoft to the public make are better called retail

> media and make no mention of OEM nor do they carry restrictive text such

> as that saying only for sale with a new PC or similar. This doesn't mean

> an OEM CD isn't genuine and will still have a holograph or whatever on its

> surface however the EULA is somewhat more restrictive than that on a

> retail CD. Some OEM CDs (although I think not for 9x systems) are also

> bios locked to a specific OEM bios version.

>

> Here in the UK I can purchase from a first class reputable e-tailer (dabs)

> both retail and OEM DVDs for Vista Premium with the OEM copy costing

> UKP62.35 including tax and the retail Microsoft copy costing 3x more

> UKP182.27 (yes we pay a real premium over here for much of our software).

> What's the difference? Firstly the OEM copy comes with no support as that

> is provided by the system builder and if you buy and build your own PCs

> that means you. Secondly and more important is that the OEM copy is

> permanently "bound" to the hardware on which it was first installed

> whereas the Microsoft retail copy can legally be moved from PC to PC

> provided that you warrant to Microsoft that the operating system has been

> removed or the machine no longer exists on which the OS was previously

> installed. The same was true of OEM Win 9x systems but in those days

> Microsoft "trusted" its customers and hadn't yet resorted to product

> activation and "Windows Genuine Advantage" to try and protect its

> products.

>

> Trivial I know but for Win Me, but not any other Win 9x system, when Win

> Me is installed from OEM media the Win Me setup/cab files are by default

> placed in the folder C:\Windows\Options\Cabs whereas if the system is

> installed from retail media the setup and cab files are placed in the

> folder C:\Windows\Options\Install although it is not unknown for some OEMs

> to place them elsewhere on the system - even in a different partition.

>

> See for example KB305666 which contains the text "NOTE: Use

> C:\Windows\Options\Install if you installed a Windows Me retail product,

> or C:\Windows\Options\Cabs if your computer manufacturer installed Windows

> Me."

> --

> Mike M

>

>

> John John <audetweld@nbnet.nb.ca> wrote:

>

>> Mike M wrote:

>

>> I don't know Mike, it looks like a real Microsoft OEM cd. It's

>> hologramed and marked Microsoft all over. It looks like the kind of

>> OEM cd that Microsoft sells for small system builders. I will take a

>> look at the files on it later and see if I can find anything from

>> them.

>

[Guest John John]

Re: Startup boot disc for ME -full version

 

I understand the difference between retail and OEM, the Windows 98 SE cd

that I have here is an OEM cd. My point is that this cd appears to have

been made or "pressed" by Microsoft, it is not specific to any

particular make of pc, it's a plain generic OEM cd and it is bootable.

I am just wondering why Microsoft would make plain OEM cd's bootable and

not the retail versions, I find that odd.

 

About the cost of software in the UK, yes it is expensive compared to

most other countries. We have had discussions about this in the XP

groups and no one could offer a good reason for the large price

differences. We know that it isn't taxes, tariffs or duty because

software has a zero rated tariff. The prices before VAT are way out of

line with what consumers are paying in other countries, someone is

pocketing excess profits somewhere.

 

John

 

Mike M wrote:

> John,

>

> Yes, it's still a real CD and carries the name Microsoft but it's an OEM

> CD. Those sold by Microsoft to the public make are better called retail

> media and make no mention of OEM nor do they carry restrictive text such

> as that saying only for sale with a new PC or similar. This doesn't

> mean an OEM CD isn't genuine and will still have a holograph or whatever

> on its surface however the EULA is somewhat more restrictive than that

> on a retail CD. Some OEM CDs (although I think not for 9x systems) are

> also bios locked to a specific OEM bios version.

>

> Here in the UK I can purchase from a first class reputable e-tailer

> (dabs) both retail and OEM DVDs for Vista Premium with the OEM copy

> costing UKP62.35 including tax and the retail Microsoft copy costing 3x

> more UKP182.27 (yes we pay a real premium over here for much of our

> software). What's the difference? Firstly the OEM copy comes with no

> support as that is provided by the system builder and if you buy and

> build your own PCs that means you. Secondly and more important is that

> the OEM copy is permanently "bound" to the hardware on which it was

> first installed whereas the Microsoft retail copy can legally be moved

> from PC to PC provided that you warrant to Microsoft that the operating

> system has been removed or the machine no longer exists on which the OS

> was previously installed. The same was true of OEM Win 9x systems but

> in those days Microsoft "trusted" its customers and hadn't yet resorted

> to product activation and "Windows Genuine Advantage" to try and protect

> its products.

>

> Trivial I know but for Win Me, but not any other Win 9x system, when Win

> Me is installed from OEM media the Win Me setup/cab files are by default

> placed in the folder C:\Windows\Options\Cabs whereas if the system is

> installed from retail media the setup and cab files are placed in the

> folder C:\Windows\Options\Install although it is not unknown for some

> OEMs to place them elsewhere on the system - even in a different partition.

>

> See for example KB305666 which contains the text "NOTE: Use

> C:\Windows\Options\Install if you installed a Windows Me retail product,

> or C:\Windows\Options\Cabs if your computer manufacturer installed

> Windows Me."

[Guest Mike M]

Re: Startup boot disc for ME -full version

 

> someone is pocketing excess profits somewhere.

 

That someone being Microsoft and Adobe since they are the ones setting the

prices to their distributors. As to why, Bill Gates was unable to give an

answer instead just mumbled when asked this very question by a BBC

reporter at the launch of Vista in the UK at the British Library. It is

for that reason that I always strongly urge users wherever possible to buy

legal OEM copies rather than rip-off Microsoft retail copies.

--

Mike Maltby

mike.maltby@gmail.com

 

 

John John <audetweld@nbnet.nb.ca> wrote:

> I understand the difference between retail and OEM, the Windows 98 SE

> cd that I have here is an OEM cd. My point is that this cd appears

> to have been made or "pressed" by Microsoft, it is not specific to any

> particular make of pc, it's a plain generic OEM cd and it is bootable.

> I am just wondering why Microsoft would make plain OEM cd's bootable

> and not the retail versions, I find that odd.

>

> About the cost of software in the UK, yes it is expensive compared to

> most other countries. We have had discussions about this in the XP

> groups and no one could offer a good reason for the large price

> differences. We know that it isn't taxes, tariffs or duty because

> software has a zero rated tariff. The prices before VAT are way out

> of line with what consumers are paying in other countries, someone is

> pocketing excess profits somewhere.

[Guest John John]

Re: Startup boot disc for ME -full version

 

Mike M wrote:

>> someone is pocketing excess profits somewhere.

>

>

> That someone being Microsoft and Adobe since they are the ones setting

> the prices to their distributors. As to why, Bill Gates was unable to

> give an answer instead just mumbled when asked this very question by a

> BBC reporter at the launch of Vista in the UK at the British Library.

> It is for that reason that I always strongly urge users wherever

> possible to buy legal OEM copies rather than rip-off Microsoft retail

> copies.

 

Yes, indeed. When the WTO's Information Technology Agreement was

reached Microsoft had this to say:

 

" This agreement will mean lower costs and greater access to

innovation and technology for consumers in every nation around the world.

 

"Eliminating tariffs on information technology products will be a

win-win for every country and every consumer..."

http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/press/1996/dec96/ita.mspx

 

I guess on Microsoft's map the UK is not a part of the "world". In view

of the outrageous prices being charged by some companies the UK should

review it's implementation of the ITA. It could allow firms that play

fair to benefit from the zero tariffs and it should imposed hefty

tariffs on those who would seek to fleece the consumers. By hefty I

mean something like 1000%!

 

John

[Guest Mike M]

Re: Startup boot disc for ME -full version

 

John John <audetweld@nbnet.nb.ca> wrote:

> Yes, indeed. When the WTO's Information Technology Agreement was

> reached Microsoft had this to say:

>

> " This agreement will mean lower costs and greater access to

> innovation and technology for consumers in every nation around the

> world.

> "Eliminating tariffs on information technology products will be a

> win-win for every country and every consumer..."

> http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/press/1996/dec96/ita.mspx

>

> I guess on Microsoft's map the UK is not a part of the "world". In

> view of the outrageous prices being charged by some companies the UK

> should review it's implementation of the ITA. It could allow firms

> that play fair to benefit from the zero tariffs and it should imposed

> hefty tariffs on those who would seek to fleece the consumers. By

> hefty I mean something like 1000%!

 

Whilst I'd like to see the UK taking such action it will never happen with

our current crop of spineless politicians (of all hues). As it is

Microsoft and the others simply laugh at us all the way to the bank.

Whilst I don't condone the use of illegal copies of software I'm one who

strongly recommends users to look to cheaper alternatives when considering

new software including flavours of Linux where appropriate, Open Office

and if they have to use Microsoft to go the OEM route. Microsoft's

limited "free" telephone support for their retail products simply isn't

worth the premium given the free public access to their KB and the

newsgroups. Similarly I recommend users to ask themselves whether they

really need or want Vista or Office 2007 and if not to stick with XP and

their earlier Office version.

--

Mike M

[Guest Mart]

Re: Startup boot disc for ME -full version

 

Mike wrote :-

> ... Similarly I recommend users to ask themselves

> whether they really need or want Vista or Office 2007

> and if not to stick with XP and their earlier Office version.

 

Amen to that Mike.

 

Mart

 

 

"Mike M" <No_Spam@Corned_Beef.Only> wrote in message

news:%23n1ONqS0HHA.3536@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl...

> John John <audetweld@nbnet.nb.ca> wrote:

>

>> Yes, indeed. When the WTO's Information Technology Agreement was

>> reached Microsoft had this to say:

>>

>> " This agreement will mean lower costs and greater access to

>> innovation and technology for consumers in every nation around the

>> world.

>> "Eliminating tariffs on information technology products will be a

>> win-win for every country and every consumer..."

>> http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/press/1996/dec96/ita.mspx

>>

>> I guess on Microsoft's map the UK is not a part of the "world". In

>> view of the outrageous prices being charged by some companies the UK

>> should review it's implementation of the ITA. It could allow firms

>> that play fair to benefit from the zero tariffs and it should imposed

>> hefty tariffs on those who would seek to fleece the consumers. By

>> hefty I mean something like 1000%!

>

> Whilst I'd like to see the UK taking such action it will never happen with

> our current crop of spineless politicians (of all hues). As it is

> Microsoft and the others simply laugh at us all the way to the bank.

> Whilst I don't condone the use of illegal copies of software I'm one who

> strongly recommends users to look to cheaper alternatives when considering

> new software including flavours of Linux where appropriate, Open Office

> and if they have to use Microsoft to go the OEM route. Microsoft's

> limited "free" telephone support for their retail products simply isn't

> worth the premium given the free public access to their KB and the

> newsgroups. Similarly I recommend users to ask themselves whether they

> really need or want Vista or Office 2007 and if not to stick with XP and

> their earlier Office version.

> --

> Mike M

>

>

[Guest Ogg]

Re: Startup boot disc for ME -full version

 

> ...........It is for that reason that I always strongly urge

> users wherever possible to buy legal OEM copies rather than rip-off

> Microsoft retail copies.

 

 

But there is one distinct advantage to the retail copy: it allows

undestructive re-installs or restore - that is, preserving personal files

and data. On the other hand, OEM versions install from scratch and

overwrite everything.

 

But I'm with your regarding the cheaper OEM. Armed with a good

clone/imaging software, an OEM version would be just fine.