Buying a copy of Windows - I'm confused

June 6, 2008

I want to buy a layaway copy of Windows XP Pro. I don't need to

install it right away, but I want to have one, just in case I get a

new computer and XP isn't available at that time anymore.

Obviously I want a legal copy.

As far as I can see when searching, I can find the following types:

Full version (about $114-128)

OEM version ($90-110)

Media only ($29)

License + media ($135)

So what's legal with what?

Since I sometimes build/upgrade my own computers, I believe I can

legally install the OEM version on such a modified computer, right?

But what is the media-only option? What does that not have that makes

it so cheap?

And what makes the License+media option so expensive?

Thanks for any clarification.

June 6, 2008

Re: Buying a copy of Windows - I'm confused

You need to be careful and purchase Windows XP from

an established, reputable source. Anyone offering a

"media only" version is attempting to sell you a

non-genuine version which does not include a

genuine license nor a Certificate of Authenticity.

What to Know before you Buy:

http://www.microsoft.com/resources/howtotell/content.aspx?displaylang=en&pg=prepurchase

--

Carey Frisch

Microsoft MVP

Windows Desktop Experience -

Windows Vista Enthusiast

---------------------------------------------------------------

"MikeB" wrote:

I want to buy a layaway copy of Windows XP Pro. I don't need to

install it right away, but I want to have one, just in case I get a

new computer and XP isn't available at that time anymore.

Obviously I want a legal copy.

As far as I can see when searching, I can find the following types:

Full version (about $114-128)

OEM version ($90-110)

Media only ($29)

License + media ($135)

So what's legal with what?

Since I sometimes build/upgrade my own computers, I believe I can

legally install the OEM version on such a modified computer, right?

But what is the media-only option? What does that not have that makes

it so cheap?

And what makes the License+media option so expensive?

Thanks for any clarification.

June 6, 2008

Re: Buying a copy of Windows - I'm confused

It could be you don't get the media with the first two. The "media only"

is just that, no license, but you broke your CD and need another. be

sure to read the fine print as to what you are going to get.

MikeB wrote:

> I want to buy a layaway copy of Windows XP Pro. I don't need to

> install it right away, but I want to have one, just in case I get a

> new computer and XP isn't available at that time anymore.

>

> Obviously I want a legal copy.

>

> As far as I can see when searching, I can find the following types:

>

> Full version (about $114-128)

> OEM version ($90-110)

> Media only ($29)

> License + media ($135)

>

> So what's legal with what?

>

> Since I sometimes build/upgrade my own computers, I believe I can

> legally install the OEM version on such a modified computer, right?

>

> But what is the media-only option? What does that not have that makes

> it so cheap?

>

> And what makes the License+media option so expensive?

>

> Thanks for any clarification.

>

June 6, 2008

Re: Buying a copy of Windows - I'm confused

MikeB wrote:

> I want to buy a layaway copy of Windows XP Pro. I don't need to

> install it right away, but I want to have one, just in case I get a

> new computer and XP isn't available at that time anymore.

>

> Obviously I want a legal copy.

>

> As far as I can see when searching, I can find the following types:

>

> Full version (about $114-128)

> OEM version ($90-110)

> Media only ($29)

> License + media ($135)

>

> So what's legal with what?

>

> Since I sometimes build/upgrade my own computers, I believe I can

> legally install the OEM version on such a modified computer, right?

>

> But what is the media-only option? What does that not have that makes

> it so cheap?

>

> And what makes the License+media option so expensive?

>

> Thanks for any clarification.

>

If I understand correctly,

Full Version means that you can call Microsoft for help in

certain circumstances.

OEM means that whoever you install it for calls you for help.

Media only is an install disk for someone who has a license

but lost the disk.

Media plus license I haven't dealt with. Can't help you there.

June 6, 2008

Re: Buying a copy of Windows - I'm confused

Full - 100% compatible for any use on a single PC.

OEM - New PC, non transferable, no upgrades.

Media Only - Just the install disk - No Product Key

*There are situations like businesses where a disk

only purchase is needed.

License-&-Media - Disk and Product Key, no idea of

whether it's Retail, OEM or upgrade

The vendors I deal with are having a run on Windows XP.

For most users I'd recommend checking with both Newegg

and Tiger Direct for XP. Avoid eBay and Craig's list as

purchases there are always risky when it comes to PK type

software.

"MikeB" <MPBrede@gmail.com> wrote in message

news:77f13e5b-3a57-4fdb-ba80-9276e2e4b049@c58g2000hsc.googlegroups.com...

>I want to buy a layaway copy of Windows XP Pro. I don't need to

> install it right away, but I want to have one, just in case I get a

> new computer and XP isn't available at that time anymore.

>

> Obviously I want a legal copy.

>

> As far as I can see when searching, I can find the following types:

>

> Full version (about $114-128)

> OEM version ($90-110)

> Media only ($29)

> License + media ($135)

>

> So what's legal with what?

>

> Since I sometimes build/upgrade my own computers, I believe I can

> legally install the OEM version on such a modified computer, right?

>

> But what is the media-only option? What does that not have that makes

> it so cheap?

>

> And what makes the License+media option so expensive?

>

> Thanks for any clarification.

>

June 6, 2008

Re: Buying a copy of Windows - I'm confused

MikeB wrote:

> I want to buy a layaway copy of Windows XP Pro. I don't need to

> install it right away, but I want to have one, just in case I get a

> new computer and XP isn't available at that time anymore.

>

> Obviously I want a legal copy.

>

> As far as I can see when searching, I can find the following types:

>

> Full version (about $114-128)

> OEM version ($90-110)

> Media only ($29)

> License + media ($135)

>

> So what's legal with what?

>

> Since I sometimes build/upgrade my own computers, I believe I can

> legally install the OEM version on such a modified computer, right?

>

> But what is the media-only option? What does that not have that makes

> it so cheap?

>

> And what makes the License+media option so expensive?

>

> Thanks for any clarification.

>

You need to shop at a reputable place like this one:

http://www.newegg.com/Store/SubCategory.aspx?SubCategory=368&name=Operating-Systems

Alias

June 6, 2008

Re: Buying a copy of Windows - I'm confused

MikeB wrote:

> I want to buy a layaway copy of Windows XP Pro. I don't need to

> install it right away, but I want to have one, just in case I get a

> new computer and XP isn't available at that time anymore.

>

> Obviously I want a legal copy.

>

> As far as I can see when searching, I can find the following types:

>

> Full version (about $114-128)

> OEM version ($90-110)

> Media only ($29)

> License + media ($135)

>

> So what's legal with what?

>

> Since I sometimes build/upgrade my own computers, I believe I can

> legally install the OEM version on such a modified computer, right?

>

> But what is the media-only option? What does that not have that makes

> it so cheap?

>

> And what makes the License+media option so expensive?

>

> Thanks for any clarification.

>

I'm surprised the later two don't come with explanations of content.

I'm surprised the web pages don't all come with explanations.

My guess is the first two are what you want. IIRC OEM means you take on

the support for the software, you can't run to mommy (MS). :-)

Since media only is $29, I'd also guess its a CD without the CDKey.

Basically a replacement media for your original. You use your old key.

The last I can't guess at.

June 6, 2008

Re: Buying a copy of Windows - I'm confused

MikeB wrote:

> I want to buy a layaway copy of Windows XP Pro. I don't need to

> install it right away, but I want to have one, just in case I get a

> new computer and XP isn't available at that time anymore.

>

> Obviously I want a legal copy.

>

> As far as I can see when searching, I can find the following types:

>

> Full version (about $114-128)

For the long term, this would be your best option.

> OEM version ($90-110)

> Media only ($29)

> License + media ($135)

>

> So what's legal with what?

>

They're all legal, under the proper circumstances.

> Since I sometimes build/upgrade my own computers, I believe I can

> legally install the OEM version on such a modified computer, right?

>

Certainly. But remember that an OEM license, once installed, is not

legally transferable to another computer under _any_ circumstances.

That's the primary reason it's so much less expensive than the retail

license.

> But what is the media-only option? What does that not have that makes

> it so cheap?

>

It has ho license; you're buying nothing but the CD. You would already

have to have an unused license (Product Key) for this to do you any good.

> And what makes the License+media option so expensive?

>

That's the Volume License, normally sold to businesses in minimum lots

of 5.

--

Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:

http://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx/kb/555375

They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary

safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. ~Benjamin Franklin

Many people would rather die than think; in fact, most do. ~Bertrand Russell

The philosopher has never killed any priests, whereas the priest has

killed a great many philosophers.

~ Denis Diderot

June 6, 2008

Re: Buying a copy of Windows - I'm confused

MikeB <MPBrede@gmail.com> wrote:

>I want to buy a layaway copy of Windows XP Pro. I don't need to

>install it right away, but I want to have one, just in case I get a

>new computer and XP isn't available at that time anymore.

>

>Obviously I want a legal copy.

>

>As far as I can see when searching, I can find the following types:

>

>Full version (about $114-128)

This will allow you to do anything: install on a new machine, upgrade

an older system, reinstall on another machine if you remove it from

the original one. You also get support from MS.

>OEM version ($90-110)

Installs only on a new machine (no OS currently installed). Will not

upgrade an older system, cannot be moved to another machine even if

the first one ceases to exist. No support from MS.

>Media only ($29)

Just a disk, no license. If you load from the disk, you won't be able

to activate.

>License + media ($135)

Like the full version, I guess. It depends on what kind of license.

--

Tim Slattery

MS MVP(Shell/User)

Slattery_T@bls.gov

http://members.cox.net/slatteryt

June 6, 2008

Re: Buying a copy of Windows - I'm confused

On Fri, 6 Jun 2008 10:07:14 -0700 (PDT), MikeB <MPBrede@gmail.com>

wrote:

> I want to buy a layaway copy of Windows XP Pro. I don't need to

> install it right away, but I want to have one, just in case I get a

> new computer and XP isn't available at that time anymore.

>

> Obviously I want a legal copy.

>

> As far as I can see when searching, I can find the following types:

>

> Full version (about $114-128)

> OEM version ($90-110)

> Media only ($29)

> License + media ($135)

>

> So what's legal with what?

Stay away from that very cheap "Media only" copy. It sounds bootleg.

You essentially have three choices:

1. OEM

2. Retail Full

3. Retail Upgrade

The OEM version is normally the cheapest of the three. Although if you

get a complete generic OEM version, it contains the same software, it

has the following disadvantages as compared with the retail version:

a. Its license ties it permanently to the first computer it's

installed on. It can never legally be moved to another computer, sold,

or given away (except with the original computer).

b. It can only do a clean installation, not an upgrade.

c. Microsoft provides no support for OEM versions. You can't call them

with a problem, but instead have to get any needed support from your

OEM; that support may range anywhere between good and non-existent. Or

you can get support elsewhere, such as in these newsgroups.

It's that first disadvantage, a, that's the deal-breaker, as far as

I'm concerned. It makes it a very bad bargain.

The Retail Full version is the most flexible of the three choices, but

it's also the most expensive.

The third choice, the Retail Upgrade, however, is the one I normally

recommend. It usually costs only slightly more than an OEM version,

and comes without the OEM version's restrictions. Moreover, despite

what many people think, Upgrade versions *can* do clean installations

as long as you own a CD of a previous qualifying version to show it

when prompted. Most people have such CDs, but worst case, if you

don't, one can be bought used inexpensively someplace like eBay.

--

Ken Blake, Microsoft MVP - Windows Desktop Experience

Please Reply to the Newsgroup

June 6, 2008

Re: Buying a copy of Windows - I'm confused

On Fri, 6 Jun 2008 10:07:14 -0700 (PDT), MikeB <MPBrede@gmail.com>

wrote:

>I want to buy a layaway copy of Windows XP Pro. I don't need to

>install it right away, but I want to have one, just in case I get a

>new computer and XP isn't available at that time anymore.

>

>Obviously I want a legal copy.

>

>As far as I can see when searching, I can find the following types:

>

>Full version (about $114-128)

>OEM version ($90-110)

>Media only ($29)

>License + media ($135)

>

>So what's legal with what?

You can use the OEM version with the home-built computer which is what

I did. I bought from Zipzoomfly, but Newegg is good too. These

companies are legit.

>

>Since I sometimes build/upgrade my own computers, I believe I can

>legally install the OEM version on such a modified computer, right?

Yes.

>

>But what is the media-only option? What does that not have that makes

>it so cheap?

Media only is the disc minus the product key and no manual. You could

install this version on a (questionable) computer to see if it works,

then buy a license separately within the 30 days.

>

>And what makes the License+media option so expensive?

The product key (license) is what you are buying. Protect your

product key, it is tied to your unique computer.

>

>Thanks for any clarification.

June 7, 2008

Re: Buying a copy of Windows - I'm confused

Then again, what's legal anyway? Have these T&C ever been tested in court?

AFAICS they are purely one-sided stipulations made by Microsoft, there has

(to my knowledge) never been any validation of them by any legal authority.

The bottom line is that in most countries you DO need a license to use

software, but there is no certainty as to whether legal chicanery in T&C

(some of which may violate consumer rights) could actually be enforced. Some

of these conditions of use may actually be illegal in some countries.

As regards OEM copies being transferred, is there an accepted legal

definition of what makes a computer a 'different' one? I suspect not.

A topical subject as so many people are finding preinstalled Vista

unsatisfactory. Do they legally have to pay again for XP? MS say Yes, local

authorities I've asked say that downgrading software is legal, so who is

right?

If MS are right, that gives rise to a crazy situation. Create a mediocre

product, force computer buyers to pay for that product as part of their

purchase, and then insist that the buyer pays a second time for a product

that works. It actually becomes the case that the worse the product, the more

profitable it is. :-/

For that mattter, if Vista fails to perform satisfactorily, is it legal to

replace Vista Home with XP Corporate, being as XP Home would not activate,

thus the option of downgrading to the same variant of the product (an action

which AFAICS would be legal under our law) is prevented by the activation

feature? Good question.

--------------------------

"This is a wonderful computer. It''s 20yrs old and absolutely reliable.

And, in all that time it's only had four mobos, six processors, two cases,

seven OS's ...."

> On Fri, 6 Jun 2008 10:07:14 -0700 (PDT), MikeB <MPBrede@gmail.com>

> wrote:

>

> >I want to buy a layaway copy of Windows XP Pro. I don't need to

> >install it right away, but I want to have one, just in case I get a

> >new computer and XP isn't available at that time anymore.

> >

> >Obviously I want a legal copy.

> >

> >As far as I can see when searching, I can find the following types:

> >

> >Full version (about $114-128)

> >OEM version ($90-110)

> >Media only ($29)

> >License + media ($135)

> >

> >So what's legal with what?

>

June 7, 2008

Re: Buying a copy of Windows - I'm confused

Anteaus wrote:

>

> As regards OEM copies being transferred, is there an accepted legal

> definition of what makes a computer a 'different' one? I suspect not.

>

If nothing else, the "reasonable person" test would suffice.

I saw a hatchet advertised on Ebay. The claim was that this was the very

hatchet George Washington used to chop down the famous cherry tree.

In describing the hatchet, the owner did say that in almost 300 years, the

handle had been replaced eight times and the head three times, but other

than that, it was 100% original.

June 7, 2008

Re: Buying a copy of Windows - I'm confused

Exactly my point, like a hatchet a computer is of a modular design, intended

to allow any part to be replaced when it wears out.

MS I believe say that changing the mobo for one of a different type makes it

a different computer. Yet, I've seen two mobos sold under the same typenumber

that have radically different chipsets. Manufacturers do things like that!

So, even a like-for-like mobo replacement as a repair could land you in

violation of this.

Even more illogically, the COA sticker is on the case, not the mobo. So in

principle you could swap-out a damaged case and still be legal, but no longer

have a license sticker, and therefore have a hard job proving it! That makes

no sense at all.

Have hit the latter problem several times, notably with case doors

breaking, and once with a case which took a nonstandard PSU. The PSU failed,

and the only sensible option was to swap the hardware into a standard case.

"HeyBub" wrote:

> I saw a hatchet advertised on Ebay. The claim was that this was the very

> hatchet George Washington used to chop down the famous cherry tree.

>

> In describing the hatchet, the owner did say that in almost 300 years, the

> handle had been replaced eight times and the head three times, but other

> than that, it was 100% original.

June 8, 2008

Re: Buying a copy of Windows - I'm confused

=?Utf-8?B?QW50ZWF1cw==?= wrote:

>

> Then again, what's legal anyway? Have these T&C ever been tested in court?

As far as I know, MS wants to avoid a court ruling on such.

--

http://www.bootdisk.com/

June 8, 2008

Re: Buying a copy of Windows - I'm confused

Undesrstandably, as despite the calibre of their lawyers they might just lose

this one. Although, it may happen anyway:

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2008/02/19/eulas_unfair_investigation/

When EULAs were on paper, there was a limit to the smallness of print or the

amount of paper that could reasonably be included with the product. Thus,

though a major chore, it was actually possible to read the T&C/EULA.

Now with electronic distribution, EULAs can be anything up to several MB in

size, hundreds of pages if required. this makes it possible to hide

conditions that you don't want the buyer to see inside such a mass of

meaningless legal gobbledygook that it's physically impossible to spot the

part that matters. If you find that the unfair terms are still being spotted

by purchasers, you simply increase the EULA to 10,000 pages of 'padding.'

It's a kind of steganography, I guess.

"Plato" wrote:

> As far as I know, MS wants to avoid a court ruling on such.

June 8, 2008

Re: Buying a copy of Windows - I'm confused

MikeB wrote:

> I want to buy a layaway copy of Windows XP Pro. I don't need to

> install it right away, but I want to have one, just in case I get a

> new computer and XP isn't available at that time anymore.

>

> Obviously I want a legal copy.

>

> As far as I can see when searching, I can find the following types:

>

> Full version (about $114-128)

> OEM version ($90-110)

> Media only ($29)

> License + media ($135)

>

> So what's legal with what?

>

> Since I sometimes build/upgrade my own computers, I believe I can

> legally install the OEM version on such a modified computer, right?

>

> But what is the media-only option? What does that not have that makes

> it so cheap?

>

> And what makes the License+media option so expensive?

>

> Thanks for any clarification.

>

can I buy an x64 copy of xp

June 8, 2008

Re: Buying a copy of Windows - I'm confused

Michael wrote:

> MikeB wrote:

>> I want to buy a layaway copy of Windows XP Pro. I don't need to

>> install it right away, but I want to have one, just in case I get a

>> new computer and XP isn't available at that time anymore.

>>

>> Obviously I want a legal copy.

>>

>> As far as I can see when searching, I can find the following types:

>>

>> Full version (about $114-128)

>> OEM version ($90-110)

>> Media only ($29)

>> License + media ($135)

>>

>> So what's legal with what?

>>

>> Since I sometimes build/upgrade my own computers, I believe I can

>> legally install the OEM version on such a modified computer, right?

>>

>> But what is the media-only option? What does that not have that makes

>> it so cheap?

>>

>> And what makes the License+media option so expensive?

>>

>> Thanks for any clarification.

>>

> can I buy an x64 copy of xp

Yes, if you have the money and can find someone selling one. I see

them at Newegg.

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