OEM VS FULL XP

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Guest

I will be getting another computer shortly, (w/ NO O.S.)
and want to install XP PRO. I have many questions.

1)What to buy?...I see OEM, full oem, full retail. What
is the pro and cons for using or buying each? Which is
better?

2)Is a "full oem" version the same software as a full
retail?

3)Can I put XP on my new comp and then again on a third
one that I plan to buy a month later?

4)What is all the hype about registering. Can I install
and use the full software without registering w/Microsoft?

5)Can you still do live update without registering?

6)If I'm not allowed to use it on more than one computer,
that's fine, but how will they know? I ask this not so
much to use one copy for a million computers but in
curiosity on HOW Microsoft would KNOW...are they allowed
or have ways where they look into your computer (snoop)
and "verify" things??

7)If I buy a copy from EBAY or somewhere, what happens if
they lied about it not being registered. A friend told me
that it wouldn't matter as long as I just use it without
registering it. Is that true. How can I know if I have a
legal copy without necessarily letting Microsoft know
which copy I have?

8)If I want to also install Office pro 2003 do I need to
buy 3 copies for 3 home computers? That would be $1500
and seems a bit much (to put it nicely) for one poor soul
to put it on all his personal computers.
 
OEM software is the same as retail EXECPT it can only be
installed on the original computer that it came with and
if you sell the pc the software goes with it or if the
computer breaks then you cannot use the software
either.....retail media can be transfered to a new pc if
removed from the first prior to the move and can be
transfered once to a new owner... and for all windows
programs can only be installed on one computer at a time
 
In
I will be getting another computer shortly, (w/ NO O.S.)
and want to install XP PRO. I have many questions.

1)What to buy?...I see OEM, full oem, full retail. What
is the pro and cons for using or buying each? Which is
better?
Click to expand...


The OEM version has the following disadvantages:

1. 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.

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

3. Microsoft provides no support for OEM versions. You have to
get any needed support from your OEM, and that may range anywhere
between good and non-existent.


2)Is a "full oem" version the same software as a full
retail?

Yes.


3)Can I put XP on my new comp and then again on a third
one that I plan to buy a month later?
Click to expand...


No. The rule is quite clear. It's one copy (or one license) for
each computer.

There's nothing new here. This is exactly the same rule that's
been in effect on every version of Windows starting with Windows
3.1. The only thing new with XP is that there's now an
enforcement mechanism.


4)What is all the hype about registering. Can I install
and use the full software without registering w/Microsoft?
Click to expand...


Yes. Registration is completely optional.

However you must activate it within 30 days. If you don't, it
will stop working except in safe mode.

5)Can you still do live update without registering?

Yes.


6)If I'm not allowed to use it on more than one computer,
that's fine, but how will they know? I ask this not so
much to use one copy for a million computers but in
curiosity on HOW Microsoft would KNOW...are they allowed
or have ways where they look into your computer (snoop)
and "verify" things??
Click to expand...


Read up on how Windows Product Activation works at
http://www.aumha.org/win5/a/wpa.htm

7)If I buy a copy from EBAY or somewhere, what happens if
they lied about it not being registered.
Click to expand...


Activated, not registered.

A friend told me
that it wouldn't matter as long as I just use it without
registering it.
Click to expand...


Your friend is wrong.

Is that true. How can I know if I have a
legal copy without necessarily letting Microsoft know
which copy I have?
Click to expand...


If you buy from eBay, you're at risk.

8)If I want to also install Office pro 2003 do I need to
buy 3 copies for 3 home computers?
Click to expand...


The license for Office permits you to install it on one Desktp
*and* one laptop.
 
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