Question about an OEM version of Windows XP

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Guest

Hi all

If i purchase an OEM version of XP for my computer I understand it will have
all the normal functionality of a full retail version My main concern is the
access i will have to updating to service pack 2 etc and in the future other
add ons i may want from the microsoft site. This OEM version i am buying has
not been activated. Am i right in assuming buying an OEM version will still
give me access to regular updates from microsoft but will just not give me
technical support should i need it?

Thanks for your help guys!
 
Hi

One of the main differences between OEM and retail versions of XP is that
Microsoft will not support the OEM version and you will need to contact your
supplier. Also with an OEM version, it will perform a 'clean' install of
XP, thereby deleting all your files, settings and programs. You will be
able to access Windows Update, yes.
 
Yes, no support from MS but normal use of WinUpdate for patches, hotfixes
and the like..

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In
Andy24 said:
Hi all

If i purchase an OEM version of XP for my computer I understand it
will have all the normal functionality of a full retail version My
main concern is the access i will have to updating to service pack 2
etc and in the future other add ons i may want from the microsoft
site. This OEM version i am buying has not been activated. Am i
right in assuming buying an OEM version will still give me access to
regular updates from microsoft but will just not give me technical
support should i need it?

Thanks for your help guys!
Click to expand...

Click on the links below, or copy and paste the links into the address box
if using the web based newsgroup.
OEM
#17 on the FAQ list
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/xpfaq.html
--
Michael Stevens MS-MVP XP
(e-mail address removed)
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com
For a better newsgroup experience. Setup a newsreader.
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/outlookexpressnewreader.htm
 
Hi Andy,
Am i right in assuming buying an OEM version will still give me access to
regular updates from microsoft but will just not give me technical support
should i need it?
Click to expand...

Yes, this is correct.

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP

Associate Expert - WindowsXP Expert Zone

Windows help - www.rickrogers.org
 
In
Andy24 said:
If i purchase an OEM version of XP for my computer I understand
it
will have all the normal functionality of a full retail version
My
main concern is the access i will have to updating to service
pack 2
etc and in the future other add ons i may want from the
microsoft
site. This OEM version i am buying has not been activated. Am
i
right in assuming buying an OEM version will still give me
access to
regular updates from microsoft but will just not give me
technical
support should i need it?
Click to expand...


Yes, that's correct. 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:


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 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.



In my view, number 1, above, is the most serious of those
disadvantages.
 
Microsoft won't support it even if you're willing to pay for a support
incident?


Hi Andy,
Am i right in assuming buying an OEM version will still give me access to
regular updates from microsoft but will just not give me technical support
should i need it?
Click to expand...

Yes, this is correct.

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP

Associate Expert - WindowsXP Expert Zone

Windows help - www.rickrogers.org
 
Sure they will, but there are no free incidents as there is with retail.
Also, problems like broken or scratched disks are handled by the OEM vendor
(and quite often there is no support at all in this vein).

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP

Associate Expert - WindowsXP Expert Zone

Windows help - www.rickrogers.org
 
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