Question:
Can anyone tell me where I can get a brand new LEGAL version of XP as cheap as possible?
Also what is the difference between Home and Pro? I'm not too hot on computers so nothing to technical please!
Thanks very much.
Answers:
Pro adds extra features, and is designed to work better on networks. It's aimed at businesses more than home users, and is more expensive so you'd be better off with pro.
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Home Vs Pro:
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Pro adds extra features, and is designed to work better on networks. It's aimed at businesses more than home users, and is more expensive so you'd be better off with pro.
I'm only a home user so I assume that would be better and cheaper.
Can anyone tell me where to get a cheap version?
I'm wary of ebay as I just think they are all moody versions!
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I'm wary of ebay as I just think they are all moody versions!
A lot of them are, but search for OEM and you will find may legal copies for cheaper than elsewhere - just check they are not branded by a PC manufacturer (eg. HP), that the seller has good feedback, and that the seller explicity says "This is a legal copy" (or similar, but not talking around the fact like some do) and you will get a better deal than anywhere else.
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do a search on here (or google) for OEM copies of xp - the threads that come up will explain about OEM software and it is cheaper - it's probably the cheapest way to get hold of a windows OS legally.
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if you are going to look on ebay make sure you get your magnifying glass out - i saw an ad the other day for a copy of xp pro for £6 (granted that's ridiculous and obviously properly dodgy) but in a very light grey using the smallest font possible the guy had written something like:
these are backup cd's only and are to be used with a paid key
so in other words, copies that don't come with a key i mailed him a question about them - hasn't got back to me yet....
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Get a dell xp pro disk for about £30 on ebay. Easy and legal.
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Get a dell xp pro disk for about £30 on ebay. Easy and legal.
Problem is Dell discs only work on Dell machines...or so I'm led to believe
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Problem is Dell discs only work on Dell machines...or so I'm led to believe
Some do, some don't from what I understand. I'd just go for an unbranded OEM.
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Wooooaaahhhhh - you cannot legally install an OEM version of XP, whether from Ebay or wherever, unless it was bought from a PC manufacturer with the right to sell XP.
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Ebuyer sell XP home here:
This is legit though I think you have to buy some hardware with it to comply with the oem rules. Usually the cheapest mouse they sell for about £1.99 though I see they have bundled it with an 84p power lead in one of the bundles on the right menu so maybe that will suffice.
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I would be wary of eBay too, not only because of dodgy copies etc, but because the price is often similar to what you'd have paid for the same goods new from an online shop. For example see . Cheapest online price I've seen is £58.81.
That page says:
Microsoft OEM Operating system software MUST be purchased with a non-peripheral hardware component or fully assembled computer system. Non-peripheral hardware consists of a motherboard, graphics card, memory module, hard disk, keyboard or mouse. Full retail boxed products must be ordered if no hardware/PC system is to accompany the sale.
So just buy a cheap mouse at the same time .
Edit: Northtim - great minds think alike!
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Get a dell xp pro disk for about £30 on ebay. Easy and legal.
its not legal. you need the COA
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the cheapest and most legal way of doing it (from what i've found and i buy them for my company) is to go to microdirect () and buy an oem version (Pro is about £80 home a lot cheaper and proabably what you need) they'll send you a mouse free (they have to send you hardware to make it legal)
job done. you'll have the COA and you'll be able to activate it. Be very wary of ebay sellers.
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My brother recently bought a PC in an auction. Apparently for "data protection reasons" it had had its hard drive removed, along with the operating system of course. It also did not come supplied with any documentation or media.
The case does however have a windows XP sticker on it - presumably a OEM version.
Can we install Windows XP on this from my own XP CD and then register it with Microsoft using the code on the sticker attached to the PC?
I guess it would be a change of ownership, but I wouldn't have thought that using my own disk to do the installation would matter as all the CDs are the same - it's effectively the code corresponding to the licence that you pay for , and the code appears to have come supplied with the PC.
Any thoughts?
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My brother recently bought a PC in an auction. Apparently for "data protection reasons" it had had its hard drive removed, along with the operating system of course. It also did not come supplied with any documentation or media.
The case does however have a windows XP sticker on it - presumably a OEM version.
Can we install Windows XP on this from my own XP CD and then register it with Microsoft using the code on the sticker attached to the PC?
I guess it would be a change of ownership, but I wouldn't have thought that using my own disk to do the installation would matter as all the CDs are the same - it's effectively the code corresponding to the licence that you pay for , and the code appears to have come supplied with the PC.
Any thoughts?
No its not legal to do this....OEM licenses are not transferrable.....I think theyre not even transferrable from one PC you own to another PC you own.
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if you go to most small computer shops they will sell you a version OEM for around the 45 to 50 quid mark. i guess by a legal version you mean one that is original with the product key as like others have said, an OEM version should only be sold with a PC and te sticker should be on the PC that corresponds to that OEM .
i got an OEM version for 50 quid after using 'back up' versions for 3 years, it gutted me at the time but i am now glad i got it as most updates use the new microsoft legit software checker and it was becoming a pain in the bum waiting for some smart guy to get around it.
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I must admit all this is quite conflicting and confusing!
I just want a legal copy thats cheap, that I can do all the updates with and will last forever with all certificates and whatever else.
What does OEM stand for?
Does it overwrite my existing O/S?
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What does OEM stand for?
Does it overwrite my existing O/S?
OEM = original equipment manufacturer.
It is the same product but without a fancy box, manuals or support.
Any OS you install will overwrite your current OS (unless you dual-boot but that involves quite a bit of technical knowledge).