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OEM Windows?

post #1 of 6
8/9/06 at 4:08am
Thread Starter 
Hey guys,

I've been using Windows 2000 for years now and have finally decided to switch to XP.

My problem is, I don't really know what OEM software is. Should I be embarrased? :P I tried looking around, but I want to be absolutely positive it's alright to just buy the OEM and save half the price of the retail version.

Is OEM XP Pro just the same as Retail XP Pro without a nice box and manuals?

Thanks for any help!
Jonny
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post #2 of 6
8/9/06 at 4:14am
I think it is!

OEM: Original Equipment Manufacturer

It should be the same than retail, but without the box and manuals as you said.

I'm using the CD that came with my lappy and it is OEM and I haven't noticed any difference from my not OEM WinXP Pro CD.
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post #3 of 6
8/9/06 at 4:53am
just note that if you ever reinstall XP, the key you get with the OEM version will only work if you install from an OEM CD, and will not work if you put a retail CD in to install from, and vice versa. at least that's been my experience.
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post #4 of 6
8/9/06 at 1:36pm
From what I've read, if you change out hardware (hard drive, etc) and have to reinstall, you may have issues with the key, but a simple (yet annoying) call to Microsoft will be all that is required to fix that. I guess once the key is registered, they lock that cd key and not allow you to install again, saying that key is already in use. Either way, OEM seems definitely the way to go, and I'm actually thinking of picking up a copy for myself.
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post #5 of 6
8/9/06 at 2:08pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by g0dfr3y
From what I've read, if you change out hardware (hard drive, etc) and have to reinstall, you may have issues with the key
I changed my HDD and had no issues
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post #6 of 6
8/9/06 at 3:46pm
yeah, my old desktop (xp home oem came with system), i added in more ram, another hdd, a firewire card, a card with extra usb ports, and a second cd burner all at different times, and it didn't have any problems. then i reformatted because it was having issues (i think virus problems), but then the install got corrupted and then it wouldnt boot... not a problem with the key, but something else, then i fried its power supply.
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