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Windows XP Professional: OEM vs. Retail

post #1 of 11
1/31/07 at 3:50pm
Thread Starter 
I'm planning to build a new computer for myself, and I plan to buy a copy of Windows XP Professional. The thing is, I see two versions available for purchase: OEM and Retail. The OEM version is almost half the price of the retail version. It's labeled "for system builders only." Am I considered a system builder? Is it absolutely, positively 100% kosher to buy the OEM version if I only plan to use it on the new computer I'm building?
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post #2 of 11
1/31/07 at 5:16pm

Re: Windows XP Professional: OEM vs. Retail

Some places will only sell you OEM Windows if you buy computer components at the same time. I don't think you have to be a professional builder.

They may not even sell it to you if you don't buy components from them.
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post #3 of 11
1/31/07 at 5:55pm
Thread Starter 

Re: Windows XP Professional: OEM vs. Retail

Quote:
Originally Posted by Steve_Pannell
Some places will only sell you OEM Windows if you buy computer components at the same time. I don't think you have to be a professional builder.

They may not even sell it to you if you don't buy components from them.
Well, Newegg and Amazon sell it, and I'm pretty sure they won't check to see if I bought anything else.
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post #4 of 11
1/31/07 at 6:21pm

Re: Windows XP Professional: OEM vs. Retail

I don't see any harm in trying. I would.

I saw a site a few days ago (don't remember where) and they said that if you ordered Windows OEM without ordering new components your order would be automatically cancelled.
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post #5 of 11
1/31/07 at 10:07pm

Re: Windows XP Professional: OEM vs. Retail

Quote:
I saw a site a few days ago (don't remember where) and they said that if you ordered Windows OEM without ordering new components your order would be automatically cancelled.
this is pretty much the standard for windows oem licenses. gotta buy something else with it.

CJ
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post #6 of 11
2/1/07 at 6:04am

Re: Windows XP Professional: OEM vs. Retail

I got my OEM copy from Newegg. I bought it along with a CPU and motherboard but I believe that if you have at least a cable of some kind (SATA, USB, etc.) included in the order then it should be fine. If you're building a PC then most places that sell parts will likely have OEM software as well.
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post #7 of 11
2/1/07 at 2:43pm

Re: Windows XP Professional: OEM vs. Retail

Quote:
Is it absolutely, positively 100% kosher to buy the OEM version if I only plan to use it on the new computer I'm building?
Yes, but remember that the OEM license is not transferrable in the future. (Also, there's no support, but when was the last time you contacted Microsoft for support?) So let's say two years from now you build a new box, you can't use this license, even if you wipe the old box and give it away. The license goes with the box.

Things get murky if you, for example, keep the case and upgrade everything, including the CPU. Is that a "new computer"? What about everything except the CPU? Of course, those are edge cases; most of the time the intent is clear.
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post #8 of 11
2/1/07 at 2:46pm
Thread Starter 

Re: Windows XP Professional: OEM vs. Retail

Hmm. I plan to stay away from Vista for as long as I can, so I may get the retail version. I'd rather not step into murky waters.
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post #9 of 11
2/13/07 at 8:57am

Re: Windows XP Professional: OEM vs. Retail

If you can get the OEM version, go for it. MS has relaxed the sale of remaining OEM versions of XP due to the release of Vista. Therefore, the only new OEM Windows machines being built by "reputable" shops will have OEM Vista installed going forward.

One thing to note, however, is that the licence for an OEM product is tied to the original PC on which it was installed. Meaning that you can't legally move it to another, even if you've wiped out the HD on the original PC. With the full version, you are able to 'move' the installation from one machine to another.
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post #10 of 11
2/13/07 at 10:04am
Thread Starter 

Re: Windows XP Professional: OEM vs. Retail

Quote:
Originally Posted by Mark Starratt
If you can get the OEM version, go for it. MS has relaxed the sale of remaining OEM versions of XP due to the release of Vista. Therefore, the only new OEM Windows machines being built by "reputable" shops will have OEM Vista installed going forward.

One thing to note, however, is that the licence for an OEM product is tied to the original PC on which it was installed. Meaning that you can't legally move it to another, even if you've wiped out the HD on the original PC. With the full version, you are able to 'move' the installation from one machine to another.
You're too late, Mark. I installed everything last Thursday. What you said in the second paragraph (and what others have said) made me go for the retail version, and I'm using it as I speak. Thanks for the reply, though!
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post #11 of 11
2/14/07 at 2:24pm

Re: Windows XP Professional: OEM vs. Retail

When I need an OEM version of windows, i buy it with a $1 (or less) digital audio cable that connects the CD drive to a soundcard.

You can move an OEM license to another box as long as at the time of the transfer at least one of the major components is still present (HDD, CPU, MB). Just do upgrades one step at a time. Not a big deal. The only difference between the OEM and retail version of windows is the box it comes in.
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