OS question...Retail or OEM?

[A-TECH]

I'm going to build my own gaming system, and I hear that Windows XP Home is the best to use. So, with a new system, should I get Retail, or OEM? What's the difference? I believe retail comes with more accessories, or support, but I'm not sure....and I'm not a computer wiz. What should I get, and why, and how much is the thing?

Thanks.

[MakeYourslf2012]

OEM is the OS without the fancy packaging. Its just the CD and the instruction booklet. thats the only difference and you save a nice chunk of change. Its probably best to go with the OEM.

XP Pro, Home, ect. is really up to you
I beleive that XP Pro OEM goes for around $90 at newegg.com

[blue60007]

XP Home OEM is $93 on Newegg
XP Home Retial is $200 on Newegg - you do the math.

XP Home should be sufficient unless you need some of the extra features of Pro (mainly networking things).

[A-TECH]

Originally Posted by blue60007 XP Home OEM is $93 on Newegg XP Home Retial is $200 on Newegg - you do the math. XP Home should be sufficient unless you need some of the extra features of Pro (mainly networking things).

Of course, but is OEM any more trouble to install?

[A-TECH]

Also, it's referred to as an "upgrade".......will this work for a clean install?

[Rebel_526]

There is a difference between OEM and Upgrade. Upgrade will make you verify that you have a previous version of Windows, OEM will not. As Blue said, your not getting the fancy package and saving the money.

[A-TECH]

Can I use this on a clean install?

http://www.newegg.com/product/produc...82E16837102059

[JonDee]

Yes, You should be able to use that as a clean install.

[Cricket]

With the retail version of Windows you get tech support from Microsoft (I think for one year).

With the OEM version of Windows you are your own tech support.

Cricket

[USMDude]

Originally Posted by Cricket With the retail version of Windows you get tech support from Microsoft (I think for one year). With the OEM version of Windows you are your own tech support. Cricket

But of course, if you're getting OEM you probably know enough about computers to anyway. Hence why you came to the forums in the first place. Good boy!

[barch 88]

OEM won't have the fancy packaging and booklet and support. ZOMG!.....


who cares, you save a ton.

OEM is way to go.

[Eriol]

Also with the OEM its for one machine only, your not allowed to uninstall and install it on another

[blue60007]

Originally Posted by Eriol Also with the OEM its for one machine only, your not allowed to uninstall and install it on another

The liscensing is the same (as far as I know) for both Retail and OEM.

[FireByyrd]

He got a point there. they SAY OEM is a one time install, but thats quite decieving on Microsoft's end. If something goes wrong with your computer... you just reinstall and if it says you need to reactivate the installation. You can connect to the internet and it will check to see if your parts match up to your old installation, if it does, it'll let you bypass. But for whatever reason it doesn't... just give Microsoft a call of their toll free number of reactivation, I ran into the problem because I needed to reinstall .. but I had a OEM. So basically OEM can do multiple installations on the SAME computer.

[Eriol]

I didnt think it was

http://techrepublic.com.com/5208-624...ssageID=604464

[glc]

Technically, you can't move OEM between computers - and you can't transfer license to someone else. You CAN transfer a retail licence ONCE.

[USMDude]

Originally Posted by glc Technically, you can't move OEM between computers - and you can't transfer license to someone else. You CAN transfer a retail licence ONCE.

I didn't know that about the retail license: very useful to know.

[Eriol]

But the OEM is still worth it unless your planning on building more than one machine.

[glc]

That's not what I meant - I meant transfer the license to another person. If you have more than one machine, you need one license per machine.

[FireByyrd]

Isn't it illegal to install XP on multiple computers...?

But someone told me that that your allowed to have XP on a desktop AND a laptop... is that true glc?

[barch 88]

So with my OEM version of XP I cannot use it between MY build and MY new build?

[Cricket]

Originally Posted by barch 88 So with my OEM version of XP I cannot use it between MY build and MY new build?

Nope. Each computer needs it's own copy of Windows.

Cricket

[Eriol]

correct, if you use it on one machine your not allowed to unistall it and use it on another. But with the retail you can

[barch 88]

Meh. Alright, thanks for the heads up guys. I would hate building it all and buying everything then come to find out it windows won't install on it...

[glc]

Originally Posted by FireByyrd But someone told me that that your allowed to have XP on a desktop AND a laptop... is that true glc?

Nope - you are thinking of Office XP - not Windows XP.