copies of xp

[nooblark]

well, i myself am buulding 2 comps, but i know alot of people who need new ones and wouldn't mind me doing it.. so can i get 1 cd for windows to work on all the comps, or do i need to pay extra for licence for more then one copy..

side note: is it more/less expensive to make your own comp compared to retailer (same components)?

[Kov-Ice]

Windows XP is strictly licensed on a one CD per computer basis. It requires you to authenticate each installation through the internet. You can find XP Home at www.newegg.com for around $90.

Browse or search the forums for the many threads on the pros and cons fo building your own comp. You'll find endless references to which is better. However, since most retailers won't use the same quality components an educated builder might choose, it's hard to compare.

HTH,

[EzyStvy]

side note: is it more/less expensive to make your own comp compared to retailer (same components)?


Catch 22. Most people that know alot about pc's build their own so they won't buy from you. People that don't know anything about computers will want you to beat Dell's 400 dollar 2.66 pc WITH 17" monitor AND Warranty.

Then there's the fun part. I sold a new build to a guy I've known for ten years that I mainly ran into at happy hour etc. Now he calls EVERYDAY with questions .......The thought of having six or seven people call EVERYDAY is mind bending....

[Confused]

Originally posted by nooblark side note: is it more/less expensive to make your own comp compared to retailer (same components)?

If your are truly going to use same parts;

More if it is a retailer like Dell. With their volume purchasing they will beat you in price.

If talking about the store down the street you can probably be him. Both of you will be paying about the same for parts (using Newegg for example) and you will save his markup price.

Problem with comparing with Dell and other big box sellers is you won't be able to get the exact same parts. Plus with them you will probably get a recovery CD for the OS rather than your own copy of XP.
Chas

[crjdriver]

You will need at least a license for each computer. What I do when I do a build for someone is to use my custom win2k or xp cd with all of the apps I generally install like speedfan, Irfanview, system wiper, etc. It makes the install go much quicker in that I have everything on one disk. I then give the original [purchased] copy of the os still in its wrapping to the owner. If I am feeling real nice I make him a custom bootable cd with the sp slipstreamed with all drivers for that build. If he [or I] have to reinstall, all of the drivers are there; no looking on the net or through cds for them.

You are allowed to make a copy of the cd for backup or archival purposes. What you may not do is use the same disk or license for all of your builds.

[Miz]

EzyStvy makes a very good point and it is something you should consider very carefully before getting into building systems for other people.

A case in point: A friend of mine used to sell computers. He didn't build them, he ordered them for customers, added a $250 charge for setting them up and providing one year of tech support.

THREE YEARS after one of his customers, who had also been a good friend for 15 years. had purchased a computer from him, the modem went bad. My friend was no longer in the tech support business so he referred the guy to me. I did the troubleshooting, told the guy he needed to buy a new modem and if he needed help installing it, to call me.

The guy went ballistic. He expected my friend to not only install a new modem for free but to provide it for free as well. He called my friend up and reamed him out for "not supporting the equipment you sell."

This is not an ususual occurance so be forewarned...it can get a lot worse.

[nooblark]

well i was looking under microsofts site and it said the xp copy was its usualy high price, but the copies of licences were like 120$ usd.. so would it be better for me to just buy a load of xp cds from newegg rather then licences?

[bigandy]

Yes. If it's $30 less for an OEM version of XP than a liscence from MS, then definitely buy the OS discs from Newegg. Plus this way everyone gets an actual OS disc with their. That way if they need to do a repair installation, or reinstall the OS, they have the disc right there.

[nooblark]

k, i think im done here.. thnks guys