Windows XP Pro Purchase

[y2kman]

Anyone know where I can purchase Windoze XP Pro at a discount?

Thanks
Dave

[EzyStvy]

www.newegg.com

[RayH]

What you want is an OEM edition of Windows XP. I don't know how much New Egg demands of hardware co-purchase, but you can also try these guys:

http://www.softwareandstuff.com/baspecial.html

Some OEM vendors, especially if the price is too low, aren't legit. Some of the unscrupolous will sell you a Dell OEM version that's worth nothing to someone who doesn't have a Dell.

[y2kman]

Isn't the OEM version very restricting?
What are the restrictions?

Thanks again
Dave

[kram 2.0]

There are two restrictions - one, that you follow the EULA when you install it, and second, that you purchase it along with "hardware". Hardware is almost anything - a molex connector, a Radeon X800 XT PE graphics card, anything really. Besides that, it's the same as the retail version, except without the box.

kram

[y2kman]

Excellent! Thanks. One more thing. My computer is already built with XP Pro on it. We are looking for XP but of course won't want to reinstall the software since it's aleady on there but with a 30 day expiration.

I am hoping that when I buy my copy I can use my key and not have to reinstall the software.

Then of course next time around just install mine.

Thanks again
Dave

[glc]

Why don't you just activate what's on there now?

[sdkfz]

GLC is right, most XP installs have a 30 day window to activate the software copy before it stops working. You can do this over the internet or by phone if the pc does not have internet access. See link below for more information

If you buy a new copy and install it (which you said you do not want to do) you will still have another 30 day activation window and will be out the money for the second copy. We are assuming here that of course this is a legal install and you have the CD and the product key for your copy. The product key is the 25 letter and number code. On an OEM copy it will be on a small label and should be stuck on the PC somewhere, a retail copy has it on the CD package itself. In either case DO NOT LOSE IT!

If on the other hand the PC was installed with some one else's copy of XP and they did not give you the CD and the product key then you do need your own license/copy/product key or it will stop working after 30 days as this is an illegal install.

Activation is not the same thing as registering, activation is required and does not send any personal data over the internet, consider it as the final step of the install. Lots of software now requires activation as an anti piracy measure. Registering is when you give them your name/address etc and is optional.

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/e...ctivation.mspx