Stupid question

[Humbugger]

Well, I am using windows on a new system, and needed to know what version is cheapest, and will do the trick.

AT best buy, their 100 dollar versions were just upgrade packs, and they told me that the 200 dollar versions were what was needed for a barebones system.

Newegg has a 90 dollar version, but I am not sure if this is the upgrade, or ACTUALLY windows xp home. I just want the actual installation cd, not the upgrade from a previous version of windows.

Link:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16832116056

Thank you, very appreciated

[doctorgonzo]

Yes, the OEM is the real thing, not an upgrade.

With the OEM version, you just get the CD, no pretty box or manual or anything like that. You also don't get support from M$. This is why it is cheaper than the $200 version in Best Buy.

[AnotherMuggle]

Even an upgrade CD will do a fresh installation...provided you have a CD of a previous OS that you can put into the drive during the install process.

Having said that, an OEM version is certainly the best way to go, unless you REALLY need the manuals and Microsoft support.

[Humbugger]

well

my computer has had problems installing windows and I wanted to get a new one.

After dos setup it wont load the next portion of setup

[AnotherMuggle]

Do you own a legal copy of Windows...including a valid Licence Key?

If you have the Licence Key then you are perfectly within your rights to use someone elses Windows CD to do the installation.

[Humbugger]

i have a windows professional cd key
so if somebody has a legal windows pro cd, i can use that key?

my friend down the street has 3 actual pro cds

[AnotherMuggle]

If that Windows Professional CD Key is licenced to you (you paid for it and it's not being used on another PC anywhere or by anyone)...then yes...you can use his CD with your Key.

That's 100% legal.

[Humbugger]

ok... but in the meantime

how come mine isnt working?

I have done installation about 7 times now. I have tried loading the drivers from my mobo cd already. Everytime it says "Setup has finished this step, setup will now restart your computer in 15 seconds" It than restarts, over and over. I tried booting from hard drive and cd again, and I either get boot disc error or it goes back to setup

[AnotherMuggle]

Please post your full system specs.

[Humbugger]

this is all brand new equipment straight from newegg

Gigabye Intel Socket T Mobo, Windows XP / Vista Capable
http://www.newegg.com/product/produc...82E16813128323
Intel Core 2 duo PRocessor, 1.86 ghz
Kingston 1gb (512mb X 2) ram ddr2
Sapphire VGA 256 mb gddr3 Nvidia vid card
Seagate baracuda 320gb hard drive
sony dvd-rom
samsung floppy drive
thermaltake armor series atx tower

[AnotherMuggle]

What PSU do you have in there?

[Humbugger]

coolmax 500w psu
http://www.newegg.com/product/produc...82E16817159054

[AnotherMuggle]

I don't know for sure but that may or may not be the culprit. It is amongst the bad PSUs in this thread: http://forum.pcmech.com/showthread.php?t=131195
but I'm not speaking from experience.

[Humbugger]

the power supply seems to be working just fine.

I am inside the windows recovery console
I checked the A drive, C drive, and D drive

A drive has an unrecoverable error

C drive has more than one unrecoverable errors

D drive is working normally

A- floppy
c- hard drive
d- dvd-rom

I am formatting my hard drive. I am going to try to remove ALL Data from the hard drive (the only things on there are the windows installation files)

Once EVERYTHING is clear, I am going to try redoing installation, while loading the drivers in the process with a burned floppy with all data from the mobo driver cd

BUt I have already tried this...

I have no idea whats going on