2 part question about XP

[CrazyIrishman]

I need to get an OS for a new build and I had planned on using WinXP Pro since I'm familiar with it, then install Vista Ultimate at a later date for a dual boot OS.

First question: What is the difference between WinXP Pro OEM & Retail? I understand that OEM can ONLY be used on one PC. Does that mean that RETAIL can be used more than one time?

I need to do two clean installs: one in the new machine and one in the older machine to help correct some issues (hopefully). If either version does one installation of the OS and I have a problem with it, would Microsoft re-authorize the code/key?

Second, after formatting a new HDD, should I make a partition BEFORE loading WinXP Pro, or should I make the partition after loading is complete?


Thanks,

CI

[ktkendall]

Either version of XP is legal for installation on one PC. The difference between retail version and OEM is price and you get no support with OEM version. I would just wait to create my second partition till I got windows loaded, and partition and format the other partition using windows disk management.

[CrazyIrishman]

I wasn't going to make the second partition until the first OS was loaded. Do I partition the HDD before I load the first OS.

The main reason behind doing the partition has to do with keeping the OS separate in case it has to be repaired or re-installed. That way I hope to prevent losing other info on the drive.


Thx,
CI

[ktkendall]

Windows Installation program will create it's partition, so when it gets to that part make sure you tell it how much to use or else it will default to the whole disk.

[CrazyIrishman]

So all I have to do is format the HDD and then start installing WinXP Pro, right?

[juppy]

Originally Posted by CrazyIrishman I understand that OEM can ONLY be used on one PC. Does that mean that RETAIL can be used more than one time?

Yes, but not at the SAME time. Each copy of XP can only be installed on one computer at any given time. The difference is this.....say you have the OEM verison installed on a computer and eventually that computer crashes and just totally goes to hell in a handbasket, to the point you need another new machine. That same OEM version CANNOT be used on the new machine, because OEM's are "tied" to the original machine they were installed on. Now, if that first machine just had something like a hard drive that crashed and you needed to just fix that, then Microsoft would most likely let you reinstall the OEM version on that machine because, for the most part, it would still be the same computer.
The retail version, on the other hand, could be installed on that first machine, and in the event that it totally crashes as mentioned before, and you have to get a totally new machine, then the retail version of XP COULD be installed again on the new machine. Generally, the retail version costs about twice as much as the OEM version, and that's partly why.

Originally Posted by CrazyIrishman So all I have to do is format the HDD and then start installing WinXP Pro, right?

Just go into your BIOS and set the CD drive to be the first drive in your boot order. Save and exit the BIOS and have your XP cd in that cd drive when it reboots. It should give you the option of booting from the cd. Take that option and just follow the on screen instructions for formatting and installing a fresh install. The XP cd should step you through it.

[glc]

If you want to play around, you can run XP for 30 days after install without activating it. You just won't be able to get updates. If you don't activate it, you can install it as many times as you want on as many machines as you want.

[ktkendall]

Just boot from CDROM and let Windows Installation Program do it's thing, like I said earlier just be sure to tye in the size of the partition you want Widows to be on, or else it will default to the entire disk. It will create it's own partition and format it, so that it can install the windows OS.