xp home

[shazam]

First time build. I have decided on all parts but am confused about XP Home OEM verses retail.Is it allright to buy OEM.I understand that you do not get much paper work with OEM and also no support but there is plenty of support here. Also can you update if you buy OEM, $93 verses $189 is a big saveings. I hope I am in the right section for this ?.

[juppy]

Yeah, it's fine to buy OEM and I think most of the people around here do, because you're right, that is a big savings. Plus, if you are one of those people who feels the need to actually read the manual on how something works, you could always use part of the $96 you saved to go buy a book about the OS. As for the customer support, you can always come here for straightforward answers. And actually, I find most of the people around here tend to give better answers about most things than any support line does anyway.

[mairving]

The major difference is price and the wrapping that the software comes in. OEM is intended to be sold with hardware so it is usually just a CD. The retail version comes in a nice box that you throw away anyway. No support but it can be upgraded.

[melloman]

Before you go shell out for XP home edition, see if Pro is going to be more of your style. Many things regarding networking and administration on the machine are better in Pro.

[shazam]

melloman I am giong to use this comp. for photo editing. I am going to try to but 50 years of photos on cd s and give them to my children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. After i sort the out. If i live long enough.thanks for the input.

[HAL9000]

The manual you get in a retail version is a joke anyway, hardly worth the extra cost. The major difference is you can phone for support where with the OEM, you phone the vendor for support.

[reboot]

And if you're smart, you won't phone anyone, you'll just come here, and get all the free support one could ever ask for.

[sdkfz]

One thing, when you get the OEM version, MAKE ABSOLUTLEY SURE that you do not toss the plastic wrap around the cd, your install key is on that wrap.

I'd suggest you get a cd jewel case and tape the sticker to the inside, you lose that key and you are totally lost. The sticker says to put it on the pc case, but what happens when the case gets upgraded?

Personally I have a small storage unit (tupperware type) that holds all the software and licenses safe. This way all OS, Office etc stuff is in one place.

Also, OEM versions of XP you can not do an upgrade install, the option is not even there, the logic being that this is a new build so why even give the option. Don't matter though, even if you are upgrading a fresh install is always best.

I am looking at getting the microtek 5900 scanner for the same purpose, have you another one that you have decided on

[shazam]

sdkfz I plan on getting full version xp home. Thanks for the tip on saveing the product key. Never gave that a thought.Wrote that in my note book so as not to forget.Feb first is date to start buying parts.I will be getting a better scanner if I am sucsesfull at building this.Will keep you posted.And yes this is a very friendly site with prity smart people on board, thanks.
Bud Culberson N.C.

[sdkfz]

If I understand correctly you are going for the home edition retail, not OEM, that version has a cardboard case for the CD and the key is on that (inside the retail box), if I misunderstood and you are getting the OEM version, then yeah be careful, a friend had to scrounge through a dumpster to find 'his' garbage after ripping the platci and the key off and tossing it.

[shazam]

sorry full version xp home oem.And as mentioned i will be extra carfull.I am going to look at the snanner you mentioned. I have a 9 year old acer flat bed.Its as old as my comp. Thats why I would like to build a new one.

[juppy]

Originally posted by sdkfz One thing, when you get the OEM version, MAKE ABSOLUTLEY SURE that you do not toss the plastic wrap around the cd, your install key is on that wrap.

That's for sure. When I installed XP I didn't know anything about this product key stuff. I ripped the plastic off of it and the only thing that kept me from ripping the product key in half was the fact it was made out of that rubbery-plastic sticker stuff and it wouldn't tear. I didn't throw it away though because I was piling all of the "trash" in one of the big boxes the parts came in, so when I needed to put the product key # in, I just had to dig it back out of the bottom of the box.