Archived from groups: microsoft.public.windowsxp.basics (
More info?)
The times I have purchased a system with an OEM disk was in a traditional
computer store as opposed to a Best Buy type store. In those cases I have
had them deduct the cost from the price and then I have gone across the
street to Best Buy and bought a retail XP. I did not save much on the
deduction, but I just prefer retail xp's. The store I buy hardware from
does not carry the retail packages.
"Ken Blake" <kblake@this.is.an.invalid.domain> wrote in message
news:uD9Uq%23LrEHA.736@tk2msftngp13.phx.gbl...
> In news:%232Ox8sLrEHA.3396@tk2msftngp13.phx.gbl,
> Colin Barnhorst <colinbarharst@msn.com> typed:
>
>>I agree with Ken. The ability to do a repair install is by itself
>> worth the price of the OS.
>
>
> Thanks, Colin.
>
>
>> However, I go one further and refuse to use any OEM disks. Even in
>> the cases where a new system came with the system installed, I have
>> purchased a new copy of XP Upgrade and installed fresh (using an old
>> Win98 cd when requested for a copy of a previous version of windows).
>
>
> Like you, I would prefer a retail version, but I wouldn't turn down a
> generic one (not a customized one) if it came with a system available at
> an attractive-enough price. If I wanted to install cleanly as soon as I
> got a system, I'd do it with the OEM version if that's what I had.
>
>
>> I have gotten essential phone help from Microsoft on enough occasions
>> to warrant, in my mind, the extra expense of buying a copy of the OS.
>
>
> Personally I've never called Microsoft for help, and always found that
> help available in places like this one was at least as good. But the
> ability to get support from Microsoft *is* one of the advantages of a
> retail version.
>
>
>> Also, an OEM copy is not transferable to another computer and I have
>> gone through several new computers (nowadays I put my own together)
>> and have continued to get MS support when I get myself into trouble.
>
>
> If I understand you correctly, if you bought a system that came with a
> generic OEM copy, you'd immediately also buy a retail copy. But why not
> wait to buy the retail copy until you *need* to transfer it to another
> computer (especially since that need may never occur)?
>
> It doesn't always work this way, but more often than not, I tend to buy a
> system when a new version of Windows comes out, and keep it until the next
> version. So transferability hasn't been an important issue for me. I've
> had this system--1.4MHz Athlon, 512MB, 80GB HD--since Windows XP was
> released and I hope to keep it for another two years, or until Longhorn is
> released.
>
>
>
>> Yes it is extra expense, but I am really pleased with the time and
>> aggravation I have saved myself. This is just how I feel and I don't
>> expect others to do things the same way.
>
>
> Understood, and I'm not trying to persuade you otherwise. I'm just stating
> a slightly opposing view. I think we are very close to agreeing, just not
> completely.
>
> --
> Ken Blake - Microsoft MVP Windows: Shell/User
> Please reply to the newsgroup
>
>
>> "Ken Blake" <kblake@this.is.an.invalid.domain> wrote in message
>> news:eDgmdjKrEHA.2724@TK2MSFTNGP14.phx.gbl...
>>> In news:1c0901c4ac35$2189f530$a601280a@phx.gbl,
>>> minnie <anonymous@discussions.microsoft.com> typed:
>>>
>>>> when i brought my computer brand new was i suppose to
>>>> recieve the windows xp disk as well. Everyone else seems
>>>> to get them when they buy there computers
>>>
>>>
>>> OEM vendors are required by their agreement with Microsoft to give
>>> you a means of reinstalling, should it be necessary. They can do
>>> this in one of three ways:
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> 1. An OEM copy of Windows
>>>
>>> 2. A restore CD
>>>
>>> 3. A hidden partition on your drive, with restore information.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> If you don't have 1 or 2, you should have 3, but you should contact
>>> your vendor or check your docementation to find out.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Personally, I find both 2 and 3 unacceptable, and would never choose
>>> to buy a computer that came with an operating system unless I got a
>>> complete generic installation CD for that operating system.
>>>
>>>
>>> --
>>> Ken Blake - Microsoft MVP Windows: Shell/User
>>> Please reply to the newsgroup
>
>