Archived from groups: microsoft.public.windowsxp.basics (
More info?)
On Wed, 13 Jul 2005 22:55:01 -0700, "Skiph"
<Skiph@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote:
>I have a brand spanking new lap top. And I have noticed over the last few
>years that when I buy a computer I am getting less and less in the way of
>CDs.
>
>Now I got a card with a blue circle on it saying there is no driver disk or
>OS disk. And tells me how I can restore my system to new condition.
>
>Liked it the old way better when we got a full OS disk with a new system.
>
>My question is, I have XP Pro, I want an OS disk. Can I buy an upgrade or do
>I have to shell out for the full OS disk? From a reputable source I see it
>for 250 USD. That's a bit steep just for pieces parts to update/fix problems
>or to reinstall.
>
>Any assistance appreciated.
>
You can purchase and use the "Retail Upgrade" CD IF:
1) You have a current installation of Windows 98/98SE/ME/NT
4.1+/Windows 2000/WindowsXP Home/Pro on your HD when you install XP.
This is the way to go if you do not have the OS installation CD for a
previous version of Windows.
2) You possess the OS installation CD from a previous version of
Windows. This OS install CD MUST be a FULL RETAIL CD,or so-called
"FULL OEM" CD. This is the best situation, and you will pay at least
$100 less than the "FULL RETAIL" version of the XP install CD. The
"Retail Upgrade" CD can do either a clean install, which will entail
the destruction of all programs and data on your HD, and will wind up
with the most stable installation of XP, or an upgrade, which will
keep your current file system intact, but may be unstable.
Current XP "Full Retail" prices:
From Microsoft
XP Pro -- $299 XP Home -- $199. The COAs for these products will be
printed directly on the distribution packaging, while the Product Key
will be printed on a piece of orange paper, and stuck to the back of
the product sleeve.
From third-party distributors
XP Pro -- $250 and up XP Home -- $125 and up
The COA and Product Keys for these packages will be the same as the
packages from Microsoft, since the distribution packages are
manufactured by Microsoft.
Current XP "Full OEM" prices:
Around $125
This package contains all the code as a "Full Retail", but will not be
able to perform an "Upgrade" install and will necessitate the
destruction of all programs and data on your HD(although some "Full
OEM" packages will allow you to perform a "Repair Install", which will
keep your file system structure mostly intact.) "Full OEM" packages
contain the COA and Product key printed on specially-printed stickers
containing Microsoft holograms.
These stickers are almost always found attached to the shrink-wrap of
the package containing the CD and introduction booklet. Be very
careful when disposing of this shrink wrap, since most distributors of
"Full OEM" software seldom record the CD keys distributed with each
package they sell, and you will have to purchase a completely new
license for XP if the COA is lost.
Microsoft has recently changed its policy concerning Internet
Activation of some OEM software: They now no longer allow automatic
Activation of the newly-installed software via the Internet. For the
affected copies of OEM software, an activation via telephone is
required. While Microsoft has not announced this change for ALL OEM
copies of XP, they MAY change their activation policy at any time for
ALL OEM copies of XP.
I personally advise people to purchase the XP "Retail Upgrade"
installation media, since they will save at least $100 on their
purchase, and they will always be guaranteed an Internet Activation of
their software, and they can be assured that they have genuine
Microsoft software, which will be fully supported by Microsoft.
Although, if you really need to save money, purchase the "Full OEM"
distribution package. But make sure it is not a "Pull" (a
manufacturer's OEM which was originally produced for distribution with
a new computer, but never used. The COAs of packages like these will
contain a string on the COA containing the name of the manufacturer
the CD was manufactured for. If the distributor of these packages is
on Microsoft's list of manufacturers of computers for which Microsoft
has disallowed Internet Activations, you will be at the mercy of
Microsoft for activation of your software.
I also advise EVERYONE to NOT purchase XP software via auction
services such as eBay. XP software sold on eBay is notorious for
being pirated. Purchasing pirated software will only ensure no
updates from Microsoft. While it MAY save you a few bucks, it will
almost always result in eventually having to purchase a legitimate
license for XP at your own expense, and will make you a law-breaker if
you use it.
Donald L McDaniel
Please reply to the original thread.
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