Do I buy the full XP software or Upgrade?

beachbeth

I have been given a computer from a friend who no longer wants it. Its nothing special but will be ideal for my daughter in her bedroom. Thing is, it has come with Windows XP Professional but a copied version, which of course is illegal. I would like to buy the proper, legal Windows XP Home for it instead but do I need to buy the full package or can I buy an upgrade?

krishna

You can only buy an upgrade if you already have a legal license for another microsoft product that qualifies for upgrading to XP Home. This would, for example be an earlier version of Windows. Since you do not have an XP Pro license you would need to buy the full product.

However, you would then need to remove XP Pro and install XP Home to be fully legal.

Before doing anything, though, you might just want to check if the PC came with an OEM version of XP Home, which is quite likely. Check the service tag/serial number and then give the manufacturer a call to say you need to reinstall the OS and don't have the CD. Inthis case you would either get it free, or you would have to pay a small fee for the CD+admin.

beachbeth

Thanks Krishna. This is what I thought would be the case. I don't think it came with an operating system though. Im pretty sure the previous owner built the computer himself.

BillScarab

You'll be better off formatting it and doing a full install anyway rather than an upgrade. It will get rid of any crud that's on there and give your daughter a nice clean system to start with.

theboylard

Hi,

don't bother with the upgrade, but make sure you buy from a legitimate source (ie NOT ebay!!).
Secondly, do NOT buy Vista, the new version of Windows. Although no price difference, it's hardware requirements will no doubt stretch your pc to the limits. XP is perfectly acceptable.

Typically you'll pay somewhere in the region of £50 to £60 plus the dreaded.
Here's a link I prepared earlier:
http://www.aria.co.uk/ProductsList.asp?Category=45&SubCat=SOF-OS

You'll see you have some choices.
As it's a home pc, don't worry about the extra for XP Pro, you have no real need for it.
If your pc has enough oomph, maybe try Media Centre? It's not bad really!!

One caveat is that OEM software has to be bought with certain hardware, which is why it's cheaper [1] and if you've just got this pc, it may be worth upgrading a couple of bits to make your DD life a bit easier.
Adding memory nearly always makes sense, maybe upgrading the hard disk (as it's a new Windows install it would make perfect sense) and possibly upgrading the graphics if she wants to play Sims or such like?

Just make sure you buy from a legit source if you want legit software.

[1] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Original_equipment_manufacturer and scroll to the bottom.
With Windows oem software, there is no difference to the full retail product except you don't get the 90 days support from Microsoft, which is a bonus in my book!!!

Any further help, sing out.

hapless

beachbeth

theboylard wrote:

One caveat is that OEM software has to be bought with certain hardware, which is why it's cheaper [1] and if you've just got this pc, it may be worth upgrading a couple of bits to make your DD life a bit easier.
Adding memory nearly always makes sense, maybe upgrading the hard disk (as it's a new Windows install it would make perfect sense) and possibly upgrading the graphics if she wants to play Sims or such like?

I wish I knew how to do this. I was going to avoid the OEM software because Im not sure I would know how to fit the hardware. It will be easier to just buy the full Xp software, even though it will cost more.

beachbeth

Ive just had a good look at the Aria website you linked and it says you just have to buy a mouse or something to make it legal. I thought OEM's always came with hard drives or something that had to be fitted!!! This makes it so much cheaper to buy and I don't need to be a technical wizkid!

superscaper

beachbeth wrote:

I wish I knew how to do this. I was going to avoid the OEM software because Im not sure I would know how to fit the hardware. It will be easier to just buy the full Xp software, even though it will cost more.

You have to buy hardware, nobody says you have to fit anything. When I bought xp years ago I bought it with a case fan (couple pounds) which isn't even in my current pc.

Phantom_Flan_Flinger

As above, pretty much any bit of (cheap) hardware will let you get XP OEM from most websites.

theboylard

Question - can you wire a plug?
If so you are over qualified to build a pc or upgrade one!!!!
If you promise me that you'll buy something, I'm sure we'll help you fit it!!!

Regarding the software, I'll let you into a secret - it's exactly the same set-up process whether it's OEM or the full retail pack!!!
There is no difference except you don't get a cereal box or a book that is 90% licence agreement in multiple languages in the oem pack.
You get from both: a windows cd, a genuine windows hologram sticker/licence, a quick install guide that even my dog can read (he'd eat it really but hey!) and that is all you need.

We're here to help, moneysaving is the game so why pay more than double for the same product from the same company?!
On the other hand, not all OEM software is the same as the full product, so caveat emptor.

hapless

theboylard

The rules regarding oem software vary, depending on who you speak to!!!
Microsoft would like you to believe that it is a hard drive, motherboard or processor that are qualifying purchases, whereas the rules are:
"any non-peripheral piece of hardware".

Which basically means as long as it fits inside the pc, rather than attaches to it, then you're good to go! And from your comment beachbeth, it looks like Aria will sell their own grandmother if they are saying you can just buy a mouse!!!

However, some sites may say you have to buy the core hardware items as above, but there is no actual licence requirement to do so anymore.

hapless