XP Pro - getting confused!!

HappyJanner

Want to get an official copy of xp pro as the one I inherited isn`t genuine.

Taken on board all the advice I`ve received from you lovely people and looking on e bay for one. However, I`m getting lost with all the abbreviations.

Can somebody explain in real simple terms the following:

OEM
COA
Product Key

Do i need all 3?

As always, all help and direction will be appreciated.

superscaper

OEM original equipment manufacturer. Means it's meant to be sold with systems as opposed to a retail version. So you get the cd but no box and once installed you're not meant to ever transfer it to another computer. So OEM versions you're essentially getting the same software but it's a lot cheaper than retail versions because of the licensing restrictions (and those cardboard boxes are expensive ).

CDA, not sure unless you mean COA which is really the same as the product key which is just the serial number you enter to install XP.

C_Ronaldo

HappyJanner wrote: »

Want to get an official copy of xp pro as the one I inherited isn`t genuine.

Taken on board all the advice I`ve received from you lovely people and looking on e bay for one. However, I`m getting lost with all the abbreviations.

Can somebody explain in real simple terms the following:

OEM
CDA
Product Key

Do i need all 3?


As always, all help and direction will be appreciated.

product key is the key you enter when you install it

CDA im not sure what this is

OEM ive heard this mentioned before but cant think what it is

you need a product key though, oem you dont need unless your buying a system with the software included

techexpert

COA - Certificate Of [SIZE=-1]Authenticity, Tells you if the product is genuine or not
[/SIZE]

Tallymanjohn

The important bit is the COA - a product key on its own does not signify that it's genuine (you would already have a product key if you have XP installed). A lot of COAs are from scrapped or updated PCs, so don't be surprised if you have to rely on phone activation the first time, unless they've been uninstalled for a few months. The OEM bit isn't too important as long as you don't intend to change computers, or major bits of hardware, in the near future.

superscaper

Tallymanjohn wrote: »

The important bit is the COA - a product key on its own does not signify that it's genuine (you would already have a product key if you have XP installed).

I agree, under the assumption it is legal the product key is the same as the COA as that is where it is found.