Win XP Pro - Retail or OEM?

[borgmang]

What's the difference between Retail and OEM? What would you guys get. Ready to buy for new system.

 

[elzmaddy]

Good question. I still do not know this.

 

[bozo1]

The only difference is the licensing. OEM is for sale with a new system only. (or purchased with hardware) It cannot be sold, installed on any other machine besides the one it was purchased with (or for), etc.

 

[NogginBoink]

Originally posted by: bozo1
The only difference is the licensing. OEM is for sale with a new system only. (or purchased with hardware) It cannot be sold, installed on any other machine besides the one it was purchased with (or for), etc.

Actually, OEM's are allowed to make changes, such as graphics/logo/branding and preinstalled software. Some do, some don't. But the core OS is the same.

 

[bozo1]

True, but in the case of purchasing an OEM copy from Newegg or the like, it'll be unmodified. The OEM's that are prone to changing things, Dell etc., won't sell it to you anyway without a new PC.

 

[dbwillis]

OEM doesnt come with the nice instruction manual on how to install and configure things.

 

[borgmang]

What about clean install and quick install option, and does it even matter.

 

[redbeard1]

I found a hidden omission, that most people wouldn't run into. Some oem XP disks don't have the repair console available. I was working on a customer's system and knew the boot.ini was hosed, and could not get the cd to run the repair. A bunch of research later I found out that it wasn't there, to save money for the oem's. I found a full version and fixed the problem.

 

[igiveup]

OEM versions also do not come with support from Microsoft. If you need help, they will refer you back to the OEM you purchased the hardware from. In this case, Newegg or somebody else will not offer you support because YOU are the OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer).

This is another of the reasons why they don't charge as much for it.

 

[sman789]

i bought a OEM pro with sp1 disc....if you ever need help tho you can ask public forums which i did....but i havent had any problems with the disc.

It comes with a thin instruction book with the disc in a paper holder wrapped in plastic

 

[borgmang]

Where's the best place to order a full version, besides Microsoft? I want all the bells and whistles.

 

[AtomicDude512]

OEM rocks, much cheaper and it has all the "bells and whistles". Except of course product manuals, which are a waste of time if you have this forum.

NewEgg has a OEM WindowsXP Pro with SP1 for about $140, try to get a retail price that will beat that!

 

[fredtam]

Originally posted by: borgmang
What about clean install and quick install option, and does it even matter.

If I am wrong someone please correct me but this is my understanding of Clean vs. Quick.

A clean install is starting from scratch. It allows you to designate your file system, configure options and create partitions. All previous data will be erased.

A quick install is basically an upgrade and is overlayed on your existing OS. This means you are stuck with fat32( if thats what you have) and cannot change to NTSF which does not allow for some of the security features. You cannot add any partitions and some customizable options are locked. It does allow you to keep your files.

The OEM version does not allow for the quick install option which would only be useful if you were doing a full install on a new system and an upgrade on another or simply an upgrade on one computer in which case you would buy the cheaper upgrade rather than the full retail version that allows both.

As far as all the bells and whistles the only things missing are the manual (everything you need is on the MS site) and tech support (Anandtech OS). If you do not need the option to upgrade it would definately not be wise to pay for the full retail version.

 

[mastertech01]

I believe the primary difference is that you get 2 free support phone calls with the retail version... OEM you are on you OWN.

 

[Massonite]

I have the OEM version of XP and I had to reinstall it once because I changed the computer it was on. I called the Microsoft Activation number and they told me that as long as I wiped it out completely from the other machine it was OK to use it on my new one. So they gave me a big long activation code and I was all set.

But it's identical to the retail version minus the support and manuals, but who needs manuals anyway? lol And we are your support!

 

[igiveup]

What about clean install and quick install option, and does it even matter.

I have never heard of a quick install option. The only ways to install for the average user (without getting into RIS, Sysprep or any of the other corporate type installs) are a clean install in which you boot off of the CD and wipe everything out and install over it, or an upgrade in which you put your CD in the drive while running under your old OS and it will walk you through the process.

Thinking about it, what you might be confusing is the two types of format options that you can choose when you install your OS. There is a quick format which simply rewrites some of the MFT infromation and then starts the install, and there is the normal which completely formats the drive and then proceeds to load the OS. The quick format is faster, especially as the size of your hard drive that you have to format increases. The more disk you have, the longer it takes.

A quick install is basically an upgrade and is overlayed on your existing OS. This means you are stuck with fat32( if thats what you have) and cannot change to NTSF which does not allow for some of the security features. You cannot add any partitions and some customizable options are locked. It does allow you to keep your files.

Not entirely true. You can always convert a drive using the convert command. Something like this

convert c: /fs:ntfs

from a command prompt.

The OEM version does not allow for the quick install option which would only be useful if you were doing a full install on a new system and an upgrade on another or simply an upgrade on one computer in which case you would buy the cheaper upgrade rather than the full retail version that allows both.

I wonder about that. Try running the WINNT32 in the D:\i386 folder (replace D with your drive letter of course) from your currently installed OS. I haven't ever tried it, but I would bet that you would get the standard upgrade screen.

 

[l3ored]

go on kazaa and search for windows xp pro, wham bam thank you maam, about an hour later you have some weird version and/or a virus, cant beat the price/performance on that.

 

[borgmang]

I would rather take the tax right off and be on the up and up for software. It seems that the OEM should be fine. By the way, is the upgrade version any better than the OEM version. I have Windows 98SE and ME that I could use for upgrade, but would I have to install or could I just enter the serial number?

 

[fredtam]

No; stick with OEM.

 

[borgmang]

Okay OEM it is, Thanks....

 

[digitalman]

Usually, i would say pick it based on you. Save the cash with OEM - or - Save a few headaches with Retail. If you don't mind solving your own problems and will never call for support.... WHY PAY FOR IT?!? Here is a catch though, you aren't supposed to just be able to buy an OEM version of windows with out hardware. Although the definition of hardware can often be vague and a mouse or LAN ccard will often be enough to get through that loophole.

Personally i agree with fredtam.... just get an oem version and save the cash for the next item on the wish list.