Full Version and OEM Version

16 years ago

I'm planning on buying another copy of XP (I can still get it in my area) but recently found out there is a difference regarding what you get and I'm a bit confused.

I read that a "full version" allows you to use it on one machine and should that machine break, you can get a new machine and install that copy.

OEM apparently does not allow you to do that and you'd wind up having to buy another copy (or upgrade to Vista).

So how does one tell which version you're getting in a package you buy from a store? I've read the entire box but darned if I can figure it out.

Anyone else heard of this and how do you tell which is which?

Thanks

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Comments (2)

mes444
16 years ago
As far as I know, if you buy it in a store as a stand alone version, its the full version. Are you sure you can put it on a second machine tho, my understanding has been that if you alter the original computer, you can keep using the same copy, but on a whole new machine it wouldn't work. At least that is what I have understood.

The OEM is a version only available to the manufacturers like Dell, or HP, and they put it on the computer and you don't get the hard copy version.

So buying it in a store should be the full version, but do check how you can reuse it with Microsoft to be sure.
owbist
16 years ago
You can indeed buy an OEM version and save a few bucks. My three XP versions are all OEM, I had to buy some hardware each time though. (Earlier it had been serious hardware like a hard drive, video card and the like but later I bought XP with a cheap mouse and another time a fan to qualify) OEM comes in an envelope, no box to throw away. There is no difference in the retail or OEM program, just the rules are different.

Buying OEM means you have no support from Microsoft, all updates and patches are available to you of course. All needed support is supposed to be provided by the seller of the software

I had a problem with activation that MS was not willing to allow till I phoned and spoke with a help desk lady. It involved a computer I had built but which refused to run smoothly. Over time I swapped an MSI and Asus motherboard 3 times, the third time was too much for MS as they thought I was using this on multiple computers. After my call I was activated but have refused to change much on that machine since LOL, plus I have it working right now anyway.
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Full Version and OEM Version

Comments (2)

mes444

owbist

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