Windows editions?

I was looking @ tiger direct and the OEM editions are always cheaper, why?

5/24/2007 11:55:04 AM

because they are meant to be bundled w/a new system. Vendors cheat by including them with any piece of computer hardware, or sometimes w/nothing at all.

5/24/2007 11:55:56 AM

Original Equipment Manufacturer

many OEM programs will work fine for your particular needs...you just won't get a full packaging box and manual and everything...perhaps just the CD

5/24/2007 12:10:38 PM

^ and in addition, you usually dont get tech support

5/24/2007 12:20:30 PM

you get exactly the same tech support

5/24/2007 12:36:51 PM

you can't borrow someones non-oem cd and use your cd-key to activate it if its a oem key. right?

5/24/2007 12:47:22 PM

Quote :

"you get exactly the same tech support"

not for the oem student select microsoft software that we sold at the bookstore

the adobe student oem stuff doesnt get tech support either

5/24/2007 1:05:09 PM

^^Not in my experience. You can't use an OEM key with a retail CD.

[Edited on May 24, 2007 at 1:49 PM. Reason : -]

5/24/2007 1:46:46 PM

thats what i just said lol

5/24/2007 2:04:03 PM

hmm so if the cd is lost or damaged i couldn't just download a disk image and use my legit cd key?

is that illegal anyway ?

5/24/2007 2:10:05 PM

ok. I took the

Quote :

"right?"

as an attempt at getting some sort of confirmation.

5/24/2007 2:10:31 PM

downloading an image and using your key or restricting you from using your key on a non-oem disc?

^it was...but your post sounded like you misunderstood me and were disagreeing

[Edited on May 24, 2007 at 2:11 PM. Reason : fda]

5/24/2007 2:11:05 PM

Quote :

"downloading an image and using your key"

this one

5/24/2007 2:39:15 PM

If the key came with a computer purchased from an OEM like Dell, Toshiba, IBM, HP, etc.... then you need to get the install media from them. Call or email them and bitch and bitch and bitch and they'll send it.

If its a retail copy of xp, you can order replacement media from microsoft for like $15+shipping. Or, even though its a little shady, you could download an image from the interweb.

Basicly you need to find a CD that was built for your key. Figure out what type of media you have and see if a friend has a copy you can borrow.


As to why OEM copies are so much cheaper than retail, its because of the liscence. OEM copies are liscenced to run on one set of hardware. You build a computer, put OEM xp on it, that copy of XP can never leave that machine. Retail copies of xp can be resold to someone else and can move from computer to computer to computer as many times as you want. In both cases only one copy of xp can be activated at a time.

5/24/2007 3:26:55 PM

^or you can download the Windows XP 9-in-1 CD from any torrent of choice.

I use it religiously as my laptop has a XP Pro Corporate license, 2nd laptop has an XP Home OEM license, and my desktop has an XP Pro retail license on it. It makes it super easy to reformat now, as I only need one disc and my legitimate licenses.

the 9-in-1 has XP Home OEM, Corp, Retail; Pro OEM, Corp, Retail; MCE 2005 OEM and Retail; and Tablet PC OEM.

5/24/2007 5:30:07 PM