XP Pro OEM

[marlboro]

Ebuyer sell XP Pro OEM for less than £100.

Other than receiving no manual the OEM version, once installed and registered is apparently hardware limited.

Anyone know what these limitations are? Can you add new PCI devices??

[stevieb]

OEM software is not hardware limited, as far as i know, but you do have to buy hardware to be able to purchase OEM software with some companies.

OEM is basically what Microsoft sells computer manufaturers to install on there systems. You get no support from MS No Box and No MAnual Just get CD and CD key.

Steve

[marlboro]

Cheers Steve,

In that case E-buyers XP Pro OEM SP1a @ £90 is a great deal.

Regards
Brian

[alarmist]

sorry to but in , maybe got wrong end of stick...but i bought xp pro oem from eb a liverpool gentleman and it was listed hp-oem, came with basic books sp1 numbers etc and has never missed a beat. registered ok and only cost 79.

[Ultimasimon]

Then that is a good deal I buy a lot of OEM copies for my clients and pay around £87+vat for the copy - trade. As an OEM user, you get no support from Microturd. If you go to PC WOLD or similar they will charge you £245 for a 'normal' copy of XP Pro, and give you suuport.

My advice if you are a trade org, is to buy a copy (but from elsewhere) @ around £225rrp and register it to yourself, then you can get support for any problem you have. Microsoft has a lot of explaining to do as far as I am concerned re their outrageous pricing structure, and the monopoly with their software. If they charged a reasonable amount, ie £50 for their software, no one would pirate it, and everyone would be more appreciative. Bill Gates IS a greedy bastard.

[pdV6]

IIRC basically, OEM Windoze is only supposed to be sold with the PC. The PC manufacturer obviously gets a bulk discount on the software and also agrees to handle support in lieu of MS.

So, if you don't mind having no official support, its the way to go!

[d3ano]

Marlboro YHM.

[chrishillcoat]

You can get XP Pro on a "student" license (anybody in the family who's at school/uni or is a teacher? Then you can get it) for £50 from www.insight.com/uk - bargain

[wedg1e]

Marlboro, if you get stuck I know a man who can get you a :ahem: cheaper deal than that on the standard release of XP.... and of course I don't advocate software piracy. Oh no.



Ian

[rdhawkins]

We buy OEM XP at work but we have to purchase it with a qualifying piece of hardware to be completely legit.

Things like a CD ROM drive, hard disk etc. qualify you for an OEM license.