Re: Format hard drive on new machine, want XP only

Talahasee wrote:

> On Mon, 30 Jan 2006 15:26:59 -0700, "Ken Blake, MVP"
> <kblake@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
>
>> Talahasee wrote:
>>
>>> On Mon, 30 Jan 2006 11:29:32 -0800, "C. Olds" <C.
>>> Olds@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
>>>
>>>> My mom just purchased a new eMachine from Best Buy. BB tried to get
>>>> her to purchase a setup package for $225, telling her that they
>>>> would remove unwanted installed software and set up security
>>>> features. They told her that only their technicians could do these
>>>> things. I understand that they imbed a lot of junk software on the
>>>> machines they sell. I am not an expert, but have set up several new
>>>> machines. Is it possible to format the hard drive and install only
>>>> Windows XP Home Edition from the included recovery cd without
>>>> installing the rest of the stuff that is on there. If so, is there
>>>> a good resource that I could use to walk me through it? Thanks for
>>>> your help!
>>>
>>>
>>> If you have say $75, you'd be better off to hop on Ebay and
>>> get a copy of XP Home,
>>
>>
>> I think owning an installation CD is a good thing to do, but I
>> wouldn't buy one on eBay--especially if the price were very low. The
>> chances of getting a pirated copy that you won't be able to activate
>> is very high.
>
> Not true. Ebay has very high standards for what they sell.
> And if it's pirated, you merely need to report that to Ebay
> and they prosecute.
>
> Nice idea you had there, but not "real world."
>
> And I got my copy for $55, and it's REGISTERED. I can
> download all the s/w I want.



Glad to hear that you had no problems, but consider yourself lucky.
Regardless of eBay's standards, many people have had trouble with buying
illegitimate copies of XP there.

And by, the way, the issue is whether it can be *activated*, not
"REGISTERED."

>
> I gave my son a copy of my disk, (same last name), and he
> has since REGISTERED HIS copy, and has done MULTIPLE
> downloads from Windows, with the verified "real" key, etc.,
> just like mine.
>
> At least, if you're going to rip me a new ***, try to be
> honest and realistic.
>
> I am beginning to think, that you have merely developed a
> hardon for me.
>
> Back off!


Start providing accurate information, and I'll stop correcting your errors.


>>> or better yet XP Pro.
>>
>>
>> Why "better yet"?
>
> Because it's a superior system IMHO.


No, it's not. It's *identical* to XP Home except for having additional
features. If those features are useful to you, then it's worth spending the
extra money for. Those features are useful to most people who use Windows XP
in a corporate environment, but are rarely worth anything to those who use
it at home.



> Aren't we all in here giving our own personal opinions?


I don't know what you're doing, but most of us are here providing accurate
information, not opinions. If you want to present opinion, make it clear
that it's an opinion, not information.


> Or are you saying that-- henceforth-- this is now a
> moderated group, and all opinions must pass YOUR muster
> first?
>
> PLEASE!
>
>
> You know nothing about C. Olds's needs. What makes you
>> think that XP Professional is any better for her than XP Home.
>
> zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
> zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
>
> Are you typing one-handed yet?
>
>> XP Professional and XP Home are exactly the same in all respects,
>> except that Professional has a few features (mostly related to
>> networking and security) missing from Home. For most (but not all)
>> home users, even those with a home network, these features aren't
>> needed, would never be used, and buying Professional instead of Home
>> is a waste of money.
>
> You forgot to add, in your opinion.


The statement above is a matter of simple fact, not of opinion. Your
statement that XP Professional is somehow better for everyone than XP Home
is, on the other hand, a matter of opinion.


> And Cadillacs and Chevy Corvairs are both cars. What's the
> big deal?
>
>
> Any time I am buying software, if it's a mere $20 or $30
> difference, I'll go with Platinum as opposed to Silver.



That's fine. But what you do with your money is not what's at issue here.
What's at issue is the recommendations that you make to others. You
recommended XP Professional over Home without knowing anything about the
original poster's needs and without the slightest substantiation that it
would be better for him. That's plain and smnple poor advice, and needed to
be corrected.

Please note that I did not say that Home was a better choice for the
original poster than Professional. I also know nothing about his needs and
am unable to know what's best for him. What I did is point out is that for
*most* people running XP in a Home environment, XP Home is sufficent and the
extra features of Professional would go unused.

--
Ken Blake - Microsoft MVP Windows: Shell/User
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