Re: What is the difference between the OEM & the Microsoft version of Win XP Pro ???


"Ken Blake, MVP" <kblake@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:4k9n64tpljeuo240n18i1sdq6ptmif8s1a@xxxxxxxxxx
On Tue, 1 Jul 2008 22:03:13 -0400, "Bubey" <catlov@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
wrote:

I bought my laptop with XP sp2 Media Edition installed by the mfg.
When I had a problem I tried to correct it with SFC and was asked
to put in my Win disk which I did.


Exactly what "Win disk" is this? Where did you get it? If it's a
retail version, it's not the same as the OEM version Dell provides.
It was the one Dell sent with the laptop, but since they won't take the
documentation I sent them regarding the system tools saying it has Win XP
Pro as the OS, I figured I will have to buy my own Win XP Pro so I can fix
my problems with the laptop. I figured it would be best just to back up my
files, and reformat the hard drive and start clean. That's what I used to
do when I was on Win98, do you concur?

Thanks !


Then I got an error back saying
it was the wrong disk. I went to check my version and the System
Information page says I have "MS Win XP Pro 5.1.2600 Service
Pack 2 Build 2600 by Microsoft Corporation". I have called the
mfg and they said that's not what was installed on what they sent.
I also sent them a print out of what the system says, but they still
say that's not what I have per their records. Won't be buying
from Dell again.

Can it be possible that the system would give me the incorrect
information?

So if I can't prove my point I will have to buy a new copy of Win XP.
What is the difference between an OEM version and Microsoft's
version, besides price ?


Although if you get a complete generic OEM version, it contains the
same software, it has the following disadvantages as compared with the
retail version:

1. Its license ties it permanently to the first computer it's
installed on. It can never legally be moved to another computer, sold,
or given away (except with the original computer).

2. It can only do a clean installation, not an upgrade.

3. Microsoft provides no support for OEM versions. You can't call them
with a problem, but instead have to get any needed support from your
OEM; that support may range anywhere between good and non-existent. Or
you can get support elsewhere, such as in these newsgroups.

Over and above those differences/disadvantages, when you have an OEM
version supplied by one of the major OEMs like Dell, rather than a
generic OEM version, there are also other modifications to the
software. Some components may be added or deleted.

--
Ken Blake, Microsoft MVP - Windows Desktop Experience
Please Reply to the Newsgroup

.

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