How should I buy XP Pro?

No offense, but this question is only for those who do NOT think it is
just fine to have XP _without_ the media an operating system normally
comes on.

If I have to I'll start from scratch.

Exactly how would a "full" copy of XP Pro SP2 best be purchased? Does
it come on _several_ CD's?

Is there any way to know it will be compatible with update/upgraded XP
systems or is each one deliberately made to force you into a new
purchase?

How much should this "full" XP Pro SP2 (SP3 by now?) actually cost? I
see all sorts of prices on eBay and they often have some characteristic
that makes them undesirable - like being merely a second license without
any CD's or being restricted to student use.

Is it even possible to make a safe purchase of XP Pro SP2 on eBay?

By that I refer to future compatibility of versions, ownership
identifications (COA's?), etc., etc., etc. (In attempting to ensure
continued usability of my present system I've been going in circles {One
place on MSN even asks if there's a wavy edge on the CD printing!},
which I suspect is corporate America at it again.)

I just want to have a solid system that will stick with me a while and
not make me jump through hoops to keep track of it. What should I have
asked, but didn't know enough to ask?

Thank you very much!

Jim L
--
"Feel inadequate? Destroy stuff and kill people." Confucious, Socrates, Benjamin Franklin.
.

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