OEM vs Regular version OS

Ok, my computer is on its last leg, but I want to format the hard-drive and reload everything from scratch. Well, I lost my Win XP during a move, so I don't have an OS anymore to install. I was looking to see how much they cost and my eyes popped out of my head. I noticed on Amazon that they have 'OEM for system builders' OS discs for about $100 less. Is there a difference between the two versions? I would think there isn't. I figured the OEM version is just the disc you get when you buy a prebuilt computer, but I wanted to make sure. I don't have the money to buy a new computer, so I have to live with this one for a while longer. Things are going downhill for my comp, unfortunately.

do you still have the sticker with the product key on it? If you do, and it was xp home, I can get you and send you a copy of the xp install disk. (I work for our local school and they recieved like 300 copies of xp, but instead of just giving them 300 cd keys and a few disks, they sent them 300 boxed cd's with the cd key sticker on each one of them! LOL, had to pull every sticker, it was a bad day. Anyway, those cd's are all just sitting there ready for use as long as you have your own cd key number.) Let me know through the pm.

And to answer Cham's question (in case he no longer has his XP key) then yes, the OEM version is what you get when you buy the system pre-loaded, so functionality is the same.

Only difference is with the OEM, you don't get the fancy packaging or the paper manual, just the cd.

I used a Compaq windows CD for installation on an imac (spent a little less than $100 on ebay). Worked like a charm!

Your allowed to install the OEM versions on 1 computer only. If you get another computer later you can't use the same key on your new system. The non OEM versions allow installation on 1 computer per license but if you uninstall it you can put it on another computer since the key is not tied to a single system.

In the long run its probably cheaper to get the non OEM version and buy upgrades (and put a linux on your old machines).

Continuum wrote:

In the long run its probably cheaper to get the non OEM version and buy upgrades (and put a linux on your old machines).

True, but unfortunately, I donate my old pcs to charitible organizations when I cannot sell them. I just remove the hard drive for security purposes. One of these days, I'll keep one of them just for playing with a Linux based OS.

No, I unfortunately don't have the CD key. I don't know why just that had to be lost. I keep all my 'system' software together so things like this won't happen, but as luck shall have it, it is gone. It really bugs me beyond recognition since I really don't have much money right now. I appreciate that offer Eme. I guess I will get that OEM one then. I don't need any of the 'extra' stuff. Thank you very very much for responding everyone!!

Hey,

if you haven't purchased this yet, there is another way. There is a free program called windows keyfinder that will check your registry and show you your winXP product key. I can get you an XP Pro disc and you can just use that key, assuming you were on XP pro. Gimme a buzz!

cheers.
t.

I have XP Home for this computer.