For those seeking a legit copy of XP Pro...

... Buy.com has it for $158.99/Free Shipping.

http://www.buy.com/prod/microsoft-w...-pack-2c-license-and/q/loc/105/205631290.html

I know that's still pretty expensive; but the last time I looked into the retail version it was averaging $185 + Shipping, so...

Well, there it is, for good or evil.

mnem
Microsoft Windoze - the SECOND-BEST marketed virus program in the world...

 

lol. I love it when people say that.

 

if that's a full version, good price.

 

In checking the link, it's OEM, not retail. That could be had at newegg for $139.99, with SP3.
Linky.

 

oh if that's the case, i can get oem xp pro for 150 @ a brick and mortar store. sometimes they give atx cases or harddrives with a copy also.

 

Finally Mnem.. hah.....hah.... You made me laugh.

And who are those people, invader of toughbook?


ohlip

 

So what's the FIRST-BEST marketed virus program?

 

huh? retail antivirus? free av? or either?

 

How does the OEM version differ from te retail version ?

 

The Dragon seems to have coat tails as they say in Washington.
Still chuckling over the vision of the little crabs watching the sky fall on them.

 

Norton AV!

 

I agree whole heartedly.
The first thing I do on any computer is uninstall Norton's and anything else from Symantec's.
Pure bloatware..

Bob

 

The retail version can be installed on any computer, whereas the OEM one is linked to a specific hardware.

 

Not entirely accurate... Usually this is the case... Retail comes with the whole shebang... Manual, fold-out case, etc.... The OEM, depending on where you buy it, comes with just the manual and CD. In the old days the seller used to have to mail you a piece of a PC to be in line with MS' requirements. Nowadays you just buy it from Newegg for $134 and be done with it. I used to buy them in packs of three... Now I just...

 

Wow, I never knew this hardware purchase requirement had been lifted. I'd still been buying OEM packages with ram because of it.

Thanks!

 

Well... To tell the truth... This is what I have been doing to get around having to buy the whole shootin' match... I have a few guys that get them from extinct Toughbooks. Why throw it all away when the parts are worth bucks?

eBay sells Win XP Pro COAs... I usually buy them at around $20 - $25 each. As long as the COA is on it is legit! XP loads and works great. I have only had one that failed to load the first time and that was because it had "Exceeded it maximinum activations"... When that happens you just ask it to generate a code then call MS. They give you a new code to put in and away you go.

 

Hmm, well, as long as it works I guess it's better.
But you deal with the hassle of finding "extinct" toughbooks...

 

To my knowledge it hasn't. As far as I know, OEM versions of Windows are still tied to the machine on which they were activated.

 

I meant when you buy an oem version from a retailer like NewEgg. They used to require a component puchase along with it............

 

Oops! Sorry. I quoted the wrong post. I meant to respond to Toughbook. It sounded like they were saying that the only difference between the retail and OEM versions was the packaging.

To my knowledge, the OEM versions are still only valid for the first PC on which they are activated, whereas retail versions can be re-used if you get a new computer (as long as you remove it from the old one, of course).