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    Cheapest place to find XP Pro?

    Discussion in 'Windows OS and Software' started by MrPhidalgo, Aug 9, 2005.

  1. MrPhidalgo

    MrPhidalgo Notebook Enthusiast

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    Does anyone know where the cheapest place I can buy Windows xp pro?
     
  2. TriviallyTravis

    TriviallyTravis Notebook Consultant

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    The cheapest way I can think of (if you have access to this sort of thing) is a student discount. I attend The Ohio State University and they have a deal where you can get Office 2K3, XP Pro and a butt-load of other software for about $150. Much cheaper than the OS itself.

    On a side note, I'd like to ask anybody who replies if they know how many times you are allowed to do an install with a given copy of XP Pro. I know with Office Pro, you can do 2 installs, I think it is... I was wondering if it was the same with the OS.
     
  3. coriolis

    coriolis Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    A Student copy is very cheap, you often also get Office+other licenses for a small fee.

    Or you can buy OEM versions for alot cheaper as well. eBay and Amazon are good places as well.
     
  4. lgandg

    lgandg Notebook Geek

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    For MS operating systems, you are only allowed 1 installtion under their license agreement. Applications (Office, etc.) can be installed on both a work system and a home system. You can find the license agreement on their website.
     
  5. ZaZ

    ZaZ Super Model Super Moderator

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    Look on Pricegrabber as well.
     
  6. mtrivs

    mtrivs Notebook Evangelist

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    I dunno about this, but i thought MS made it so that you can install the OS to 2 different computers.
     
  7. hkchewy

    hkchewy Notebook Enthusiast

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    I am also from Ohio State, if you study computer science and declare it as major, you will actually get a free XP Pro from them :)
     
  8. lgandg

    lgandg Notebook Geek

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    Direct quote from Microsoft for desktop operating sytems:
    I) Installation and Use Rights.
    a) You may install up to two copies of the software on one device.
    b) Except as provided in Section II.a and II.b below, only one user may use the software at a time.
    c) You may run a prior version in place of the licensed version for either or both of the copies.
    d) You may only use the copies on the device on which you first install them.
    e) You may use the software on up to two processors on that device at one time.

    As I said--you can install OSes on only ONE system. Applications can be installed on home and office systems. If you still don't believe it, you see the whole thing at http://www.microsoftvolumelicensing...ctUseRights(Worldwide)(English)(July2005).doc
     
  9. Venombite

    Venombite Notebook Virtuoso

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    OS's require a COA label (Product Key) for every system that's it going to be installed on. If you already have an XP Pro COA label on each system, you can use the same copy of XP Pro and install in both systems. The only way to get a COA label is to either buy the OS, get the OS with your system or purchase COA labels directly from MS (not really an option as it's only sold to OEM's/manufacturers).

    -Vb-
     
  10. TriviallyTravis

    TriviallyTravis Notebook Consultant

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    I am also from Ohio State, if you study computer science and declare it as major, you will actually get a free XP Pro from them

    Yep. Unfortunately you can't get Office from them.

    You have to buy the Buckeye Bundle to get that.

    However, you end up with two legal copies of XP this way as well ;-)
     
  11. ivar

    ivar Notebook Deity

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    btw, how much do you pay for Windows in the US?
    Here in Germany it is like 100$ for XP Home and 140$ for XP Pro.