My wife has an Intel Macbook. She uses the XP Pro side. The installation
there has gone south. I think I may end up having to reinstall the OS, which
as described in my previous post on this problem, I will have to do from a
newly-purchased copy. I'm a bit confused as to the functionality of the
various versions available. In decending order of price, Newegg lists the
following:

- Microsoft Windows XP Professional with SP2 - Retail 269.99
- Microsoft Windows XP Professional Upgrade with SP,2 - Retail, 184.99
- Microsoft Windows XP Professional With SP2B 1 Pack - OEM, 139.99
- Microsoft Windows XP Pro SP2b 1pk w/Upgrade Coupon for Vista - OEM, 139.99

My understanding of OEM is that it's basically just the disk, as it would be
supplied to a manufacturer. And I get the bit about the Vista upgrade coupon
(all things being equal, the one with the Vista coupon would seem to be
preferable to the one with out at the same price). The part that confuses me
is whether or not these OEM versions can be installed on a fresh partition,
as opposed to upgrading from ME, 2K, etc. Any enlightenment apprciated.

TIA

Fred

Fred wrote:

> My wife has an Intel Macbook. She uses the XP Pro side. The installation
> there has gone south. I think I may end up having to reinstall the OS, which
> as described in my previous post on this problem, I will have to do from a
> newly-purchased copy. I'm a bit confused as to the functionality of the
> various versions available. In decending order of price, Newegg lists the
> following:
>
> - Microsoft Windows XP Professional with SP2 - Retail 269.99
> - Microsoft Windows XP Professional Upgrade with SP,2 - Retail, 184.99
> - Microsoft Windows XP Professional With SP2B 1 Pack - OEM, 139.99
> - Microsoft Windows XP Pro SP2b 1pk w/Upgrade Coupon for Vista - OEM, 139.99
>
> My understanding of OEM is that it's basically just the disk, as it would be
> supplied to a manufacturer. And I get the bit about the Vista upgrade coupon
> (all things being equal, the one with the Vista coupon would seem to be
> preferable to the one with out at the same price). The part that confuses me
> is whether or not these OEM versions can be installed on a fresh partition,
> as opposed to upgrading from ME, 2K, etc. Any enlightenment apprciated.

OEM versions can only do a clean install, they can't do an upgrade.
There are other limitations that come with the OEM license, the most
significant is that it's tied to the first computer on which it's
installed. It can't be moved to another computer even if the first
computer dies - the license dies with it. It can only be transferred to
another party if the computer on which it's installed is sold with it.
You do not have access to MS for the the 3 free support incidents that
come with a retail license. You or the vendor from which you bought it
are responsible for the tech support.

--
Rock
MS MVP Windows - Shell/User

Fred wrote:

> My wife has an Intel Macbook. She uses the XP Pro side. The installation
> there has gone south. I think I may end up having to reinstall the OS, which
> as described in my previous post on this problem, I will have to do from a
> newly-purchased copy. I'm a bit confused as to the functionality of the
> various versions available. In decending order of price, Newegg lists the
> following:
>
> - Microsoft Windows XP Professional with SP2 - Retail 269.99
> - Microsoft Windows XP Professional Upgrade with SP,2 - Retail, 184.99
> - Microsoft Windows XP Professional With SP2B 1 Pack - OEM, 139.99
> - Microsoft Windows XP Pro SP2b 1pk w/Upgrade Coupon for Vista - OEM, 139.99
>
> My understanding of OEM is that it's basically just the disk, as it would be
> supplied to a manufacturer. And I get the bit about the Vista upgrade coupon
> (all things being equal, the one with the Vista coupon would seem to be
> preferable to the one with out at the same price). The part that confuses me
> is whether or not these OEM versions can be installed on a fresh partition,
> as opposed to upgrading from ME, 2K, etc. Any enlightenment apprciated.

OEM versions can only do a clean install, they can't do an upgrade.
There are other limitations that come with the OEM license, the most
significant is that it's tied to the first computer on which it's
installed. It can't be moved to another computer even if the first
computer dies - the license dies with it. It can only be transferred to
another party if the computer on which it's installed is sold with it.
You do not have access to MS for the the 3 free support incidents that
come with a retail license. You or the vendor from which you bought it
are responsible for the tech support.

--
Rock
MS MVP Windows - Shell/User