Buying WindowsXP on eBay?

[ya3]

Hi,

I'm looking for a legit copy of XP Pro SP2 on eBay, but I'm not sure what to get. There are so many of them, all legit copies with keys and such, but they don't come in a box or anything - just the blue shrink-wrapped CD-case. In the description on most of them, it says "non-peripheral hardware included to comply with Microsoft OEM conditions". This means it's an OEM version, right? Plus, the OEM version doesn't allow you to do an upgrade - it has to be a clean install...

Any tips?

[simplistik]

How much are they goin for on ebay? I'd almost suggest goin to Pricewatch or sth and finding something http://www.pricewatch.com/m-182.htm

[squireglig]

It seems they're going for much cheaper on ebay than in regular retail stores.

I know that OEM stuff is usually much much cheaper. I'm not exactly sure how it works, but I've bought alot of OEM stuff from local computer shops and software is always in a little shrink wrapped sleeve, and hardware in just a generic white box. No marketing action on any of the stuff. haha.

The price seems about right. I usually buy OEM stuff from here and it's legit:

http://www.canadacomputers.com/index.php?do=ShowProduct&cmd=pd&pid=001228&cid=SW.815

So I would say you're pretty safe picking any. Standard ebay rules apply (ebay stores + higher positive feedback = :thumb:)

[teet]

Plus, the OEM version doesn't allow you to do an upgrade - it has to be a clean install...

I also don't think you can transfer the license to another machine legally with OEM. If you build a new computer, you won't be able to put that copy of XP Pro on it (assuming of course that you took it off the other machine). Although, if you call up the microsoft activation hotline you could probably trick them into activating it for you... :)

-Alex

[Grant B]

yeah, be careful with OEM. I bought one recently for my Mum from amazon.com for pretty cheap and I've bought a couple in the past.

That said - I recently bought a later copy of Windows XP with sp2 - the boxed version and I've had to call and activate twice thanks to just taking out my dvd drive to swap with my linux machine on occasion. So if the full version is that tricky - I'm pleased not to have the OEM version on this machine.

[phorte]

Not sure were u are in Aus ya3, but up here in qld i saw Harvey Norman were selling WinXP Pro, with an academic discount for $100 or somtin. Just thought id mention.

Edit: i just looked, thoose were upgrades... so.. :)

[ya3]

What's the difference with educational purchases of Windows?

[minimalistik]

If your a student, you get a discount price I believe.

[InfestedDemon]

yeah, but cant you buy sp1 and update it free online?

[phorte]

What's the difference with educational purchases of Windows?
Im pretty its exactly the same, it just has the discount.

[love police]

yeh it is exactly the same, but you just have to be a student, or a teacher or work at an education institution. but if you get busted with education software but are none of those, big trouble.

[λ]

I also don't think you can transfer the license to another machine legally with OEM. If you build a new computer, you won't be able to put that copy of XP Pro on it (assuming of course that you took it off the other machine). Although, if you call up the microsoft activation hotline you could probably trick them into activating it for you... :)

-Alex

It should be protected by the first-sale doctrine, depending on where you are ;)

[minimalistik]

This is an incredible difference. At Officeworks, it is $98.00 for Academic version (XP Professional). But the SP2 version is $472.00. It's $319.00 only for Home version. Yikes...

[phorte]

This is an incredible difference. At Officeworks, it is $98.00 for Academic version (XP Professional). But the SP2 version is $472.00. It's $319.00 only for Home version. Yikes...The Officeworks one is also upgrade. Thats prob why its that much cheaper. But i think a normal XP Pro upgrade is still about $200 or somtin. So its still a pretty good price.

[fattony]

Tiger Direct.com sells the OEM version of Pro for $139.99, Media Center OEM also for $139.99 and Home for $89.99. Full boxed versions for $279.99, $279.99?, $192.00 respectively. I'm looking into getting a couple disks from them since none of my computers came with the OS disk, I have totally legit Professional and Home keys preloaded of course, but none the less legit