Buying Windoze XP

[Cyberus]

I've just acquired a P4, and I want to make it bloated and slow ;-) I just thought I'd do a quick search on ebay for XP, and I've seen some for sale that purport to be a full OEM version (as well as a few that come bundled with HPs or Compaqs), but they seem far too cheap.
I always live by the old adage, 'If it seems too good to be true, it probably is'. Any ideas? Or can anyone direct to me to a supplier (in UK or EU) that sells it cheaply?


edit: Are there any downsides to using the Dell/Compaq/etc bundled versions?

[bloodline]

When my work buy new computers, from HP/Compaq they never use the XP Pro that comes with the machine, but instead install a preprepared 2000 Image on the HD.

I have a couple of Genuine XP pro cd's here...

[SamuraiCrow]

@Cyberus

The deal with OEM copies of Windows is that in order to be sold legally they need to be sold with a piece of hardware.  The licence doesn't specify that the computer hardware needs to be a full-fledged computer so some companies will happily sell an OEM copy of Windows with a floppy drive power connector splitter or some similar cheap item to make the sale legal and voila:  a cheap release of Windows!

[Vincent]

Try Novatech - they're based in the UK and sell XP Home (£65) and Pro (£103) but, as SamuraiCrow said, you need to buy non-peripheral hardware with it.  You could always get some really cheap n nasty simms or sound card :-)

[InTheSand]

Hi,

I can also vouch for Novatech - used to use them lots when I used to live in the UK - always good service, etc.

Alternatively, why not install Linux (Fedora Core 4 is a good recommendation) and save yourself the money and your PC from a life of Microsoftness!

After all, UAE is also available for Linux, and that's surely the only reason for needing a PC!!  :-D

 - Ali

[swift240]

As far as eBay is concernd, if you buy a copy of XP then mostly it will be "copied" any way.  Thats why  alot are so cheap.
I know some one who won an auction, a CD that was "Microsoft Office 2003 Pro" and on it was Front Page, and Visio the full version with Serial number.
for £4.45 this was a By it now offer (BIN)
I thought the same as you to good to be true.
When he got it, yes for sure it was a copy (naturaly)
So yes they are mostly copies, you do of course get legal stuff, but I would not count to much on that.
And eBay have a rule that you CANNOT sell "copied" Items.
And yet sellers are getting away with loads of stuff like that.  MIcrosoft would have a great time with this lot.
BUT having said that who the hell wants to pay for Microsoft software at the prices they are now?
I can understand why so many people copy stuff.
And YES I do copy software, a backup copy for my own use in case the original ever gets damaged.
As a matter of interest I wander how many people have got legal stuff on the computer these days compared to those who have got copies?
Mike.

[DonnyEMU]

I would most assuredly spent the $150 on Windows XP Pro OEM (full version), than to buy XP Home. As long as you have a real certificate of authority and the disk is a nice shiney hologram these days you are good to go..

I really believe that XP is really worth the price and the people working on it deserve the money and time for their work. I hope the Amiga community believes in paying for their products (even as much as the PC community does). I know people who used to spend $70 for a really terrible Amiga word processor just to support the community. I hope that same thought pattern is still there..

[adolescent]

One thing to be aware of is Windows XP's activation feature.  If you get a non-valid license key you will not be able to use the software.  Even if you get a hacked version that works with the current service pack, it's not likely to work with future updates.

It's not a lot to spend.  But, if you just want to run Windows software you can always use WINE on Linux, BSD, etc.

[webman]

If you are planning on a machine that requires updating from the internet every day, not only on your O/S but on virus detectors, Antispam, firewall and worst of all service packs go for XPhome. The problem is that once you start the machine gets slower. I have just setup a machine for my daughter with a newly installed Windows XP Home OEM from OCUK. The SP2 version installed correctly and I found it work faster and more efficiently than my own installed SP1 install of XP PRO updated with Sp2 seperately. My P4 3.2ghz machine takes 6 minutes 14 seconds to boot fully into windows device drivers and background applications and firewalls in place. I like to call it WINDOZE.

[Linchpin]

@ webman...

What are you running on there?

I have all of what you have but without a firewall as i have a Router with NAT firewall... and i have an Athlon 1800+ with 512 MB ram.

Cold boot into windows complete takes no more than 1 min.

Id check MSconfig if i was you

[Linchpin]

Oh, and back on topic, if you check out www.ebuyer.com sometimes they pull good deals on WinXP. Not sure of the exact price at the moment, but worth a look.

[Chunder]

@Cyberus

Aria have it (XP Home OEM) on "super special" at the moment - only 50 quid!!

As Vincent says, the Windows OEM license states that it must only be sold with "non-trivial" hardware which is essential to the running of the computer - a keyboard, mouse, RAM, Hard-disk, etc. Obviously the cheaper, the better, from the consumer point of view! :-)

[twizzle]

Hi all
if its of any use i paid £259.99 for windows xp pro with sp2 in PC WORLD acouple of month`s ago. boot time 30sec--1min.
mike

[webman]

 I have my machine setup for digital artwork and use Photoshop CS but my workspace is preloaded. I have tried numerous ways to speed up load time but unfortunately with no good results. I am running an ASUS P4C800 with 2gb Dual channel ram 400 gb of HD space and nowhere to run. My  graphics is an Nvidia 6800 ULtra. I suspect that because I run things like Printer, Sound Plus several external USB2 HD's that these could cause some slow down. But if it is available touse why should all this slow down loading time? The Amiga is much more proficient.

[Linchpin]

Dunno.

But a 6min boot time is loooonngg for that machine spec.