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D Hook · Joined: 02 Nov 2002 Posts: 3158 Location: Omaha, NE

Has anyone ever purchased Windows XP pro off the ebay sellers? They sell it for much less than retail and claim it is the same as the retail version but is not an academic version and not a "branded" disc. I guess I don't know what that means. I understand the academic version; you have to qualify to be able to buy it after the auction closes. The prices are very tempting but I just wonder if I'll be able to install it and use it or if I'll find it only works in Chinese languages or something.

Here's an example of what I'm asking about:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=41888&item=7165075251&rd=1

Any comments before I'm suckered into this would be most helpful. TIA.
(And yes, I'm very familiar with the "If it's too good to be true..." adage.)

Viking · Joined: 30 Jan 2003 Posts: 107 Location: Oslo, Norway

I never bought one off eBay, but this software is OEM, which means it's only legal to sell with some hardware.

Just how legal it is to sell it, I have no idea, but you should be able to use it, as long as it hasn't already been activated. (The auction says it's unused)

ideola · Joined: 01 Oct 2004 Posts: 15550 Location: Spring Lake MI

I think this statement is a clue: "In accordance with Microsoft, and eBay's policy for listing OEM software you will receive "as-is" non-peripheral computer hardware component."

My guess is that these CDs are the ones that come bundled with hardware of some form. The suspicious thing is that those sealed packages usually say something to the effect of "not for resale" or "only for distribution with a new computer". As to what the "as-is non-peripheral computer hardware component", I wonder what in the world that is???
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mantise · Joined: 21 Apr 2005 Posts: 46 Location: Brooklyn

very cheap xp is worth like $200 or something like that. don't know why its selling for that little

tj924 · Posted: Wed Jun 22, 2005 10:34 pm Post subject:

I work for a reseller & found out recently that you can legitimately purchase OEM Windows XP by simply buying an el-cheapo mouse.
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TJ
Silver '82 924 NA 5-Speed Manual

Jazzerpet · Joined: 07 Apr 2003 Posts: 186 Location: Omaha, NE.

Don,
As Viking indicated it is OEM software. OEM is sold by Microsoft to P.C. companies and was intended to be sold with a new system. Microsoft does not support OEM software they leave it up to the system builder to provide end user support. For all practical purposes you should never have to call Microsoft for help anyway. You can still receive updates from their website. I don’t think you would notice a software difference between this or spending $200.00 at NFM.
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D Hook · Joined: 02 Nov 2002 Posts: 3158 Location: Omaha, NE

Thanks guys. Yeah, the peripheral software is usually some cheap piece of stuff that comes with it, sometimes an old used modem card or some such thing, like the mouse that was mentioned.

Just want to make sure I'm not bidding on something that I can't even get to boot up. You're right Jim, in all the years on computers using Windows, I have yet to communicate with Microsoft on anything.

Here's the seller's reply when asked if this was a legitimate deal:

"Yes...it was purchased directly from Microsoft, and you will be able to register it."

Okay, I'll keep an eye on the auction. If anyone has any other info, it would be much appreciated.

skemcin · Joined: 02 Sep 2003 Posts: 1284 Location: Plainfield, IL

unless you answer yes to the following questions, I'd wonder if you even need it:
a.) Have you built a new box from scratch, and do not have any other OS?
b.) Are you absolutely sure that what ever system you choose to install this on has fully compatible hardware devices and drivers?
c.) Are you currently using Windows 98 or ME?

Thats just off the top of my head. Is there a real reason to buy this or is the price just tempting to upgrade to the latest and (questionably) greatest. If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

Do you really need XP?
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D Hook · Joined: 02 Nov 2002 Posts: 3158 Location: Omaha, NE

Yeah, I'm afraid so. Some new software I use at work only runs on 2K or XP. I've already tried loading the new software on a machine w/just 98SE and it won't work. Loaded it up on XP and it runs as it should.

I've only built three PC's so far from scratch and have only gotten one PC that came w/an OS installed. That was Win95. Currently using Win98SE.

Your correct about the drivers, etc. I've checked and don't see any problems (yet).

A friend of mine at work was telling me about a program called System Commander (?) that allows your PC to run on different OS simply by telling it which OS you need to run the software you want to run. He was taking a training class in some electronic repairs and the laptops they were using were able to swap between XP and win98 and I think even win95 quite easily. I haven't looked for this program yet but will. I may have a couple older CAD programs that are not compatible w/XP that I still use occasionally. Does that sound familiar to anyone? (That's my next google search.)

Either way, the upgrade is in my future and I'm trying to find the least amount of money I need to spend to make it happen. My wife will no longer allow me to continue my male prostitution job so funds are not as plentiful. And SHE'S too cheap to pay me!

ideola · Joined: 01 Oct 2004 Posts: 15550 Location: Spring Lake MI

Bummer on the male gigilo embargo!

Later versions of XP and W2K Pro provide the ability to run a program in "compatibility" mode. I don't recall the exact steps, but I believe you just need to right click on the application shortcut, go to properties, and dig around in the tabs until you find the configuration options. I'm running XP on a machine I've setup for gaming, and have been able to successfully configure virtually all of my old PC games that are dependent on Win95. You might try that as an option on your CAD programs. I would avoid a dual-boot windoze system at all costs. Linux/Unix is one thing...but I've *always* had problems with stability on dual boot windoze systems.
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erstwhile owner of just about every 924 variant ever made

Helstrm · Joined: 05 Feb 2005 Posts: 198 Location: Columbia, SC

In order to buy OEM software a mouse will not satisfy microsoft. You must purchase a PC build component. Mother Board, Hard drive, modem, CD rom .. ect....

Some large companies that buy a lot of PCs use corporate images and select agreements so they chunk the boxed software. (Employees pick these up all the time) Wholesale OEM XP is still more than this guy is selling them for. Microsoft won't care as long as they made some money on it somewhere so yes if you want it you are safe to buy it. Providing that someone has not already registered the key and activated it.
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Helstrm · Joined: 05 Feb 2005 Posts: 198 Location: Columbia, SC

ideola · Joined: 01 Oct 2004 Posts: 15550 Location: Spring Lake MI

It's not a question of whether it can be done...it's a question of whether it can be operated stably over the long term, something I've never witnessed personally.

If you really need multiple OSes, a better option might be VMWare.
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D Hook · Joined: 02 Nov 2002 Posts: 3158 Location: Omaha, NE

Good info gentlemen. I'll do more digging.

I do have two hard drives on the computer at work that needs the XP system so I may go that route. That would also serve to isolate the hard drive that contains the critical software we need to run automation from the hard drive that can be used for everyday office work/web surfing, etc.

Thanks for the suggestions.
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Min · Posted: Thu Jun 23, 2005 2:19 am Post subject:

Be sure to understand the implications of using OEM software, such as, the machine you install that software on the first time is legally the only machine your allowed to run that software on, if that computer gets hit by lightning, technically your not legally allowed to install that software on the replacement computer. Which means you can't format that computer and then install this software on another machine.

Min