Purchase of windows xp

[Richard]

Should I purchase windows xp from microsoft or from ebay?
All on ebay says OEM. What is OEM? Will it be OEM if I
order from microsoft?

[Doug Knox MS-MVP]

OEM is Original Equipment Manufacturer. OEM versions are designed to only
do clean installations, so there is no upgrade path. Additionally, the
seller is responsible for all support of the product. You are entitled to
NO free support from Microsoft. If you order from Microsoft, or purchase it
in a retail store, you get the full version, are entitled to two free
support incidents from Microsoft.

Additionally, OEM versions are licensed for the machine they're first
installed on, so technically, you can't transfer it if you buy a new
computer. With the retail version, you're entitled to remove it from the
old machine and install it on the new one.

--
Doug Knox, MS-MVP Windows XP/ Windows Smart Display
Win 95/98/Me/XP Tweaks and Fixes
http://www.dougknox.com
--------------------------------
Associate Expert
ExpertZone - http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone
--------------------------------
Please reply only to the newsgroup so all may benefit.
Unsolicited e-mail is not answered.

"Richard" > wrote in message
...
> Should I purchase windows xp from microsoft or from ebay?
> All on ebay says OEM. What is OEM? Will it be OEM if I
> order from microsoft?

[Doug Knox MS-MVP]

OEM is Original Equipment Manufacturer. OEM versions are designed to only
do clean installations, so there is no upgrade path. Additionally, the
seller is responsible for all support of the product. You are entitled to
NO free support from Microsoft. If you order from Microsoft, or purchase it
in a retail store, you get the full version, are entitled to two free
support incidents from Microsoft.

Additionally, OEM versions are licensed for the machine they're first
installed on, so technically, you can't transfer it if you buy a new
computer. With the retail version, you're entitled to remove it from the
old machine and install it on the new one.

--
Doug Knox, MS-MVP Windows XP/ Windows Smart Display
Win 95/98/Me/XP Tweaks and Fixes
http://www.dougknox.com
--------------------------------
Associate Expert
ExpertZone - http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone
--------------------------------
Please reply only to the newsgroup so all may benefit.
Unsolicited e-mail is not answered.

"Richard" > wrote in message
...
> Should I purchase windows xp from microsoft or from ebay?
> All on ebay says OEM. What is OEM? Will it be OEM if I
> order from microsoft?

[Ken Blake]

In , Richard wrote:

> Should I purchase windows xp from microsoft or from ebay?
> All on ebay says OEM. What is OEM?


OEM stands for "Original Equipment Manufacturer." An OEM copy
differs from a retail copy in the following ways:

1. The OEM version is cheaper

2. The OEM version can be used only for clean installation, not
upgrades.

3. Microsoft doesn't support OEM versions; you need to turn to
your OEM if you have a problem.

4. The OEM's version's EULA prohibits moving it to any computer
other the one it's first installed on.



> Will it be OEM if I
> order from microsoft?


No.

--
Ken Blake
Please reply to the newsgroup

[Ken Blake]

In , Richard wrote:

> Should I purchase windows xp from microsoft or from ebay?
> All on ebay says OEM. What is OEM?


OEM stands for "Original Equipment Manufacturer." An OEM copy
differs from a retail copy in the following ways:

1. The OEM version is cheaper

2. The OEM version can be used only for clean installation, not
upgrades.

3. Microsoft doesn't support OEM versions; you need to turn to
your OEM if you have a problem.

4. The OEM's version's EULA prohibits moving it to any computer
other the one it's first installed on.



> Will it be OEM if I
> order from microsoft?


No.

--
Ken Blake
Please reply to the newsgroup

[Ron Martell]

"Richard" > wrote:

>Should I purchase windows xp from microsoft or from ebay?
>All on ebay says OEM. What is OEM? Will it be OEM if I
>order from microsoft?

See my web page regarding OEM Software at
http://onlinehelp.bc.ca/oem_software.htm

Good Luck


Ron Martell Duncan B.C. Canada
--
Microsoft MVP
On-Line Help Computer Service
http://onlinehelp.bc.ca

"The reason computer chips are so small is computers don't eat much."

[Ron Martell]

"Richard" > wrote:

>Should I purchase windows xp from microsoft or from ebay?
>All on ebay says OEM. What is OEM? Will it be OEM if I
>order from microsoft?

See my web page regarding OEM Software at
http://onlinehelp.bc.ca/oem_software.htm

Good Luck


Ron Martell Duncan B.C. Canada
--
Microsoft MVP
On-Line Help Computer Service
http://onlinehelp.bc.ca

"The reason computer chips are so small is computers don't eat much."

[Amethyst]

Ron Martell wrote:
> "Richard" > wrote:
>
>> Should I purchase windows xp from microsoft or from ebay?
>> All on ebay says OEM. What is OEM? Will it be OEM if I
>> order from microsoft?
>
> See my web page regarding OEM Software at
> http://onlinehelp.bc.ca/oem_software.htm
>
> Good Luck
>
>
> Ron Martell Duncan B.C. Canada

One final point: - If there is a picture of the disc (assuming the seller
isn't trying to trick you) look at it closely - if it says 'for use only
with an <insert brand name here> computer' then it isn't a full version,
merely a recovery disc. It is also against Ebay's Conditions of Sale to sell
OEM licences on Ebay - unless accompanied by the original hardware.

--
Cassandra
Card carrying member of the Fresh Start Club 'The Undead Are People Too!'

Reply address is fake. Please send all praise, abuse, insults, bequests
of £1million to cassandra (at) craigy34 (dot) freeserve (dot) co (dot)
uk. Change the obvious to the obvious.
Private requests for assistance will not be acknowledged. Please post all
correspondence to the group so that all may benefit. Thank you.

[Amethyst]

Ron Martell wrote:
> "Richard" > wrote:
>
>> Should I purchase windows xp from microsoft or from ebay?
>> All on ebay says OEM. What is OEM? Will it be OEM if I
>> order from microsoft?
>
> See my web page regarding OEM Software at
> http://onlinehelp.bc.ca/oem_software.htm
>
> Good Luck
>
>
> Ron Martell Duncan B.C. Canada

One final point: - If there is a picture of the disc (assuming the seller
isn't trying to trick you) look at it closely - if it says 'for use only
with an <insert brand name here> computer' then it isn't a full version,
merely a recovery disc. It is also against Ebay's Conditions of Sale to sell
OEM licences on Ebay - unless accompanied by the original hardware.

--
Cassandra
Card carrying member of the Fresh Start Club 'The Undead Are People Too!'

Reply address is fake. Please send all praise, abuse, insults, bequests
of £1million to cassandra (at) craigy34 (dot) freeserve (dot) co (dot)
uk. Change the obvious to the obvious.
Private requests for assistance will not be acknowledged. Please post all
correspondence to the group so that all may benefit. Thank you.

[Norm Simpkins]

I got mine from Microsoft, and happy with it...
My advice is NOT OEM.....Be Happy
Norm
"Richard" > wrote in message
...
> Should I purchase windows xp from microsoft or from ebay?
> All on ebay says OEM. What is OEM? Will it be OEM if I
> order from microsoft?

[Norm Simpkins]

I got mine from Microsoft, and happy with it...
My advice is NOT OEM.....Be Happy
Norm
"Richard" > wrote in message
...
> Should I purchase windows xp from microsoft or from ebay?
> All on ebay says OEM. What is OEM? Will it be OEM if I
> order from microsoft?

[Dr Robin Bignall]

Xref: kermit microsoft.public.windowsxp.basics:100100

On Thu, 17 Apr 2003 20:26:10 -0700, "Norm Simpkins" >
wrote:

>I got mine from Microsoft, and happy with it...
>My advice is NOT OEM.....Be Happy
>Norm

Me, too. Operating systems are kind of important, so buy from the people
who invented XP.

>"Richard" > wrote in message
...
>> Should I purchase windows xp from microsoft or from ebay?
>> All on ebay says OEM. What is OEM? Will it be OEM if I
>> order from microsoft?
>

--

wrmst rgrds
Robin Bignall

Remote Hertfordshire
England

http://homepage.ntlworld.com/docrobin/homepage.htm

[Dr Robin Bignall]

Xref: kermit microsoft.public.windowsxp.basics:100100

On Thu, 17 Apr 2003 20:26:10 -0700, "Norm Simpkins" >
wrote:

>I got mine from Microsoft, and happy with it...
>My advice is NOT OEM.....Be Happy
>Norm

Me, too. Operating systems are kind of important, so buy from the people
who invented XP.

>"Richard" > wrote in message
...
>> Should I purchase windows xp from microsoft or from ebay?
>> All on ebay says OEM. What is OEM? Will it be OEM if I
>> order from microsoft?
>

--

wrmst rgrds
Robin Bignall

Remote Hertfordshire
England

http://homepage.ntlworld.com/docrobin/homepage.htm

[Jim Macklin]

There are two kinds of OEM...
Companies like HP/Compaq, Dell or Gateway buy a license from
Microsoft to reproduce a customized version of the retail
media. They add and remove features to make a set of disks
that do what and only what they want. They may or may not
supply a "real" OS CD . They must provide something, but it
may only be an image of the original shipping configuration
on a hidden partition. Dell does ship restore disks,
applications disks and a real OS disk. Good for Dell.
Second kind of OEM is a disk made by Microsoft which is OEM
because MS has set it so it will not install on a drive with
another OS already installed, in other words, it won't do an
upgrade. The EULA says that once it is installed, it is
licensed only for the computer it was first installed on
(consider that activated on). I got my OEM Microsoft disk
from www.newegg.com when I bought my motherboard and CPU.
You must buy some hardware when you buy an OEM MS CD
although that might only be a $4 fan or a 25 cent screw.


"Dr Robin Bignall" > wrote in message
...
| On Thu, 17 Apr 2003 20:26:10 -0700, "Norm Simpkins"
>
| wrote:
|
| >I got mine from Microsoft, and happy with it...
| >My advice is NOT OEM.....Be Happy
| >Norm
|
| Me, too. Operating systems are kind of important, so buy
from the people
| who invented XP.
|
| >"Richard" > wrote in message
| ...
| >> Should I purchase windows xp from microsoft or from
ebay?
| >> All on ebay says OEM. What is OEM? Will it be OEM if I
| >> order from microsoft?
| >
|
| --
|
| wrmst rgrds
| Robin Bignall
|
| Remote Hertfordshire
| England
|
| http://homepage.ntlworld.com/docrobin/homepage.htm

[Jim Macklin]

There are two kinds of OEM...
Companies like HP/Compaq, Dell or Gateway buy a license from
Microsoft to reproduce a customized version of the retail
media. They add and remove features to make a set of disks
that do what and only what they want. They may or may not
supply a "real" OS CD . They must provide something, but it
may only be an image of the original shipping configuration
on a hidden partition. Dell does ship restore disks,
applications disks and a real OS disk. Good for Dell.
Second kind of OEM is a disk made by Microsoft which is OEM
because MS has set it so it will not install on a drive with
another OS already installed, in other words, it won't do an
upgrade. The EULA says that once it is installed, it is
licensed only for the computer it was first installed on
(consider that activated on). I got my OEM Microsoft disk
from www.newegg.com when I bought my motherboard and CPU.
You must buy some hardware when you buy an OEM MS CD
although that might only be a $4 fan or a 25 cent screw.


"Dr Robin Bignall" > wrote in message
...
| On Thu, 17 Apr 2003 20:26:10 -0700, "Norm Simpkins"
>
| wrote:
|
| >I got mine from Microsoft, and happy with it...
| >My advice is NOT OEM.....Be Happy
| >Norm
|
| Me, too. Operating systems are kind of important, so buy
from the people
| who invented XP.
|
| >"Richard" > wrote in message
| ...
| >> Should I purchase windows xp from microsoft or from
ebay?
| >> All on ebay says OEM. What is OEM? Will it be OEM if I
| >> order from microsoft?
| >
|
| --
|
| wrmst rgrds
| Robin Bignall
|
| Remote Hertfordshire
| England
|
| http://homepage.ntlworld.com/docrobin/homepage.htm

[Spinner]

"Jim Macklin" > wrote in message
...
> There are two kinds of OEM...
> Companies like HP/Compaq, Dell or Gateway buy a license from
> Microsoft to reproduce a customized version of the retail
> media. They add and remove features to make a set of disks
> that do what and only what they want. They may or may not
> supply a "real" OS CD . They must provide something, but it
> may only be an image of the original shipping configuration
> on a hidden partition. Dell does ship restore disks,
> applications disks and a real OS disk. Good for Dell.
> Second kind of OEM is a disk made by Microsoft which is OEM
> because MS has set it so it will not install on a drive with
> another OS already installed, in other words, it won't do an
> upgrade. The EULA says that once it is installed, it is
> licensed only for the computer it was first installed on
> (consider that activated on). I got my OEM Microsoft disk
> from www.newegg.com when I bought my motherboard and CPU.
> You must buy some hardware when you buy an OEM MS CD
> although that might only be a $4 fan or a 25 cent screw.

Jim, when I used to distribute MS products 2 years ago, the qualifying
hardware
list was very short, I think it was only MOBOs and harddrives.
Did MS change this recently? Just curiouse.



>
>
> "Dr Robin Bignall" > wrote in message
> ...
> | On Thu, 17 Apr 2003 20:26:10 -0700, "Norm Simpkins"
> >
> | wrote:
> |
> | >I got mine from Microsoft, and happy with it...
> | >My advice is NOT OEM.....Be Happy
> | >Norm
> |
> | Me, too. Operating systems are kind of important, so buy
> from the people
> | who invented XP.
> |
> | >"Richard" > wrote in message
> | ...
> | >> Should I purchase windows xp from microsoft or from
> ebay?
> | >> All on ebay says OEM. What is OEM? Will it be OEM if I
> | >> order from microsoft?
> | >
> |
> | --
> |
> | wrmst rgrds
> | Robin Bignall
> |
> | Remote Hertfordshire
> | England
> |
> | http://homepage.ntlworld.com/docrobin/homepage.htm
>
>

[Spinner]

"Jim Macklin" > wrote in message
...
> There are two kinds of OEM...
> Companies like HP/Compaq, Dell or Gateway buy a license from
> Microsoft to reproduce a customized version of the retail
> media. They add and remove features to make a set of disks
> that do what and only what they want. They may or may not
> supply a "real" OS CD . They must provide something, but it
> may only be an image of the original shipping configuration
> on a hidden partition. Dell does ship restore disks,
> applications disks and a real OS disk. Good for Dell.
> Second kind of OEM is a disk made by Microsoft which is OEM
> because MS has set it so it will not install on a drive with
> another OS already installed, in other words, it won't do an
> upgrade. The EULA says that once it is installed, it is
> licensed only for the computer it was first installed on
> (consider that activated on). I got my OEM Microsoft disk
> from www.newegg.com when I bought my motherboard and CPU.
> You must buy some hardware when you buy an OEM MS CD
> although that might only be a $4 fan or a 25 cent screw.

Jim, when I used to distribute MS products 2 years ago, the qualifying
hardware
list was very short, I think it was only MOBOs and harddrives.
Did MS change this recently? Just curiouse.



>
>
> "Dr Robin Bignall" > wrote in message
> ...
> | On Thu, 17 Apr 2003 20:26:10 -0700, "Norm Simpkins"
> >
> | wrote:
> |
> | >I got mine from Microsoft, and happy with it...
> | >My advice is NOT OEM.....Be Happy
> | >Norm
> |
> | Me, too. Operating systems are kind of important, so buy
> from the people
> | who invented XP.
> |
> | >"Richard" > wrote in message
> | ...
> | >> Should I purchase windows xp from microsoft or from
> ebay?
> | >> All on ebay says OEM. What is OEM? Will it be OEM if I
> | >> order from microsoft?
> | >
> |
> | --
> |
> | wrmst rgrds
> | Robin Bignall
> |
> | Remote Hertfordshire
> | England
> |
> | http://homepage.ntlworld.com/docrobin/homepage.htm
>
>

[Jim McKinley]

I have a Compaq that came with Win XP installed. I did get a restore
disk from Compaq. Does this mean that I can upgrade to the next version
of Windows by just buying the upgrade disk?

Thanks,

Jim Macklin wrote:
> There are two kinds of OEM...
> Companies like HP/Compaq, Dell or Gateway buy a license from
> Microsoft to reproduce a customized version of the retail
> media. They add and remove features to make a set of disks
> that do what and only what they want. They may or may not
> supply a "real" OS CD . They must provide something, but it
> may only be an image of the original shipping configuration
> on a hidden partition. Dell does ship restore disks,
> applications disks and a real OS disk. Good for Dell.
> Second kind of OEM is a disk made by Microsoft which is OEM
> because MS has set it so it will not install on a drive with
> another OS already installed, in other words, it won't do an
> upgrade. The EULA says that once it is installed, it is
> licensed only for the computer it was first installed on
> (consider that activated on). I got my OEM Microsoft disk
> from www.newegg.com when I bought my motherboard and CPU.
> You must buy some hardware when you buy an OEM MS CD
> although that might only be a $4 fan or a 25 cent screw.
>
>
> "Dr Robin Bignall" > wrote in message
> ...
> | On Thu, 17 Apr 2003 20:26:10 -0700, "Norm Simpkins"
> >
> | wrote:
> |
> | >I got mine from Microsoft, and happy with it...
> | >My advice is NOT OEM.....Be Happy
> | >Norm
> |
> | Me, too. Operating systems are kind of important, so buy
> from the people
> | who invented XP.
> |
> | >"Richard" > wrote in message
> | ...
> | >> Should I purchase windows xp from microsoft or from
> ebay?
> | >> All on ebay says OEM. What is OEM? Will it be OEM if I
> | >> order from microsoft?
> | >
> |
> | --
> |
> | wrmst rgrds
> | Robin Bignall
> |
> | Remote Hertfordshire
> | England
> |
> | http://homepage.ntlworld.com/docrobin/homepage.htm
>
>

[Jim McKinley]

I have a Compaq that came with Win XP installed. I did get a restore
disk from Compaq. Does this mean that I can upgrade to the next version
of Windows by just buying the upgrade disk?

Thanks,

Jim Macklin wrote:
> There are two kinds of OEM...
> Companies like HP/Compaq, Dell or Gateway buy a license from
> Microsoft to reproduce a customized version of the retail
> media. They add and remove features to make a set of disks
> that do what and only what they want. They may or may not
> supply a "real" OS CD . They must provide something, but it
> may only be an image of the original shipping configuration
> on a hidden partition. Dell does ship restore disks,
> applications disks and a real OS disk. Good for Dell.
> Second kind of OEM is a disk made by Microsoft which is OEM
> because MS has set it so it will not install on a drive with
> another OS already installed, in other words, it won't do an
> upgrade. The EULA says that once it is installed, it is
> licensed only for the computer it was first installed on
> (consider that activated on). I got my OEM Microsoft disk
> from www.newegg.com when I bought my motherboard and CPU.
> You must buy some hardware when you buy an OEM MS CD
> although that might only be a $4 fan or a 25 cent screw.
>
>
> "Dr Robin Bignall" > wrote in message
> ...
> | On Thu, 17 Apr 2003 20:26:10 -0700, "Norm Simpkins"
> >
> | wrote:
> |
> | >I got mine from Microsoft, and happy with it...
> | >My advice is NOT OEM.....Be Happy
> | >Norm
> |
> | Me, too. Operating systems are kind of important, so buy
> from the people
> | who invented XP.
> |
> | >"Richard" > wrote in message
> | ...
> | >> Should I purchase windows xp from microsoft or from
> ebay?
> | >> All on ebay says OEM. What is OEM? Will it be OEM if I
> | >> order from microsoft?
> | >
> |
> | --
> |
> | wrmst rgrds
> | Robin Bignall
> |
> | Remote Hertfordshire
> | England
> |
> | http://homepage.ntlworld.com/docrobin/homepage.htm
>
>

[Rick \Nutcase\ Rogers]

Hi Jim,

Only if the current system is installed. The Upgrade disk will not recognize
the restore disk as qualifying media as it is in a proprietary image format.

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers aka "Nutcase" MS-MVP - Win9x - http://mvp.support.microsoft.com/
Associate Expert - WinXP - Expert Zone -
www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone
Win98 Help - www.rickrogers.org

"Jim McKinley" > wrote in message
...
> I have a Compaq that came with Win XP installed. I did get a restore
> disk from Compaq. Does this mean that I can upgrade to the next version
> of Windows by just buying the upgrade disk?
>
> Thanks,
>
> Jim Macklin wrote:
> > There are two kinds of OEM...
> > Companies like HP/Compaq, Dell or Gateway buy a license from
> > Microsoft to reproduce a customized version of the retail
> > media. They add and remove features to make a set of disks
> > that do what and only what they want. They may or may not
> > supply a "real" OS CD . They must provide something, but it
> > may only be an image of the original shipping configuration
> > on a hidden partition. Dell does ship restore disks,
> > applications disks and a real OS disk. Good for Dell.
> > Second kind of OEM is a disk made by Microsoft which is OEM
> > because MS has set it so it will not install on a drive with
> > another OS already installed, in other words, it won't do an
> > upgrade. The EULA says that once it is installed, it is
> > licensed only for the computer it was first installed on
> > (consider that activated on). I got my OEM Microsoft disk
> > from www.newegg.com when I bought my motherboard and CPU.
> > You must buy some hardware when you buy an OEM MS CD
> > although that might only be a $4 fan or a 25 cent screw.
> >
> >
> > "Dr Robin Bignall" > wrote in message
> > ...
> > | On Thu, 17 Apr 2003 20:26:10 -0700, "Norm Simpkins"
> > >
> > | wrote:
> > |
> > | >I got mine from Microsoft, and happy with it...
> > | >My advice is NOT OEM.....Be Happy
> > | >Norm
> > |
> > | Me, too. Operating systems are kind of important, so buy
> > from the people
> > | who invented XP.
> > |
> > | >"Richard" > wrote in message
> > | ...
> > | >> Should I purchase windows xp from microsoft or from
> > ebay?
> > | >> All on ebay says OEM. What is OEM? Will it be OEM if I
> > | >> order from microsoft?
> > | >
> > |
> > | --
> > |
> > | wrmst rgrds
> > | Robin Bignall
> > |
> > | Remote Hertfordshire
> > | England
> > |
> > | http://homepage.ntlworld.com/docrobin/homepage.htm
> >
> >
>

[Rick \Nutcase\ Rogers]

Hi Jim,

Only if the current system is installed. The Upgrade disk will not recognize
the restore disk as qualifying media as it is in a proprietary image format.

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers aka "Nutcase" MS-MVP - Win9x - http://mvp.support.microsoft.com/
Associate Expert - WinXP - Expert Zone -
www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone
Win98 Help - www.rickrogers.org

"Jim McKinley" > wrote in message
...
> I have a Compaq that came with Win XP installed. I did get a restore
> disk from Compaq. Does this mean that I can upgrade to the next version
> of Windows by just buying the upgrade disk?
>
> Thanks,
>
> Jim Macklin wrote:
> > There are two kinds of OEM...
> > Companies like HP/Compaq, Dell or Gateway buy a license from
> > Microsoft to reproduce a customized version of the retail
> > media. They add and remove features to make a set of disks
> > that do what and only what they want. They may or may not
> > supply a "real" OS CD . They must provide something, but it
> > may only be an image of the original shipping configuration
> > on a hidden partition. Dell does ship restore disks,
> > applications disks and a real OS disk. Good for Dell.
> > Second kind of OEM is a disk made by Microsoft which is OEM
> > because MS has set it so it will not install on a drive with
> > another OS already installed, in other words, it won't do an
> > upgrade. The EULA says that once it is installed, it is
> > licensed only for the computer it was first installed on
> > (consider that activated on). I got my OEM Microsoft disk
> > from www.newegg.com when I bought my motherboard and CPU.
> > You must buy some hardware when you buy an OEM MS CD
> > although that might only be a $4 fan or a 25 cent screw.
> >
> >
> > "Dr Robin Bignall" > wrote in message
> > ...
> > | On Thu, 17 Apr 2003 20:26:10 -0700, "Norm Simpkins"
> > >
> > | wrote:
> > |
> > | >I got mine from Microsoft, and happy with it...
> > | >My advice is NOT OEM.....Be Happy
> > | >Norm
> > |
> > | Me, too. Operating systems are kind of important, so buy
> > from the people
> > | who invented XP.
> > |
> > | >"Richard" > wrote in message
> > | ...
> > | >> Should I purchase windows xp from microsoft or from
> > ebay?
> > | >> All on ebay says OEM. What is OEM? Will it be OEM if I
> > | >> order from microsoft?
> > | >
> > |
> > | --
> > |
> > | wrmst rgrds
> > | Robin Bignall
> > |
> > | Remote Hertfordshire
> > | England
> > |
> > | http://homepage.ntlworld.com/docrobin/homepage.htm
> >
> >
>

[Ron Martell]

Jim McKinley > wrote:

>I have a Compaq that came with Win XP installed. I did get a restore
>disk from Compaq. Does this mean that I can upgrade to the next version
>of Windows by just buying the upgrade disk?
>

Yes. Your installed copy of Windows XP will serve as the qualifying
product for upgrading to a future new version of Windows.

You probably will not be able to do a "clean install" of the new version
because the CD itself probably will not serve as a qualifying product. It
will have to be installed first and then upgraded to the new version.

Good luck


Ron Martell Duncan B.C. Canada
--
Microsoft MVP
On-Line Help Computer Service
http://onlinehelp.bc.ca

"The reason computer chips are so small is computers don't eat much."

[Ron Martell]

Jim McKinley > wrote:

>I have a Compaq that came with Win XP installed. I did get a restore
>disk from Compaq. Does this mean that I can upgrade to the next version
>of Windows by just buying the upgrade disk?
>

Yes. Your installed copy of Windows XP will serve as the qualifying
product for upgrading to a future new version of Windows.

You probably will not be able to do a "clean install" of the new version
because the CD itself probably will not serve as a qualifying product. It
will have to be installed first and then upgraded to the new version.

Good luck


Ron Martell Duncan B.C. Canada
--
Microsoft MVP
On-Line Help Computer Service
http://onlinehelp.bc.ca

"The reason computer chips are so small is computers don't eat much."