can someone just clarify something for me please.

[Bad Ass]

turns out my copy of windows is dodgy so I need to get a proper copy. My problem is, obviously there's home and there's professional.

Now on my travels around the forum rules (or at least you should have) there's... (EDIT, just seen that OCUK does windows, and that its cheaper, but same principle on prices as a guide)
£90 - xp home upgrade
£199 - xp home sp2
£199 - xp pro upgrade
£259 - xp pro sp2

now, i presume that I can either get the £90 home or the £199 Pro and just download the service packs to get to SP2.

But whats the difference between the two and will i make any benefits from it, as its going to be a gaming machine.

the machine is going to be a fresh format and install at the same time

 

[VeNT]

turns out my copy of windows is dodgy so I need to get a proper copy. My problem is, obviously there's home and there's professional.

Now on my travels around the forum rules (or at least you should have) there's... (EDIT, just seen that OCUK does windows, and that its cheaper, but same principle on prices as a guide)
£90 - xp home upgrade
£199 - xp home sp2
£199 - xp pro upgrade
£259 - xp pro sp2

now, i presume that I can either get the £90 home or the £199 Pro and just download the service packs to get to SP2.

But whats the difference between the two and will i make any benefits from it, as its going to be a gaming machine.

the machine is going to be a fresh format and install at the same time

nope, those are upgrades from older vertions of windows (98, me, 2000 etc)
you need full, if you buy the cheap OEM from OcUK you need to buy the HARDWARE its going to go on aswell (rules).

iirc the WGA software can take you to a site that can sell you a cheap copy of windows (legit),

BUT FIRST


check it REALY is illigal, if its a branded PC and you bought it then 9/10 its gonna be legit.
I've seen this software get it SO wrong SO meny times that its just not funny anymore, even copys of windows that I've installed from restore disks supplyed by sony etc have shown up as bad.