Cheapest way to get windows XP home?

The_KiD

The_KiD

The_KiD

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I know OEM is the cheapest, but what do I have to buy to get a copy of XP home OEM?

One websites says it has to be a full system, however I have been told that you can get it when buyings a hard disk only?
 
can anyone confirm this?

I have a machine that doesnt really need anything, but it does need an OS, so really dont wanna have to buy something expensive.
 
I have also heard/read the same - as long as you buy something that is a component of some description you meet the legal requirement. If you took a look at a well known auction site you will see a lot of people selling OEM copies bundled with misc parts!

I've also seen this stated on reputable comeptitor websites (which I obviously can't link) stating that MS have know allowed OEM copies to be distributed with any hardware purchase no matter how small.
 
I always thought that the responsibility lay with the "seller".

They have an agreement with MS as to what criteria they have to meet when selling XP as an OEM product.

And I believe this is basically what they agree to:

Microsoft OEM Software:

If the individual software license is a desktop operating system (including Windows XP Media Center Edition), we grant you a nonexclusive right to distribute individual software licenses; provided that each one is distributed with either (a) a fully assembled computer system or (b) a nonperipheral computer hardware component.

A “fully assembled computer system” means a computer system consisting of at least a central processing unit, a motherboard, a hard drive, a power supply, and a case.
A “nonperipheral computer hardware component” means a component that will be an integral part of the fully assembled computer system on which the individual software license will be installed.
Click to expand...

As to exactly what constitutes “nonperipheral computer hardware component”, is possibly a little up for debate, but I believe that, as a buyer, it is not up to you to worry about this. If you are buying from a reputable store, then you should assume that they are abiding by their agreement with MS. At least thats my understanding of things.
 
I read somewhere not so long ago that there wasnt no restrictions on OEM software no more, but I have also read that you have to buy hardware or a peripheral, so its a tough one to call

Lee
 
Right, I would like to clear some of this up. Even though its all in the sticky.

To purchase an OEM version of Windows you do NOT have to purchase any 'qualifying hardware'. This was revised by MS about 9 months ago, hence why you have conflicting information.

In relation to the cost, there are significant differences the in Retail and OEM license, read the sticky for specifics.

Burnsy
 
burnsy2023 said:
Right, I would like to clear some of this up. Even though its all in the sticky.

To purchase an OEM version of Windows you do NOT have to purchase any 'qualifying hardware'. This was revised by MS about 9 months ago, hence why you have conflicting information.

In relation to the cost, there are significant differences the in Retail and OEM license, read the sticky for specifics.

Burnsy
Click to expand...

Ok dokey so where do I get just a copy of XP home OEM?
 
beware though, microsoft do not provide support for OEM products, even if the fault lies with them!! With regards to software activation etc!!!
 
The_KiD said:
I have a machine that doesnt really need anything, but it does need an OS, so really dont wanna have to buy something expensive.
Click to expand...

Linux / BSD are inexpensive solutions. ;)
 
wijcc said:
beware though, microsoft do not provide support for OEM products, even if the fault lies with them!! With regards to software activation etc!!!
Click to expand...

This is not quite true. Support for the product itself is through the OEM, but activation doesn't come under that.

Burnsy
 
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