OS Deal at Microsoft

joroma

joroma

joroma

Associate
Joined
21 Mar 2004
Posts
638
Location
Dorset
Beavering away on my PC last night having done a complete reinstall and suddenly I get a message telling me I’ve got a counterfeit copy of XP on it!!!
I bought the PC at a Computer Fair with the OS pre-installed about three years ago but haven’t kept any receipts so can’t take advantage of Microsofts free offer so I am going to buy a genuine OS. Microsoft are offering me XP Pro for £92. Does anybody know what version of Pro this will be ie OEM or will it be the MS supported retail version or is it some other version? Seems like a good deal to me.
 
If I get Home OEM will I be able to "legalise" my current OS without doing another reinstall? The MS offer includes an email with a key and instructions which will allow me to make my current OS legal without a reinstall. Also I am trying to avoid having to contact MS everytime I upgrade my pc.
 
So if I get a copy of XP Home how can I save all my existing setup so that I can reinstall with the minimum fuss onto the new OS?
I've got a 160gb hard drive split into three partitions c:20gb for OS/Utilities D:45gb for programme files and E:85gb for all data/images/music.
I've got a 2nd 160gb drive that is newly formatted and I can use to back everything up onto.
I have spent ages (lots more than an hour!) installing all my software including all the MS Office updates and can't face the thought of doing it all again!!
 
Answer from Microsoft Forum to my question is it the full retail version of XP Pro with Microsoft Support:

"No matter what, you will have to reactivate when you reinstall Windows. But yes :) Having genuine Windows will allow you to recieve full support and updates."

Not sure if that means it is Retail or OEM Version?
 
"Perhaps you could try a third time and try asking like this...

Will I get a full retail license, exactly the same as if I purchased the boxed retail version of Windows XP in a store? If I build a completely new PC in future, will I be able to use this disc to install Windows or will I need to buy another license?"

Its looking to me like its a full retail version but I have posted a question based on the above and will post here when I get a reply.
 
kkelly said:
well thats me £92 less than i planned to be this month :(
Click to expand...

You have to be able to send them the illegal XP Disk that came with your PC as well as the receipt and it must look genuine ie have a fake MS Hologram on it.
 
Well Guys here is the question I asked:

"Will I get a full retail licenced version exactly the same as at a Microsoft Retailer? If I build a new PC in the future, replacing my current PC, will I be able to use the disc and licence to install windows or will I need to buy another licence??"

and here is the reply direct from Microsoft:

"I guarantee you it is a full retail version (the WGA Kit). Its the exact same thing, except it comes with a nice letter from our Director (Dave Lazar, as said earlier).

In addition, we distribute the Product Key and a special WGA Kit specific update tool so you can update your Windows to a legitimate version while the physical CD is in the mail.

-----

In regards to your new PC replacement - yes. I must warn you though, that you will have to go through Product Activation (probably through telephone) to verify that you have only installed on one PC. If you check the FAQ (on www.microsoft.com/genuine) , it will give the highlight of what Product Activation is, and the checks in hardware changes and tolerances we allow before we request a phone activation."

This seems like a genuine reduction to me.
 
I got my email with link to tool to sort out my counterfeit copy within two days of paying the £92 and the CD arrived about 10 days later. It is the Retail Version not OEM.
 
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