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View Full Version : OT- Buying Windows XP

INDalltheway
02-03-2003, 06:29 PM
I currently have Windows ME on a laptop, and it just isn't cutting it. I really would like to upgrade to XP. I have XP on every other computer in my house, but not the laptop. All I really want to know is where to find the best deal on XP. Does Microsoft offer an upgrade program? Or should I just buy it from a retailer? Or Ebay?

Thanks a bunch
Taco
02-03-2003, 06:35 PM
Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but as I understand it you should be able to buy a license without receiving a CD or manual. This would save you some money (assuming you have a CD for your other computers). According to www.pricewatch.com you can get one for $58. (http://www.pricewatch.com/1/182/4180-1.htm)
McSweeny
02-03-2003, 08:09 PM
pssh don't buy just pirate
Dutch
02-04-2003, 01:23 PM
How about the difference between HOME and PROFFESSIONAL?

I've heard that Home is not NTFS but Fat32 while Proffessional is NTFS? Is that true?
Neel
02-04-2003, 01:47 PM
BOTH can be configured for NTFS. IP address issues and networking issues are the difference.
If you run a large home network, go for PRO. If not, Home would be just as good.
Are you running the upgrade? Or a clean install on a new HD?

Buying from the Microsoft store is the lowest cost option.
Draft Dodger
02-04-2003, 01:50 PM
Originally posted by Dutch
How about the difference between HOME and PROFFESSIONAL?

I've heard that Home is not NTFS but Fat32 while Proffessional is NTFS? Is that true?

no, I don't think this is true. both should do either Fat32 or NTFS.

I think: XP Pro provides Remote Desktop, is necessary if you are connecting via a network that uses domains, has EFS (folder and file encrypting - not the same thing as NTFS). not sure if there's others I missed.
Raven
02-04-2003, 01:58 PM
Are you a college student, or know someone who is?

Some universities have deals with Microsoft and you can get software at discounted prices.

I just bought XP for $15 today through this deal with my school. Even better, I was told it was already registered and I could install it on more than one computer. Only problem is it doesn't come with a manual, but I don't think i'll ever use that anyway.
Samdari
02-04-2003, 02:02 PM
Neel, do you get a commission from the Microsoft store?

The upgrade version is $99 there, the full version is $199.

You can usually get it off the web for ~$85 including CD, or the license only version Taco mentions for $58. How is the Microsoft store cheaper?
Draft Dodger
02-04-2003, 02:22 PM
Originally posted by Raven
I just bought XP for $15 today through this deal with my school. Even better, I was told it was already registered and I could install it on more than one computer. Only problem is it doesn't come with a manual, but I don't think i'll ever use that anyway.

seems a bit wanky - you can activate that on more than one computer?
MizzouRah
02-04-2003, 02:39 PM
I was told it was already registered and I could install it on more than one computer

Must be a pirated copy. If not, that is one heck of a deal.


Todd
Neel
02-04-2003, 03:04 PM
Samdari, I do not get commission! I can get XP Pro for $20 there.
I would like a commission though...good idea.
wbonnell
02-04-2003, 03:07 PM
Originally posted by MizzouRah
Must be a pirated copy. If not, that is one heck of a deal.


Todd

Pirating is one thing. Profiting from pirated software is another matter entirely.
Tarkus
02-04-2003, 03:15 PM
I've been told by many to get XP Pro, which is what I did. I also spent the extra on the retail version so that I can get help from Microsoft if I need it. No more dealing with third-party companies that are frequently out of business when I need them.

Tarkus
cthomer5000
02-04-2003, 03:18 PM
Originally posted by Raven
Are you a college student, or know someone who is?

Some universities have deals with Microsoft and you can get software at discounted prices.

I just bought XP for $15 today through this deal with my school. Even better, I was told it was already registered and I could install it on more than one computer. Only problem is it doesn't come with a manual, but I don't think i'll ever use that anyway.

I believe this. At RUtgers there were some programs available for free to us. It seems a bit shady, but that was probably just the person who gave it to you.

You can install it on multiple computers... just not legally.
Bonegavel
02-04-2003, 03:36 PM
XPRO offers additional security. You can lock folders and files etc with rights, while Home version doesn't allow this.
Daimyo
02-04-2003, 05:11 PM
I work at a university and i wouldn't jump on this guy. They probably have a campus select agreement that allows students to install XP on any machine they use for school for free (except for the $15 media cost). The version of XP I have (and the one we give to students) does not require activation (just need the CD key) and is perfectly legal as long as you're a student, faculty, or staff member at the school and use it on a machine that is used for anything school related.
Tarkus
02-04-2003, 07:04 PM
If you want to get a legit Microsoft Windows XP Pro in a retail box for $204.00 PM me and I'll tell ya where to get it. You can get OEM versions cheaper but not the full retail version (unless it's some special deal like at a university). :cool:

Tarkus
MizzouRah
02-04-2003, 07:58 PM
I work at a university and i wouldn't jump on this guy. They probably have a campus select agreement that allows students to install XP on any machine they use for school for free (except for the $15 media cost). The version of XP I have (and the one we give to students) does not require activation (just need the CD key) and is perfectly legal as long as you're a student, faculty, or staff member at the school and use it on a machine that is used for anything school related.



We were not jumping on him. Just sounded a little too good. That's one heck of a deal. Maybe I need to call my brother!

Todd
Raven
02-05-2003, 12:13 AM
It's a legit deal.

I ran a google search, and here (http://www.oit.umd.edu/msea/mea_pr.html) is the Press Release for it.
Samdari
02-05-2003, 07:33 AM
Originally posted by Neel
Samdari, I do not get commission! I can get XP Pro for $20 there.
I would like a commission though...good idea.

Lol, the home version is $200 there, not $20. Please link to your $20 price.
Draft Dodger
02-05-2003, 08:44 AM
Originally posted by Samdari
Lol, the home version is $200 there, not $20. Please link to your $20 price.

methinks he works for M$, which is why he gets a price break. as an employee of a M$ reseller, I was able to get it for $60, and I thought THAT was a nice deal... :)
Draft Dodger
02-05-2003, 08:45 AM
Originally posted by Raven
It's a legit deal.

I ran a google search, and here (http://www.oit.umd.edu/msea/mea_pr.html) is the Press Release for it.

except that's for Office, not Windows - but the basic premise is the same.
Dutch
02-05-2003, 11:31 AM
XPRO offers additional security. You can lock folders and files etc with rights, while Home version doesn't allow this.

Okay. But this is one of the big differences between FAT32 and NTFS.

I could swear that I formatted my drive to NTFS on every install I've done. But I can't PROVE that it's NTFS. Can anybody help me figure out if my XP HOME is NTFS or FAT32?
wishbone
02-05-2003, 11:32 AM
The deal is over now but I got Pro for $50 from Microsoft. It also came with a boblehead doll, some trading cards, a baseball and a pack of big league chew. It was a promotional deal on their website. You have to have a computer reselling business but my "business" upgrading and building PCs for family worked fine. It was a totally legit deal that I found in www.hardforum.com and hundreds of people got in on it.

How do you think Windows gets installed so quickly on so many PCs? And those losses due to privacy they calculate? All based on retail prices. Then they give the stuff away on the side. I am not condoning piracy at all, in fact I made a concerted effort to fully legalize my PC, but bending the rules is not the same as breaking them.