Solve : Windows XP Professional CD's?

1.	Solve : Windows XP Professional CD's?
Answer» What is the difference between "Microsoft Windows XP Professional with SERVICE Pack 2" and "Microsoft Windows XP Professional Upgrade with Service Pack 2" on the following LINK: HTTP://www.costco.com/Common/Search.aspx?whse=BC&topnav=&search=Windows%20XP%20Professional&N=0&Ntt=Windows%20XP%20Professional&cm_re=1-_-Top_Left_Nav-_-Top_search I WANT to have a disk to reformat my computer any time I want.If you own a CD of a qualifying Windows product you can use the upgrade product. You just have to insert your CD when asked for a minute or so in the installation process when asked. (Sometimes you can use the upgrade with a running version of Windows but no guarantee. Also if you ever have to reload again....you can't.) If you have NO previous and qualifying version of WIndows you need the full product (not the upgrade). NOTE: If you have a restore CD from HP, etc. then that will not work. There is also an OEM version in the full configuration which is cheaper, if that's what you need. There are some differences in the licensing, but the product is the same.Are there any disadvantages to the OEM version?The differences are in the EULA (Licensing agreement). Microsoft want the OS to be tied to the machine, when sold by OEM's and they do not provide support beyond the Microsoft web site (which really isn't an issue). There are some reports that if one machine is disabled they will not activate the OS for use on another, and many people say they have had no problem with this. Check with Microsoft for the weekly staus change on this. In the end, they are in business to sell software. Quote There are some reports that if one machine is disabled they will not activate the OS for use on another, and many people say they have had no problem with this. Check with Microsoft for the weekly staus change on this. In the end, they are in business to sell software. What do you mean by 'disabled' and 'activated'? :-?If one machine dies or you want to move the copy of XP to another machine. XP requires activation to MAKE sure every machine gets it's own copy rather than using one purchase to load on multiple computers. http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/evaluation/features/activation.mspxWhat kind of programs (word processor, image editor, ect...) come of Windows Professional? (In Home Edition I got 'Word Perfect' as a word processor)Home edition does not include WordPerfect or anything other than WordPad and Notepad - pretty basic stuff. You got that as a bundle deal from your computer manufacturer, not from Microsoft. Other than that the applications are mostly the same with Home and Professional except for some networking stuff, etc., that you will probably never need. It's not like you get a lot of cool stuff with Pro. Home edition does not include WordPerfect or anything other than WordPad and Notepad - pretty basic stuff. You got that as a bundle deal from your computer manufacturer, not from Microsoft. Other than that the applications are mostly the same with Home and Professional except for some networking stuff, etc., that you will probably never need. It's not like you get a lot of cool stuff with Pro. Are there any big advantages to getting Windows Professional?To the average user, no. That "Professional" name sells quite a few. (Who wants to be a non-professional?) The advanced networking features are of little use. As mentioned before, you do not get extra programs or anything the casual user would notice. Here you go: http://www.annoyances.org/exec/show/article10-002Thankyou for your help GX1_Man. I am going to save $50 and get a 'Home Edition' CD.

Answer»

What is the difference between "Microsoft Windows XP Professional with SERVICE Pack 2" and "Microsoft Windows XP Professional Upgrade with Service Pack 2" on the following LINK: HTTP://www.costco.com/Common/Search.aspx?whse=BC&topnav=&search=Windows%20XP%20Professional&N=0&Ntt=Windows%20XP%20Professional&cm_re=1-_-Top_Left_Nav-_-Top_search

I WANT to have a disk to reformat my computer any time I want.If you own a CD of a qualifying Windows product you can use the upgrade product. You just have to insert your CD when asked for a minute or so in the installation process when asked. (Sometimes you can use the upgrade with a running version of Windows but no guarantee. Also if you ever have to reload again....you can't.)

If you have NO previous and qualifying version of WIndows you need the full product (not the upgrade).

NOTE: If you have a restore CD from HP, etc. then that will not work.

There is also an OEM version in the full configuration which is cheaper, if that's what you need. There are some differences in the licensing, but the product is the same.Are there any disadvantages to the OEM version?The differences are in the EULA (Licensing agreement). Microsoft want the OS to be tied to the machine, when sold by OEM's and they do not provide support beyond the Microsoft web site (which really isn't an issue). There are some reports that if one machine is disabled they will not activate the OS for use on another, and many people say they have had no problem with this.

Check with Microsoft for the weekly staus change on this. In the end, they are in business to sell software. Quote

There are some reports that if one machine is disabled they will not activate the OS for use on another, and many people say they have had no problem with this.

Check with Microsoft for the weekly staus change on this. In the end, they are in business to sell software.

What do you mean by 'disabled' and 'activated'? :-?If one machine dies or you want to move the copy of XP to another machine.

XP requires activation to MAKE sure every machine gets it's own copy rather than using one purchase to load on multiple computers.

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/evaluation/features/activation.mspxWhat kind of programs (word processor, image editor, ect...) come of Windows Professional?

(In Home Edition I got 'Word Perfect' as a word processor)Home edition does not include WordPerfect or anything other than WordPad and Notepad - pretty basic stuff. You got that as a bundle deal from your computer manufacturer, not from Microsoft.

Other than that the applications are mostly the same with Home and Professional except for some networking stuff, etc., that you will probably never need. It's not like you get a lot of cool stuff with Pro.
Home edition does not include WordPerfect or anything other than WordPad and Notepad - pretty basic stuff. You got that as a bundle deal from your computer manufacturer, not from Microsoft.

Other than that the applications are mostly the same with Home and Professional except for some networking stuff, etc., that you will probably never need. It's not like you get a lot of cool stuff with Pro.
Are there any big advantages to getting Windows Professional?To the average user, no. That "Professional" name sells quite a few. (Who wants to be a non-professional?) The advanced networking features are of little use. As mentioned before, you do not get extra programs or anything the casual user would notice. Here you go:

http://www.annoyances.org/exec/show/article10-002Thankyou for your help GX1_Man.

I am going to save $50 and get a 'Home Edition' CD.

Solve : Windows XP Professional CD's?

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