is this a legit copy of XP?

eurotrotter

Hi there
gonna be buying a macbook next week and gonna load XP on here as well
http://item.express.ebay.com/Windows-XP-Home-Full-2002-Version-w-SP2-and-Legal-COA_W0QQitemZ120110949327QQihZ002QQcmdZExpressItem

just wondering if the link above is a link to a 100% legit copy of XP?

and i intend using bootcamp, whats involved in installing Xp alongside mac os x?
havint done this before and not very familiar with mac in terms of installing OS' on them etc.

thanks
for your help
ed

Urban Weigl

Well, it looks legal, that's not to say it is. As far as Boot Camp, it's dead easy.

sozbox

That looks to be genuine. As far as installing Windows, it's pretty easy. When you get your Mac just download BootCamp from Apple's site and follow the instructions. Just have a blank CD and your Windows CD ready.

Urban Weigl

I'd go as far as saying the only hard part about installing Windows on a Mac is using Windows. Just hate the Windows XP installer compared to the OS X installer.

mathias

Looks genuine enough however it points out clearly on the wrapper that its an OEM version.

Now some people take the term " Full Version " to mean a full retail version ( as opposed to an OEM version ), that version would have no limit on activation in case of re-installs etc.

This is an OEM version and is supposed to be tied to specific hardware , if this was delivered with a certain PC say , to a company or whatever , it may not actually work for you, and if it does work , you get to activate once only , after that when you re-install , you have to call microsoft.

It also clearly states that its only for the USA and Canada , so on activation , microsoft may well refuse to activate as they will know from the serial that its not from these parts !

Just so ya know.

eurotrotter

thanks for the help
since its still in its rapping, it hasnt been "married" to any piece of h/w yet, so it should work on the first piece of h/w its introduced to am i right in syaing this?!
thanks
ed

mathias wrote:

Looks genuine enough however it points out clearly on the wrapper that its an OEM version.

Now some people take the term " Full Version " to mean a full retail version ( as opposed to an OEM version ), that version would have no limit on activation in case of re-installs etc.

This is an OEM version and is supposed to be tied to specific hardware , if this was delivered with a certain PC say , to a company or whatever , it may not actually work for you, and if it does work , you get to activate once only , after that when you re-install , you have to call microsoft.

It also clearly states that its only for the USA and Canada , so on activation , microsoft may well refuse to activate as they will know from the serial that its not from these parts !

Just so ya know.

mathias

since its still in its rapping, it hasnt been "married" to any piece of h/w yet, so it should work on the first piece of h/w its introduced to am i right in syaing this?!

Mmm .... Maybe , Maybe not , ysee some business's like to install pre-prepared images on to their PC's , like high street shops or offices etc , that way they know that all the stuff they send out is the same and any calls they get for support will all involve the same setup , the disc is usually shipped to them anyway and these will then be " spare " , but not really , as the serial numbers are used !!

Now if some enterprising young person was to find all these unopened versions of XP ( unopened but not unused !! ) and try to make a few dollars !! .....you see where this is going .........

Not that thats the case , but it could be , so be careful !!

If you want to be sure that your copy is legit , this crowd are safe as houses , not as cheap , but definitely legit ,

http://www.komplett.ie/k/ki.asp?sku=327649

eurotrotter

im learning a lot today!
thats made it clear to me
i dont want to run the risk!
thanks for your help
have a great weekend
ed

mathias wrote:

Mmm .... Maybe , Maybe not , ysee some business's like to install pre-prepared images on to their PC's , like high street shops or offices etc , that way they know that all the stuff they send out is the same and any calls they get for support will all involve the same setup , the disc is usually shipped to them anyway and these will then be " spare " , but not really , as the serial numbers are used !!

Now if some enterprising young person was to find all these unopened versions of XP ( unopened but not unused !! ) and try to make a few dollars !! .....you see where this is going .........

Not that thats the case , but it could be , so be careful !!

If you want to be sure that your copy is legit , this crowd are safe as houses , not as cheap , but definitely legit ,

http://www.komplett.ie/k/ki.asp?sku=327649

eurotrotter

just on other question, wat type of a version should i get to be 100 percent safe, would a retail version fit the bill?
thanks again
ed

Ruu_Old

It is pretty close to the OEM price at a reputible store for example it is $89.99 at Newegg.com (they won't ship to Ireland, was just using for comparison). I didn't buy any hardware with it.

eurotrotter

thanks for that. i mgonna get ta copy fof this trusted site,
did u see the pricing, its cheaper to buy 2 copies of it, wats teh story with that does anyone know?!

Ruu wrote:

It is pretty close to the OEM price at a reputible store for example it is $89.99 at Newegg.com (they won't ship to Ireland, was just using for comparison). I didn't buy any hardware with it.

eurotrotter

wat about this here;

http://www.viosoftware.com/Windows+X...108b6574c4d148

is this a proper copy of xp that will install on my mac under bootcamp?

Urban Weigl

Any copy of XP or Vista will install under Boot Camp...

When buying an OEM version, the only thing to bear in mind is that you will not get technical support directly from Microsoft, that's why it's cheaper. The way many sellers make it legal is that they give you a USB key drive or a mouse with your order, thus it is being shipped with "hardware".

eurotrotter

thanks for you post.
i email ed the company there that was selling the above product int he link above he said the following:

"OEM is only for full installations. The software will format the hard drive
and remove everything before installation. Updates are different and are
available for both the OEM and retail via download. Thanks "

but i hope this formatting business isnt true!, wat ye think?
if i use bootcamp this wont happen?
ed

"

Urban Weigl wrote:

Any copy of XP or Vista will install under Boot Camp...

When buying an OEM version, the only thing to bear in mind is that you will not get technical support directly from Microsoft, that's why it's cheaper. The way many sellers make it legal is that they give you a USB key drive or a mouse with your order, thus it is being shipped with "hardware".

big_moe

if you use bootcamp, you will be grand. it creates a partition SEPERATE from the os x partition and then windows will format its own partition.

moe