Hi,

Just wondering....

I was looking around in Pantip the other day and noticed that the price for a Win XP Pro OEM version

differs quite significantly. At Data IT it costs 7,800 Baht whereas in some smaller shops they would charge only 5,300 Baht. I wonder if these cheaper versions are really genuine.

Any idea anybody?

Thanks.

crockett

Hi,

Just wondering....

I was looking around in Pantip the other day and noticed that the price for a Win XP Pro OEM version

differs quite significantly. At Data IT it costs 7,800 Baht whereas in some smaller shops they would charge only 5,300 Baht. I wonder if these cheaper versions are really genuine.

Any idea anybody?

Thanks.

crockett

Not sure mine was 100 baht but not sure if it was genuine or not.

DataIT will be genuine.

quote name='crockett' date='2006-09-21 13:37:20' post='906020']

Hi,

Just wondering....

I was looking around in Pantip the other day and noticed that the price for a Win XP Pro OEM version

differs quite significantly. At Data IT it costs 7,800 Baht whereas in some smaller shops they would charge only 5,300 Baht. I wonder if these cheaper versions are really genuine.

Any idea anybody?

Thanks.

crockett

I live upcountry so don't know about Pantip but did just order from local PC Shop and they had to order from BKK. Took 3 days to get here cost B6800 and was delivered in sealed box and not tampered with in any way.

So if the cheap ones are in a sealed box looks like this: I suspect they are OK but if tampered with or the red seal is broken suspect it has already been used or copied at least once.

quote name='dekka007' date='2006-09-21 14:35:20' post='906125']

Not sure mine was 100 baht but not sure if it was genuine or not.

DataIT will be genuine.

Thanks dekka007. I also think DataIT is ok.

So if the cheap ones are in a sealed box looks like this: I suspect they are OK but if tampered with or the red seal is broken suspect it has already been used or copied at least once.

Wash,

I did not see a boxed version like yours there, what they're selling is this...

That is the OEM version which is indeed quite a bit cheaper but only allowed to be sold together with a new computer.

Upgrading your existing operating system with this version is not possible, you will have to start from scratch.

That is the OEM version which is indeed quite a bit cheaper but only allowed to be sold together with a new computer.

Upgrading your existing operating system with this version is not possible, you will have to start from scratch.

Then this one will do. No need to upgrade, just need the CD.

Thanks Jdietz

A fresh install is probably best.

Time to get rid of all the old junk.

That is the OEM version which is indeed quite a bit cheaper but only allowed to be sold together with a new computer.

Upgrading your existing operating system with this version is not possible, you will have to start from scratch.

The original post was regarding the OEM version which is why I replied with the photo of my copy of that version.

It is perfectly legal to buy and sell the OEM version with a significant peripheral such as CP or Hard Disk and in fact does not require a new PC purchase to be legitimate.

I did go to a Microsoft Website that allows you to change the cd key and rather than reinstall or new install simply went through that process of changing the key to the key included for the OEM version and my system was completely acceptable and legalized by the site. I in fact have not inserted the new CD into my computer yet at all.

A fresh install is probably best.

Time to get rid of all the old junk.

Exactly

OEM will not let you reinstall windows over the existing version - "Windows repair installation". It's a very useful trick for older machines that are slowed down by overgrown windows.

I don't know how the system will behave with a new CD key changed to freshly bought OEM version.

Wash, if you insert your CD with Windows running, will it let you "repair Windows" if you use your new OEM key? I'm pretty sure if you insert your OEM CD you won't have that option, only new install.

OEM will not let you reinstall windows over the existing version - "Windows repair installation". It's a very useful trick for older machines that are slowed down by overgrown windows.

I don't know how the system will behave with a new CD key changed to freshly bought OEM version.

Wash, if you insert your CD with Windows running, will it let you "repair Windows" if you use your new OEM key? I'm pretty sure if you insert your OEM CD you won't have that option, only new install.

I did not try to insert the CD so do not know the answer and since the conversion of the CD Key was a process that included the Microsoft website checking the current installation files I have no reason to use the CD. The system is performing just fine and all the updates have been installed. The version that I received included SP2 so I am completely up to date with my Windows now.

I am reasonably sure the "Repair Windows" option is part of the cd release and at some point in time I will see if the CD is Bootable. Right now I have too much time invested in getting things back to almost normal to want to do anything more with Windows Install testing.