TheTechGuide Forum

General Category => Software => Topic started by: Ulop S. on October 10, 2004, 04:06:52 PM

Title: Please help me out really quick.
Post by: Ulop S. on October 10, 2004, 04:06:52 PM

Hello. I have Windows XP Professional Upgrade Edition. I want to convert my upgrade edition to an OEM or Retail version (what is the difference between OEM and Retail?) so I won't need to insert a prevoius OS CD when it asks me.  I have a legit key and I want to use that key for either the OEM or Retail. And will this work w/ a slipstreamed ver. of SP2? Thx!

Here is my setupp.ini:

[Pid]
ExtraData=7677657A737273766F70F43CC136A0
Pid=55276000

Title: Please help me out really quick.
Post by: Creodus on October 11, 2004, 05:32:47 AM

OEM editions are strictly for use by system builders or for certain PC upgrades that invlove an entire internal rebuild - new mobo, cpu and mem will do it.  You cannot use the OEM version with just peripheral add-ons like buying a new keyboard.  Also Retail and upgrade legit keys often will not work with an OEM install disk.  They are quite specific on XP.  If your key is only for the Retail upgrade version - it is unlikely that you can use it for any other type of install.

Retail versions are full licences that belong to you - to be used on a single PC at a time.  If you later change your PC or upgrade etc you can re-utilise your Retail licence.  Same for Retail Upgrade licence, providing your upgrading from a legit original in the first place eg Win95, 98 or ME.  OEM licences are very specific - they are pre-installed once on a single PC and the OS dies with that PC - you cannot transfer it to another PC.  Most major PC manufacturers like Dull cannot supply you with the OEM install disk under the terms of the licencing agreement.  In other words if you are not a recognised system builder (by MS) reselling PC you shouldn't be using an OEM disk!  Any supplier that sells such disks that is not MS approved may be selling uncertified originals!  There are only 6 or 7 approved MS suppliers in the UK!  Also MS doesn't support OEM installs - the sys builder must do that.

Not sure what you mean by convert it - you will need a full Retail/OEM disk to stop the "insert previous os disk" msg coming up anyway  /blink.gif\' class=\'bbc_emoticon\' alt=\':blink:\' />  Also whatever type of disk you use, once you have activated your copy of XP with same key twice, you will be forced to phone MS for activation of Win XP everytime.

I would not slipstream SP2 yet - it is best to install separtely if not already included on your Win XP disk - I have seen install problems already with this idea - the SP2 disk is available free, so install it separately or buy an install disk with it included.

Hope that helps...

Title: Please help me out really quick.
Post by: Guest on October 21, 2004, 07:04:55 PM

Can't I convert my upgrade CD to retail? I hate that msg that says insert you previous os cd! I have the windows 2000 CD but the msg is so annoying. If I edit my setupp.ini will my upgrade cd become a retail cd that dosen't say insert cd? Any examples would be helpful. THX