Source for Windows XP question

[rak306]

I'm putting together my own PC, and I want a source to buy Windows XP home edition. Every place I look they sell the upgrade version which requires a prior version of windows on the machine.

While I have Windows 98se, and I'm retiring the computer its running on (200 MHz P2), the motherboard I bought says it does not support Windows 98se, so I can't start by loading 98se and then upgrading.

Suggestions on where to get a low cost version of XP home edition would be appreciated.

Thanks in advance

Rick

[stanger89]

Try newegg, just get an OEM version of XP Pro, it will be cheaper than a retail version of XP Home.

[fidget]

Originally posted by stanger89
Try newegg, just get an OEM version of XP Pro, it will be cheaper than a retail version of XP Home.

The OEM version must be purchased with hardware. Since you will probably need a larger HDD anyway (hint, hint), purcahse the OEM version of XP Home along with the new drive.

[rak306]

I already purchased everything from newegg including an 80 Gig HD. I think XP pro was close to $160 from newegg, but I can no longer find it on their web site. It would seem to me I should be able to get XP home for closer to $100.

Since I only have $350 in the computer so far (very minimal setup to do SageTV client only), I really don't want to spend another $160 on windows.

Rick

[rak306]

Another thing, the retail upgrade version of XP home upgrade is $99. Since I am killing a (admittedly worthless) machine with 98se on it, in theory I can move 98se to the new machine and have a legal copy of 98se on the new machine, from which I could upgrade to XP home.

The problem comes in that my new motherboard (unknown to me when I ordered it), does not support 98se. Now I would guess there is a way to fool XP home upgrade into loading, like copy some 98se files to the hard drive, so that it thinks it is loading over 98se, but that has its own set of issues.

Rick

[Grasshopper]

You can get the full OEM version of XP Home for as low as $75 -- check www.pricewatch.com for vendors. This software 'must be sold with hardware' to be legally sold, but many vendors will sell you a cable for a couple of bucks. Supposedly, that qualifies as hardware.

If you already have access to a CD of XP Home, you can just get a COA (new serial number, no CD or manual) for $57.

[rak306]

Grasshopper wrote

"If you already have access to a CD of XP Home, you can just get a COA (new serial number, no CD or manual) for $57. "

From who?

Rick

[Grasshopper]

Go to www.pricewatch.com, select Software, click on XP Home. Scroll down through the $5 System Builder CD's. Cheapest right now seems to be www.nt-micro.com, at $56.90 shipped, but that could change by the time you read this. Direct link: http://www.nt-micro.com/ntik/details...m=winxphomeCOA

[gplasky]

Have you tried running the upgrade on your new motherboard? I thought the upgrade also allows you to insert your original 98 CD for confirmation of the upgrade.

Gerry

[mpcrider]

It's a pretty open secret that MS discounts products they sell through "educational" channels. So most college bookstores or Coops are good sources for cheap OSes and Offices. Check your local prices, of course. If they give you any hassle it's pretty easy to find a student to buy your copy for you.

[Crowdx42]

Yes, as long as you have a Win98 Cd you can install the upgrade. All the upgrade requires is the cd OR the cd key. Most people using the upgrade version do not upgrade the previous operating system cause that makes for a messy install.
ALSO the Board not supporting Win98 means that you would not be able to have driver support, Win98 should still install to a desktop but all you hardware on the board will be unknown to Win98.
Best route is format the drive, boot from XP cd, give it the cd or serial from yuor previous version of windows and continue your install.
Patrick

[DFranch]

gplasky is right. Win 98 never has to be installed. You just need to have the CD available for verification during the installation of Win XP.