What is the difference between the OEM & the Microsoft version of Win XP Pro ???

Bubey

I bought my laptop with XP sp2 Media Edition installed by the mfg.
When I had a problem I tried to correct it with SFC and was asked
to put in my Win disk which I did. Then I got an error back saying
it was the wrong disk. I went to check my version and the System
Information page says I have "MS Win XP Pro 5.1.2600 Service
Pack 2 Build 2600 by Microsoft Corporation". I have called the
mfg and they said that's not what was installed on what they sent.
I also sent them a print out of what the system says, but they still
say that's not what I have per their records. Won't be buying
from Dell again.

Can it be possible that the system would give me the incorrect
information?

So if I can't prove my point I will have to buy a new copy of Win XP.
What is the difference between an OEM version and Microsoft's
version, besides price ?

Thank in advance for the help.

Richard in AZ

Where you trying to correct it with the Dell supplied disk, or with one you
bought at a store?
Dell installs OEM software, modified to work only with Dell motherboard.
A MS copy would not have the Dell OEM modifications and conflict with what
is installed.

"Bubey" <> wrote in message
news:.gbl...
>I bought my laptop with XP sp2 Media Edition installed by the mfg.
> When I had a problem I tried to correct it with SFC and was asked
> to put in my Win disk which I did. Then I got an error back saying
> it was the wrong disk. I went to check my version and the System
> Information page says I have "MS Win XP Pro 5.1.2600 Service
> Pack 2 Build 2600 by Microsoft Corporation". I have called the
> mfg and they said that's not what was installed on what they sent.
> I also sent them a print out of what the system says, but they still
> say that's not what I have per their records. Won't be buying
> from Dell again.
>
> Can it be possible that the system would give me the incorrect
> information?
>
> So if I can't prove my point I will have to buy a new copy of Win XP.
> What is the difference between an OEM version and Microsoft's
> version, besides price ?
>
> Thank in advance for the help.

Daave

"Bubey" <> wrote in message
news:.gbl...
>I bought my laptop with XP sp2 Media Edition installed by the mfg.

What is the model and model number of this laptop?

> When I had a problem I tried to correct it with SFC and was asked
> to put in my Win disk which I did.

Please describe this "Win disk" in as much detail as possible. Where and
when did you get it?

> Then I got an error back saying it was the wrong disk.

What was the exact error message?

> I went to check my version and the System
> Information page says I have "MS Win XP Pro 5.1.2600 Service
> Pack 2 Build 2600 by Microsoft Corporation".

There is your problem. Your laptop originally came with XP Media Center
Edition. That is what your original license is for. Somehow and by
someone, this was changed to XP Pro.

You need to provide more information! What is the history of this
laptop? Did you buy it new or second-hand? Did you purchase an
installation disk for XP Pro at some point and install it on the laptop?

> I have called the mfg and they said that's not what was installed
> on what they sent.

Yes, this is correct. Even you yourself stated earlier in your post that
"I bought my laptop with XP sp2 Media Edition installed by the mfg."

> I also sent them a print out of what the system says, but they still
> say that's not what I have per their records.

That sounds right. Their records state that the laptop originally had XP
MCE on it, and now it has XP Pro on it.

> Won't be buying from Dell again.

I'm not sure why; I fail to see that they did anything wrong.

What method did Dell provide you to reinstall the operating system?
There are three possibilities:

a. Installation CD (Dell calls these "Reinstallation CD"s): this allows
you to perform a clean install of XP. However, if this is the method,
you will need to track down and install the drivers (motherboard
chipset, video/graphics card, network card, printer, etc.) on your own.
This is done by either using disks you already have or by visiting the
manufacturers' Web sites and downloading the drivers directly.

b. Recovery or Restore CD: this allows you to return your PC to the
status when it was fresh from the factory. Drivers are included.
However, so are potentially unwanted trial programs.

c. Recovery or Restore method using a hidden partition on your hard
drive (usually accessed by pressing one of the "F" keys as you are
booting up): similar to "b", but there is no CD. And if your hard drive
is shot, this method will no longer work!

> Can it be possible that the system would give me the incorrect
> information?

I doubt it.

> So if I can't prove my point I will have to buy a new copy of Win XP.

I'm not sure I see your point. And you certainly don't need to purchase
a new copy of XP! It seems you may already have two copies!

> What is the difference between an OEM version and Microsoft's
> version, besides price ?

If you mean what is the difference between OEM and Retail, the OEM
license is tied to the original PC it is installed on; it can never be
transferred. The Retail license is not limited in this way; if you
purchase a new PC, you are entitiled to remove XP from the old one and
install it on the new one. This is one of the reasons it costs more.