Looking to be sure I by the right version of XP

[rollsroyce442]

I've looked through the forums and couldn't find an answer to this so here I go. I'm trying to find the cheapest legal copy of XP to install on my imac (as much as I hate to do it) and have found a couple of sites selling legal OEM copies for around $50, the only problem is some of the say "FOR PC ONLY, NOT MAC" such as this one; http://cdsfu.com/index.php?categoryID=87 . Is that something that should worry me? I just don't want to buy something that I can't return and have wasted my money but I really don't want to pay tons of money either. Can anyone suggest maybe the cheapest way to go to just get the most basic form of windows on my mac?

Also, I have an acer laptop that is going into the trash but it only has acer disks, is there any way to move that copy of windows legally?

 

[CanadaRAM]

I have an acer laptop that is going into the trash but it only has acer disks, is there any way to move that copy of windows legally?

Probably not. That Win is almost certainly a bundle version which is tied to that machine and is prevented by the terms of the license from being installed on any other machine

You need an original Microsoft XP disk WITH Service Pack 2

I would be skeptical of the lowest price online sellers. You have only their say so that it is a proper, legal disk.

See our MR Guide on Buying Online

That linked company "Cheap Software For You" hits several warning signs. #^@% website, stupid spammer style name, no physical address or phone on the site, the domain information is stealthed, they have a laundry list of the most-pirated software titles, and the site is hosted in Myanmar, that bastion of rule of law and copyright honoring. Run away.

 

[rollsroyce442]

Thanks for the info

I really try to stay legal and also try not to get ripped off, do you have any ideas on the best way to go about it? I have some friends who work IT for some schools that have 500 licenses and only use about 120, if they agreed, would it be OK to use one of those copies? If not, what is the cheapest I could expect to pay from a legit co? Also, when I'm looking, is OEM ok?

 

[CanadaRAM]

I really try to stay legal and also try not to get ripped off, do you have any ideas on the best way to go about it? I have some friends who work IT for some schools that have 500 licenses and only use about 120, if they agreed, would it be OK to use one of those copies? If not, what is the cheapest I could expect to pay from a legit co? Also, when I'm looking, is OEM ok?

No, it's not OK to use an institution's site license if you are not a qualifying user. The terms are usually very specific that the product is to be used only inside the institution, or only by students.

Just pony up the cash and get a real license from a reputable local retailer, or NewEgg or Fry's. Usually if you go to a computer shop locally, they are willing to sell you an OEM version (which will still come with the Microsoft hologram and Certificate of Authenticity). You may have to buy a mouse, RAM or some other piece of hardware to qualify as an OEM purchase.

 

[SnowLeopard2008]

Some electronics stores like Best Buys, Fry's Electronics, Circuit City, etc. still have full retail copies of XP, not the upgrade version. Just ignore the eBay listings saying not for mac, since they don't know about Boot Camp. They just assume people either have a mac or a pc. So, in the general sense, xp/vista is not for mac. It should cost around $100 for a fully legitimate copy. OEM also works....

 

[The Flashing Fi]

You can get XP home for a few pennies under 90 bucks before tax (and I think on Newegg, shipping for XP Home OEM is free).

 

[ScottC2105]

Keep in mind buying an OEM copy is technically breaking the T&C for Microsoft OEM software as according to that you have to buy a piece of non-removable essential hardware such as a motherboard or harddrive. It will still be a fully featured "legal" copy though.

XP and Vista OEMs are around the same price here in the UK. I am sure they are cheaper in the US though.

Try to get XP with SP2, upgrade to Boot Camp 2.1 then install SP3. Some users have had problems installing XP with SP3 included so it would be the safest option in my opinion.