Windows--98, 2000, ME, XP???

[MossRoad]

There might be some hardware compatability issues with XP. You should check that out before you upgrade. For instance, my scanner manufacturer does not intend to make XP drivers form my little Scanrom( a 4x6 photo scanner) ever! Fortunately I have a PC running Win95 that has become my legacy machine to run older applications and hardware. I also have an old CD burner that will only work on 95. Be sure to check first/w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif. As for XP itself, I have been running the Professional version for several months and it has been rock solid so far.

As for the licensing issues. I believe that you have to register XP home version.

<font color=green> MossRoad </font color=green>

 

[jhburke]

I have both a desk top pc and a laptop. I upgraded from 98 to ME on my desk top and then bought a laptop with ME. After getting the laptop a few days later my desk top crashed. My computer guy and several others told me I shouldn't have upgraded to ME as the upgrade caused crashes. They said to only use full version and reformat before installing. I went to the 2000 on the desk top. With my experiences I would have rather stayed with 98. My 2 cents. JIM

 

[Bird]

Well, I ordered it this morning; offer good until the end of the year. Total cost $21.55, so we'll see.

MossRoad, there shouldn't be any compatibility problems, because the offer said it would be shipped "after it has been made available to Dell by Microsoft AND after Dell has tested and validated the Upgrade on the applicable Dell systems." My entire system came from Dell (although the printer is Hewlett-Packard, it was included), and to get this special offer, I had to provide customer number, order number, service tag number, Product Key Number, etc. so they should know exactly what it's supposed to work on./w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif Of course, I know that's no guarantee with these contraptions though./w3tcompact/icons/frown.gif

 

[TerryinMD]

Yes,

you must register all of the XP products!!

I've been thinking about this thread and a couple of others for that matter in relation to product registration. I believe you will see this happening more and more as time goes by. The idea of tying an operating system or piece of application software to a particular machine is nothing new. I had to register some 3rd party software based upon machine id twenty years ago. If you transferred the software and theorically the license to another machine, you HAD to call the vendor to get a new license ID. Many Unix applications to the same thing.

So I guess what I'm trying to say is that go ol' Microsoft wants to protect their intellectual property and account for their licensing. From a business perspective, all they want to do is get a return on their investment. Another thing that they're trying to prevent is software pirating from offshore operations. It's a big business which really affects the price of software produced here. Don't have any figures, but I bet there big!!

Just some brain wanderings.....

Terry

 

[MikePA]

Microsoft does track it too. A friend of mine received OfficeXP on a new laptop which he dutifully registered since he planned on using it longer than 30 days /w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif. Thinking he was allowed to install it on his desktop at home he did so. When he called in to register they politely told him that this copy of OfficeXP was already registered.

Some mainframe vendors were worse than others. Some software would run and just produce a warning message. Other software would stop working completely which wasn't fun when it was a scheduling package. If PC software vendors completely mimic the mainframe model, they will begin charging based upon how fast your PC is.

 

[TerryinMD]

A story...

My wife got a copy of Office XP. Just like Windows XP, you need to register the software. You install the software on my wifes PC and registered online. Office XP is registered (tied) to that particular PC. So, I tried an experiment. I then installed it on my PC (the one with all of the goodies, games, and other experimental software - the guinea pig PC). So when it came to registering it online, I got a message saying that they software was installed on another PC and to please call a friendly Microsoft support person.

Sure what the heck.... dialed the 800 number, got Joe Blow support person, and told him my story of woe. /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif I said that the first machine was an older slower machine and the new one was faster and we chose to install Office XP on it. He asked if I had uninstalled Office XP from the slower machine and, well, of course I did. He gave me the new key and we were off and running. /w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif/w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif Total time for installation and activation - 30 minutes on a Saturday.

So, what's the problem....

Terry

 

[Bird]

I've always been in the habit of registering all my software so that maybe I would get notified of any upgrades, changes, etc. However, when I bought this new computer, it came with the new version of Microsoft Works. When I was setting things up, I failed to register it the first time it popped on the screen, so now I can't register it. I've looked at their web site and everything I've found says No Way!

 

[MikePA]

<font color=blue>So, what's the problem....</font color=blue>

You tell me when the black helicopters swoop in and confiscate all your PCs. See the blinking taillights on the TC25D in my sig? Do not adjust your television. /w3tcompact/icons/shocked.gif/w3tcompact/icons/blush.gif/w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif/w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif

 

[glennmac]

Don't have to register M$ Office on Macs.

 

[TerryinMD]

Bird,

I would image that you should still be able to register it. If it came preinstalled, call up the dealer and ask how to reinstall and register the software. You should then be able to register the software.

As far as support goes with Microsoft, all you need to do for any of the there upgrades is to activate the Windows Update utility. It can be configured to automatically search their update site and automatically upgrade your Microsoft software.

Personally, I prefer using the automated update features of any software I install. This way I can ensure that my system has the latest updates - especially anything to do with security. One cannot be too careful.

Terry