Confused about a version of XP Operating System.

I recently purchase an almost new Dell PC without a Hard Drive ( Dell dimension E510 With a Windows XP Media Center Edition System, of course with no system at all in the computer cause it doesnt have a Hard Drive) and decided to buy the hard drive and a new operating system but... the problem here is that i can not find a retail copy of this particular version, all i could find is the OEM version, so.... my cuestions here are these.

as far as i know, the OEM version of this XP System is only good for one use and can not be use again on any other computer. well... it makes sense but... can i re-use that same CD on the same computer in case of a crash? how about creating a Recovery CD with the original CD? or... am i gonna be able to use the system recovery or system restore if there's one instaled with this OEM version? how about creating a slipstream with sp2? can that be done? to make this shorter... i just dont want to buy something that i will end up using just once, you know?

and i would also like to know... if i install Windows XP Home Edition instead of the Media Center. would that work?
am i gonna have any problems in the future if i do that?


I've heard of an Operating system called: OBUNTU. if i use that one will every program work fine in that operating system?

im sorry if i ask too much but i just want to make the right desicion and dont regretted later. =)

if any could help me with these, i would really apreciate that and thank you for ever!

thank you all in advance.

=)

 

Hi and welcome to the BBS,

From my understanding, an OEM version of Windows is tied to the machine you install it on. You cannot install it on another computer, and after you change a certain amount of hardware on it, it is considered to be a different computer. You can reinstall Windows as many times as you like, as long as it is on that original computer.

After you run the installation (or reinstall), you will need to do Activation. It is best to use the 30 day period before you need to activate so that you can make certain everything is stable.

From what I know, the Media Center version of Win XP just makes it easy to install, set-up and run Media controllers like High Definition television, audio and DVD playback. You can set those up yourself manually without Media Center.

You may want to look at manuals available at Dell for your model. Check if all the hardware is installed in the machine. (Did you get a remote control?). Are the drivers for the hardware available?

Matt

 

Hey matt, thanks a lot for the reply to my post. now that you mention it... the computer came with no remote control and im not planing on getting one either. and since there is no hard drive in it, the drivers are also missing. although i can download those from the Dell page, the manuals i did find and i will be checking those later on. and the hardware i think is also there in the machine. now... going back to the fact that there is no control remote, thats exactly the reazon why i wanted to installed a full retail copy of Windows Xp Home Edition instead of a copy of the Media Center. im guessing it wont hurt anything, even if the pc was build to be originally a Media Center. am i making sense here? i hope so. =)

i have already find two stores to get the XP home Edition (Full Retail) and the Media Center (OEM Version) for a decent price. now the only thing left is to make up my mind about which one to get. any final sugestions about it?

 

Thank you so much matt n steve. i think i have made up my mind and would go for the media center. i mean... is not like im gonna be using this computer for anything other than school proyects and gaming so... thanks a bunch you guys.
you both have a great day!
=)

 

I was thinking today, you might want to get a quote on replacing the original disks from Dell.

Anyway, good luck with it.

Matt