[jedihobbit]

I hate when I rush and don't read the "small print"!. Bought two copies of XP Pro SP1 from a dealer on line. Now here is the question......

The reason it was so cheap, I guess, is because on the disk it says "Student Media / Work At Home Media". SO what did I really end up with?

[thePMG]

Sounds like you bought a student edition, what they offer to college students at cheaper prices then normal.

[SpeedZone]

Hi jedihobbit,

some new project coming up soon?

Regarding your Windows XP Pro and "Student Media" label on it...i found these link:

http://www.techsupportforum.com/microsoft-support/windows-xp-support/114654-windows-xp-professional-student-media-question.html

http://forums.cnet.com/5208-6142_102-0.html?forumID=5&threadID=231190&messageID=2390868

http://helpdesk.its.uiowa.edu/support/msmedia.htm


Basically what they say (if i got that right) is that this version is 100% fully functional, exept that you wont be able to use Vista upgrade package with it. Not sure about other updates from Windows Update site, but one user said he downloaded and burned SP2 to CD and could later install/update to SP2 and all other updates after SP2. Somewhere is also mentioned that this version allows only 1 install (exept some exeptions - like buying new computer or replacing enough hardware so that Windows XP thinks you have a new system).

Other than that...it should be just as any other full version of WinXP Pro.

[jedihobbit]

Well if it only allows one install I'll be screwed as with updating all the time you know that won't be enough!

Which sounds like I'm screwed......BTW thought it is illegal to sell this commercially!?

Thanks guys!

[Methious]

I'd try slipstreaming SP3 on it, I've used Student copies when I was in college (not XP) and they installed multiple times across several upgrades.

Microsoft has been getting pickier about validating copies of XP that are reinstalled on another board. I have several legal copies from XP home to XP Pro and one Vista Ultimate.

The day they don't validate one of them I'll be looking at alternative methods of validation. IMO I was nice enough to buy it when there were alternatives, I should be able to use it when I upgrade my Mobo. They might not see it that way but I went through 3 Mobo in a year and I'll be darned if I'm going to buy XP 3 times to feed my hardware habit.

[jedihobbit]

[SpeedZone]

Not exactly sure whether 1 install (or 2 as mentioned in one of the new links i found - check below).

And it's surely questionable whether such versions could be sold commercially...because as far as i could understand...such versions are mainly available from universities and they're intended for students. It would be best if you check at the site you bought it from, whether they explicitly said that, or whether they sold it as a regular XP Pro version with discount (in that case i believe that would be illegal).

Check these 2 sites for even more info about "Student Media" versions, licences, etc...:

http://www.utexas.edu/its/products/microsoft/answers/mscacomponent.php

http://elms10.e-academy.com/utoledo/index.cfm?loc=support/sup_FAQ/sup_FAQ&parentID=17&type2ID=25


Best of luck with whatever you're gonna do with your version, and I also wish that you get that cooler from Germany ASAP, install it & OC your DreamCatcher 2.0 without any problems! And keep us up-to-date with that in your log, ok?

[jedihobbit]

[SpeedZone]

Hmm..."never buy when tired" is something to surely remember, yes...

Other than that...I dont see any real reasons why not to install this version...who cares if it allows only 1 or 2 installs...as long as you dont plan to upgrade to Vista later...you (or the buddy that you build this computer for) shouldnt have any other "problems" with it. I mean...if i was you...and wouldnt have other version lying somewhere to install...i would definitely install this one. You (or he) can always install REAL XP Pro at any later time if needed. Right?

[jedihobbit]