which version of XPpro 32 should I buy?

[Molecule]

I'm thinking of buying a copy of XPpro before it's pulled from the shelves when Vista comes out (like MS did with 2k when XP came out ... )

I have no clue as to which version to buy? (I prefer to build my own machine when I need one, and am happy with w98se for the moment, but my sense is that the horizon is approaching when mobo and video chipsets for 98 will be getting scarcer.)

I like being legal and sleeping at night, but don't like, in fact cringe at, the idea of having to phone home to Bill to use my computer. If I can re-install XPpro OEM legally without all the commotion, it sounds like that might be better suited to my needs than the Retail version.

As I understand it, with Retail version, I can change a mobo, video care, HDD etc, as long as I pull XP off the old HDD --- is that also true with the OEM EULA if my mobo or video card dies?

thanks for any advice ... (also, do Retail and OEM versions dual boot the same, with 98se and/or ubuntu?)

My question is provoked from the following from a recent thread

Make sure you have a Corporate Media...

This should take care of the rest:

winnt.sif

[GuiUnattended]
	OemSkipWelcome=1

What is "Corporate Media?" ... is that OEM?

[cluberti]

First, you can dual-boot an OEM copy of Windows with Ubuntu (or any other OS), and as long as you install the other OS after installing XP you shouldn't run into any problems - it can work the other way 'round too, but sometimes XP has a habit of wiping the MBR and not recognizing the other OS, so it's safer to do XP first, other OS second.

Second, like it or not, Windows requires WGA to function for the most part, and WGA does check the validty of your license hen installing Windows Updates (or the IE7 upgrade). It also checks with Microsoft periodically to verify that your copy of Windows is legitimate outside of the Windows Update process as well, but it's a necessary evil for Windows users going forward (it'll be in all Microsoft software going forward), and there's no legal way around it.

Third, OEM keys are handled differently than retail keys by Microsoft's licensing servers, and a recent change was supposed to require all OEM copies to not be allowed to reactivate without contacting Microsoft customer service - however some people have reactivated OEM copies online after this change without having to contact Microsoft. You can still reactivate without issue if you have to contact Microsoft, but your experience will likely vary here on whether or not reactivation will work online after the first build.

Last, corporate media refers to Volume License media, or media from the VLK. If you've got an Enterprise or Select agreement with Microsoft, you usually get VLK media for installation in your organization with special VLK keys. This is different from retail or OEM copies of XP (and there are two different versions of OEM even - retail OEM and manufacturer OEM). This really doesn't mean anything to you, as an individual you're only going to find retail and retail OEM for purchase from stores (online or off), or get a manufacturer's OEM copy with a new PC.