Microsoft Windows XP Professional Service Pack 3, 32-bit for System Builders - 1 Pack Old Version

by Microsoft

Product Features

• Windows XP Professional operating system is the best choice for businesses of all sizes
• Windows XP Service Pack 3 (SP3) includes all previously released updates for the operating system
• Requires the use of Windows XP Pro SP3 Preinstallation Kit (not included)

Product Details

• Shipping Weight: 2.4 ounces
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S. and to APO/FPO addresses. For APO/FPO shipments, please check with the manufacturer regarding warranty and support issues.
• ASIN: B0018RCAD4
• Item model number: E85-05683
• Date first available at Amazon.com: May 8, 2008
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (63 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,696 in Software (See Top 100 in Software)
  • #4 in Software > Operating Systems > Microsoft Windows > Windows XP > Windows XP Professional Edition
• Discontinued by manufacturer: Yes

Product Description

Microsoft Windows XP Professional Edition sets the standard in efficient, dependable computing. Whether you want to share a file, printer or internet connection with co-workers, or configure a wireless network for your office, Windows XP Professional provides the technology foundation to help you grow your business.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

62 of 63 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Perfect low cost Windows license for Mac installation, February 7, 2009

By 

aussie (Colorado) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Microsoft Windows XP Professional Service Pack 3, 32-bit for System Builders - 1 Pack Old Version (Software)

This pack works great for installing Windows on a Mac. Although the product description says you need it, the Windows Preinstallation Kit (which is not included) is NOT actually required to install the product. It installs fine without it.

109 of 116 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Drivers missing, November 26, 2008

By 

Gary Keene "Eclectic Reader" (Carlsbad, CA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Microsoft Windows XP Professional Service Pack 3, 32-bit for System Builders - 1 Pack Old Version (Software)

Warning: This product is less expensive than the standard Microsoft XP installation discs because you will NOT be eligible to receive technical assistance direct from Microsoft, and you will NOT be able to "move" the OS to a new computer. New computer means new motherboard: be aware that if you replace only the motherboard, that IS a "new" computer in the eyes of Microsoft. From personal experience: my Gateway motherboard failed after 3 years, so I replaced it with a generic non-Gateway board. Although the old computer with the new motherboard booted up properly using the hard disc with the OEM XP operating system, I did get a warning that the OS was not authenticated, and would go into reduced functionality in a few days. When I called Microsoft to re-register the OS, they refused and pointed me back to Gateway. Since the computer now had a non-Gateway motherboard in it, that was not an option. I was also not allowed to purchase a new authentication code from Microsoft nor Gateway. I either had to purchase an indentical 3-year old Gateway motherboard replacement, or a new copy of XP to register with the new motherboard. I chose the latter.

Having said all that, if you deal with a large number of computers like I do, the cost-savings of buying the OEM version are significant, even if you sometimes have to re-purchase the software for a machine that undergoes changes significant enough to trigger the "non-authenticated" landmine.

I've used OEM XP to successfully replace Vista on several dozen computers, both laptop and desktop, brand names Dell, Toshiba and HP. Why? I have multiple legacy devices and software in my office: printers, scanners, hardware and software repair tools, disk burners, network attached storage and so on, none of which have Vista drivers released by their manufacturers. I also find websites such as Webex being unreliable under Vista IE7. It's cheaper for me to replace Vista with XP than it is to replace all existing hardware and software.

Using this OEM disk does provide a reliable installation of the basic XP operating system. But on those computers which come from the manufacturer with Vista installed you will be missing the XP compatible drivers for various internal subsystems such as sound card, modem, network cards, USB hub and so on. Sometimes, but not always, the computer OEM website support page will provide downloads of the drivers you need. You will have a better chance of finding the XP drivers if the manufacturer provided the computer model in question preloaded with your choice of either XP or Vista OS. If necessary, call the manufacturer to find out if they provide drivers for an XP version of your computer. I found that the initial installation of XP on a previously Vista computer left several subsystems inoperative, but going into the Control Panel>System>Device Manager to delete the non-functional subsystems, followed by reinstalling them using the Add Hardware function and allowing the system to go online to find drivers was successful. I may have been very lucky. Note, if the nonfunctional subsystem breaks your internet connection, you are out of luck!!

If the problems and solutions I've described are mysterious to you, DO NOT buy this product. And the full price version won't be any better for you.

This OEM version of XP is cheaper because you give up Microsoft support and you cannot move it to a new motherboard. Otherwise, this is exactly the same software as you find in the full price version. The full price version WILL NOT have any more XP drivers for your subsystems than does the OEM version. If you are a system builder, you will have received XP drivers with each of the subsystem devices.

You can, as I did, take a chance and install XP on computers that were originally Vista driven. I was lucky in being able to find XP drivers for each of the devices in my computers, after the conversion. When and if I do this again, I will try to secure the XP drivers BEFORE I blow away the Vista. Before removing Vista, use a good system configuration toll such as Belarc Advisor to get a good description of what hardware is in your system, and use that as a guide to finding the XP drivers you will need.

Make sure you have a Vista install disk for your specific computer BEFORE you remove Vista, in case you are unable to make the XP work.

I recently bought a new computer with Windows 7 Professional installed. I hoped the XP emulation mode might allow this computer to integrate with the existing legacy equipment and software more easily, but ultimately the implementation feels clumsy and has failed on some legacy programs, so it's very likely to be "downgraded" to XP.

Good luck!

35 of 35 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Works as stated., April 3, 2009

By 

E. Lum (Honolulu, HI) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Microsoft Windows XP Professional Service Pack 3, 32-bit for System Builders - 1 Pack Old Version (Software)

Using it on my MacBook Pro (2.5 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo), running Mac OS X, 10.5.6. Works with both Parallels and VMWare. It is only meant to install on one computer, and not to be ever transferred onto another computer.