OES XP vs. ‘off-the-shelf’ from Microsoft (Home Edition)

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People,

Windows XP (Home), which came loaded on my new Dell, has always performed screwy (even after a total uninstall/drive reformatting/reinstall.)

Device drivers cause audio apps (& the OS itself) to crash . . . Windows Explorer shuts down unexpectedly . . . numerous other untold minor problems.

The worst thing of all is, “System Restore” has never worked . . . never. Dell doesn’t even know the answer to that one.

I have heard that OS’s, particularly XP, which are packaged as a partnership deal with various PC mfg.’s (which I’ve heard referred to as OEM Operating Systems), work crappy.

Is this true?

Are the System Files set up differently? Are they screwed up because they’re not of a pure Microsoft OS release? Or, is there no difference in the way they’re structured at all.

As a PC audiophile (I do a lot of work with digital audio multutracking/recording apps . . . SONAR, WaveLab, etc.), am I better off with an off-the-shelf version of XP?

Thanks,

mark4man

BTW – If so, what should I be looking for on the box? (i.e., latest release, etc.) Thanks again.

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This really depends on the particular OEM. It is their responsibility to put together a package of Operating System, drivers, utilities and whatever else they think will “add value” to their package. Some do it better than others. One area where there is a lot of variability is in the quality and effectiveness of the restore CDs.

StuartR

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This really depends on the particular OEM. It is their responsibility to put together a package of Operating System, drivers, utilities and whatever else they think will “add value” to their package. Some do it better than others. One area where there is a lot of variability is in the quality and effectiveness of the restore CDs.

StuartR

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I don’t think you can make general statements about OEM packaging. I bought a Dell PC with Windows XP Home in January of this year, and it has worked flawlessly all the time. Also, although I admit I am no expert on this, I don’t think that the Windows XP pre-installed on your PC is essentially different from the version you can buy in a store. So I fear that it’s a case of a screwy PC, not of an inherently screwy setup. Not that that helps you, of course. It is extremely annoying, and I hope that someone else will be able to give useful advice.

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I don’t think you can make general statements about OEM packaging. I bought a Dell PC with Windows XP Home in January of this year, and it has worked flawlessly all the time. Also, although I admit I am no expert on this, I don’t think that the Windows XP pre-installed on your PC is essentially different from the version you can buy in a store. So I fear that it’s a case of a screwy PC, not of an inherently screwy setup. Not that that helps you, of course. It is extremely annoying, and I hope that someone else will be able to give useful advice.

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I 3rd Hans and CBD. But I wouldn’t buy Office or Windows XP OEM–the price difference if you check them out is not all that much. I can’t count the tales of problems booting from a BSOD with some of the recovery CD’s that aren’t the regular CD for the OS–and with a box you have support from MS which is in general a quantum leap above the support I’ve seen from the OEM’s if they even attempt to solve software problems. With a large problem MS will tend to stick with it and do a pretty good job. The OEM’s well…good luck. That’s why you have the Lounge.

SMBP

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I 3rd Hans and CBD. But I wouldn’t buy Office or Windows XP OEM–the price difference if you check them out is not all that much. I can’t count the tales of problems booting from a BSOD with some of the recovery CD’s that aren’t the regular CD for the OS–and with a box you have support from MS which is in general a quantum leap above the support I’ve seen from the OEM’s if they even attempt to solve software problems. With a large problem MS will tend to stick with it and do a pretty good job. The OEM’s well…good luck. That’s why you have the Lounge.

SMBP

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Thanks all,

I guess I should have realized there was not much difference, if any . . . but was half-way hoping it might be a factor in causing my problem (DA multitracking app & OS crashes.)

I was intending on replacing my primary drive; & loading a boxed version of XP, but I guess I’ll only go this route now if I can’t get System Restore to work any other way (not so sure I like the Microsoft Registry fix.)

Thanks again,

mark4man

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Thanks all,

I guess I should have realized there was not much difference, if any . . . but was half-way hoping it might be a factor in causing my problem (DA multitracking app & OS crashes.)

I was intending on replacing my primary drive; & loading a boxed version of XP, but I guess I’ll only go this route now if I can’t get System Restore to work any other way (not so sure I like the Microsoft Registry fix.)

Thanks again,

mark4man

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Here’s a faster way to try to fix System Restore–I find a number of people say also they don’t have a restore point because they think it’s ghosted and all they have to do is go back another month.

Go to Kelly’s Tweaks Line 289 Column Right and use her 2 click reg hack.

SMBP

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Here’s a faster way to try to fix System Restore–I find a number of people say also they don’t have a restore point because they think it’s ghosted and all they have to do is go back another month.

Go to Kelly’s Tweaks Line 289 Column Right and use her 2 click reg hack.

SMBP

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