Compaq 239158-999 - Mini Tower - Power Supply 250 Watt Frequently Asked Questions Manual page 3

W 98 SE
INDOWS AND
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N T R O D U C T I O N
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Microsoft recently announced upcoming changes in the distribution and support policies for Windows
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98 SE and NT Workstation 4.0. After June 30, 2002, Compaq Computer Corporation and other
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Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) of computers will no longer be licensed to ship standard
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desktop, notebook or workstation models factory preinstalled with Windows 98 SE or Windows NT
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Workstation 4.0 Microsoft OEM. Our standard Evo models will be available with Windows 2000
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Professional (through the March 31
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preinstalled. Availability of these operating systems may vary by model.
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The newer operating systems, with a wider range of capabilities to support recent advances in
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technology, are in greater demand. Compaq is making provisions to accommodate customers who still
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wish to use Windows 98 SE and NT 4.0. Customers requiring these two operating systems after the
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retirement date can take advantage of Compaq's Software Image Management Services (SIMS) fee-
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based offering. Please refer to
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more information about SIMS.
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After June 30, 2002, Microsoft will only make Windows 98 SE and NT 4.0 products available as:
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DSP (Distribution Service Provider): Also known as System Builder version
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Retail products
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Compaq will source these products from alternate channels at a higher price.
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Beginning July 01, 2002 Compaq customers can continue to purchase new systems with Windows 98
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. . SE and NT 4.0 through Compaq's SIMS offering utilizing the DSP or retail licenses, assuming the
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operating systems were qualified on, and are supported by, the required platform. The source of
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software image may be obtained from DSP, Retail, or Compaq.
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Changes in Microsoft Operating System life cycle
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. . Microsoft is moving Windows 98 SE and NT 4.0 from the "mainstream phase" into the "extended
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phase" of their operating system lifecycle on June 30, 2002. During the "extended phase" Computer
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OEMs lose their standard OEM licensing rights to preinstall these two operating systems. Please refer
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to http://www.microsoft.com/windows/lifecycle.asp
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OS Migration Recommendation
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In early 2002, Compaq will begin to discontinue the factory pre-installation of Windows 98 SE and
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NT 4.0 on new Evo commercial computers. Compaq will continue to preinstall Windows 2000,
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Windows XP Professional and Home Editions on select products after June 30, 2002.
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For business applications, Compaq and Microsoft strongly recommend upgrading to Windows XP
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Professional. Customers may also consider migrating to Windows 2000 Professional, however, based
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on the current Microsoft OS lifecycle guidelines, Windows 2000 is scheduled to enter the "extended
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phase" on March 31, 2003, therefore, OEMs will no longer be allowed to offer pre-installation of this
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operating system. Refer to
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3
NT 4.0
RETIREMENT
(cont.)
st
, 2003), Windows XP Professional or Windows XP Home
http://www.compaq.com/solutions/pcsolutions/image_mgmt.html
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/lifecycle.asp
for additional details.
for
April 2002