Compaq 239158-999 - Mini Tower - Power Supply 250 Watt Frequently Asked Questions Manual page 6

W 98 SE
INDOWS AND
. .
. .
. .
.
. .
6. How does the Windows XP Pro downgrade right benefit me?
. .
. .
The Windows XP Professional EULA provides a high degree of flexibility. By purchasing
. .
systems with Windows XP Professional preinstalled, you can continue to deploy your
. .
. .
custom 98 SE/NT 4.0/2000 images and install Windows XP Professional at a later date and
. .
at no additional charge.
. .
. .
. . 7. I've just migrated to Windows 2000 Professional and don't intend to upgrade my OS
. .
for at least 12 months. Why should I buy Windows XP Professional preinstalled?
. .
. .
Based on Microsoft's current OS Lifecycle Guidelines, Windows 2000 Professional will
. .
. .
only be offered preinstalled by PC vendors through March 2003. If you intend to use
. .
Windows 2000 Professional through 2003, you can purchase Windows XP Professional and
. .
. .
downgrade. At a later time, you may reinstall Windows XP Professional on the hard drive at
. .
no additional charge.
. .
. .
. . 8. Will all new Evo notebook, desktop and workstation models support Windows 98 SE
. .
and Windows NT Workstation 4.0?
. .
. .
No, only select models will provide this support. Please consult the QuickSpecs for model-
. .
. .
specific information.
. .
. .
Compaq will continue to support its customers throughout this transition. However, as new
. .
. .
hardware technologies are introduced, it is important to remember that older operating
. .
systems may not be able to support the new technology. Many third-party sub-system
. .
. . vendors will discontinue the development of Windows 98 SE and NT 4.0 drivers in the
. .
future. For Compaq to provide the best computing environment, we must encourage our
. .
. .
customers to migrate to newer operating system environments such as Windows 2000 or XP
. .
Professional.
. .
. .
. .
Provision for Customer Exceptions
. .
. .
. . 9. I have standardized on Windows 98 SE/NT 4.0 for all client-base systems. How will the
. .
transition to Windows XP Professional affect my new purchases after July 1, 2002?
. .
. .
If you have a Volume Licensing agreement with Microsoft, Compaq can, for an additional
. .
. .
fee, continue to preinstall Windows 98 SE/NT 4.0 as part of our SIMS offering on select
. .
products.
. .
. .
. .
10. What if I do not have a Volume Licensing agreement with Microsoft?
. .
. .
Compaq may offer the Distribution Service Provider (DSP) license to customers and
. .
preinstall Windows 98 SE/NT 4.0 operating systems as part of our SIMS offering on
. .
. .
supported platforms (OS tested by division engineering).
. .
. .
11. How much more should I expect to pay for DSP?
. .
. .
DSP is more expensive than the current pricing. It is typically 10% less than the retail price.
. .
. .
Compaq does its best to provide customers the most cost-effective price for products and
. .
services. Exact pricing is also dependent on the complexity of the image as described above.
. .
. .
. . 12. How long will DSP be available?
. .
. .
Generally, DSP is available for one year after end of life of each operating system.
. .
. .
. .
. .
. .
. .
. .
. .
. .
6
NT 4.0
RETIREMENT
(cont.)
April 2002