>OK, Foxperts,
>
>Let's say I've decided (on the basis of the new EULA and the costs involved), to be a good citizen and purchase MSDN (April 2003) to get VFP8 and the whole ball of wax.
Cool Randy - here's a good place to get it:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=1251&item=3403420007

>Now, later this year I'm buying new hardware (Dell, Gateway, whomever..) and I tell the sales rep "I already own a license for WinXP Pro".
If it is a phone rep, they will laugh at you loudly.
If it is a branded store - the rep will look at you in disbelief.
Basically the O/S for a name brand box has already been 'bundled' into the price and was installed way up the line, way previous to you making the phone call or pointing and exclaiming, "YES - I WANT THAT ONE" at the store.

You might be able to swap out one O/S for another at some upgrade or downgrade price - but it will be the platter from the seller, and YOUR platter with YOUR license for MS O/S won't be taken into consideration at all at the 'sales time'.

>Will they sell me a system (for less $) with a blank hard drive?
>Anyone have experinece with this?
NO - with ONE caveat -
IF you buy a clone from a clone shop [Walmart doesn't count] then their price for their O/S pick o the day will be excluded IF U ASK .

hth - mondo regards [Bill]