OEM does have a COA (cert of auth) thats what says you actualy own a copy of XP the disc doesn't matter and your better off makeing a slipstream cd anyway, what it doesn't have is a nice box and rarely does it have a booklet. sometimes it won'teven have the Media, it's just the key. from the sound of it what your friend had was pirated or he just lost the COA sticker. the guy i get these from charges... 2000 Pro - $20 XP Home - $25 XP Pro - $55 http://www.heatware.com/eval.php?id=2389 he's a great guy that i've dealt with a number of times.