Need Operating System for used computers

each disk has it's own number, which can usually be used on only one computer. If the program that's on it came on it, and doesn't suggest it could be pirated, it might be ok. I'd test it tho, if not by taking it online and doing a windows update, at least look in control panel in automatic updates to see if it is turned on, if it is on and has been running that way, is another good sign. The only way I know of to install from one disk to multiple computers is to own a valid corporate edition. Without that you might still sell them without an OS to people who have their own disk, or want to use a linux distro. They'll still sell well above scrap, but they won't sell as fast.

Yeah there are basically two kinds of Discs out there for your every day generic computer. You can get an OEM copy which will install using the CD key on the side of the Machine. The other type of Disc is the Volume License copy. Volume Licenses and for corporations which install on a bunch of machines using the same key. You can't use an OEM key when installing a volume license version and vise versa.

Now if you have a Dell computer you can use a Dell restore CD on it and reinstall the Dell OS with it. It wont even ask you for your key and its legal. I might be able to work something out with shipping a Disc to you if you dont have one. I have 2 right now so I would like to test if a burned copy will work. Never tried it. I also have a Dell Vista Business CD if your machine came with Vista. I use those CD's everytime I work on a Dell because they are easy to deal with and I dont have to worry about my customer having the discs.

Unbuntu, comes with an office clone that reads and saves documents in MS word, Excell and Powerpoint files, good accounting app gnucash, gimp photo editor which runs neck to neck with photoshop without the big bucks.

Ubuntu installs in 1/3 the time of installing any Windows OS, no OEM numbes required no reboots. And the best part no drivers to hunt down, when it comes to dial up modems make sure its hardware driven and not a soft modem. Linux does not support soft modems with out jumping through hoops.

I routinely load Ubuntu onto a hard drive using my fatest computer, yank the hard drive then install into another computer on the first boot all the drivers are found to match that PC's hardware configuration. Try that with Windows, you'll be making a telehpone call to verify your OEM number.

Originally Posted by biscuit

Unbuntu, comes with an office clone that reads and saves documents in MS word, Excell and Powerpoint files, good accounting app gnucash, gimp photo editor which runs neck to neck with photoshop without the big bucks.

Ubuntu installs in 1/3 the time of installing any Windows OS, no OEM numbes required no reboots. And the best part no drivers to hunt down, when it comes to dial up modems make sure its hardware driven and not a soft modem. Linux does not support soft modems with out jumping through hoops.

I routinely load Ubuntu onto a hard drive using my fatest computer, yank the hard drive then install into another computer on the first boot all the drivers are found to match that PC's hardware configuration. Try that with Windows, you'll be making a telehpone call to verify your OEM number.

Biscuit, I am curious: are these computers you build with Ubuntu for sale to your "average" buyer of used desktops/laptops? I have the same concern as Mike about your average Joe know being able to find their way around Linux, but maybe things are different now than they were a few years ago. On one hand, more people now know about Linux. On the other hand, those people who might be more computer savvy may not be even interested in a desktop no matter how old it is: I read today that one of the things the "Facebook" generation apparently does not buy is desktops.

Anything with Linux on it your normal buyer will not buy. By installing Linux on it you are cutting the potential customers base by a large factor. If you install Windows on an old machine anyone that would use any Linux distro would still buy it and put Linux on it themselves. It just makes sense to put Windows on the PC's and not cut your customer base down and make it harder to sell.

You cannot use any xp professional and the key from the dell computer. different install disks have different keys they are valid for. in order to use the key from the computer, you must have a dell oem install disk. there is a work around, though. I use a retail version of the install disk to do the initial setup. Microsoft has a key update utility that I use to change the key to the one on the coa after the setup is complete. one positive is you don't end up with all the dumb preloaded stuff that it came from the factory with.

When Microsoft got its feathers clipped over that anti-trust law suit the courts as part of the fine prohibited any new OS releases for the next 5 years. If it had not been for the courts MS would have killed XP off sooner instead of spending time and money to fix the bugs.

Now that the courts have been satisfied and MS once again has a free hand, Vista was released and had everyone crying in their beer, due to public outcry MS extended the life of XP.

I also hear that folks are not to pleased with Windows 7, and now with the release of Windows 8 Microsoft has publicly announced they are going to orphan XP.

Microsoft has told customers that it's time to stop using Windows XP, reminding people on its official blog that there is less than 1,000 days of support left for the ageing OS.

With an inevitable focus on migrating people and businesses to Windows 7 – its critically acclaimed latest OS – and with huge amounts of focus on its successor, Windows 8, Microsoft has made it clear that XP reliance should be drawing to a close.