Killing my laptop but dont have windows

-TangleFoot-

jgallcash wrote: »

Does that sound ok?

It'd be quicker and easier to install something like Ubuntu, but provided you can bag a genuine Windows disc you'll be fine.

deejayen

Find the version by going to "Start > Run -- type in "Winver" [without quotes] and it gives you the details -- dave

Lum

That doesn't tell you about the retail vs OEM thing though. Best way to know that is the sticker on the PC, if it says "OEM software" then, well, it's an OEM version.

As for home or pro. it should say on the login screen, on the start menu and/or right click on my computer and choose properties.

jgallcash

-TangleFoot- wrote: »

It'd be quicker and easier to install something like Ubuntu.

I'm wary of this as i'm not sure that someone buying off ebay would feel confident in purchasing a used laptop with an OS they perhaps haven't heard of.

As stated i do have the full genuine product key for windows. can someone confirm that i will be able to download a copy of XP from the web and install as long as I have the genuine product key?

Percy1983

All you need to know is if is home or prof with that the label probably says.

I do have both discs and am willing to send a copy of one to you for the price of a CD-R + Postage if you can't get one.

jgallcash

Thanks for that offer Percy. I'll check out which one is applicable and PM you tonight.

The wonder of this board never ceases to amaze me!

-TangleFoot-

jgallcash wrote: »

i'm not sure that someone buying off ebay would feel confident in purchasing a used laptop with an OS they perhaps haven't heard of.

Many purchasers of the Acer Aspire ONE wouldn't have heard of Linpus Lite either, yet they sold like hot cakes. As much as it pains me to say it most users neither know nor care what operating system they have so long as they can carry on doing the things that they do.

jgallcash

-TangleFoot- wrote: »

If you look closely at the COA sticker, it'll tell you. Alternatively, you can press [WinKey]+[Pause/Break] on your keyboard.

I have looked at both of these. the sticker with the product key confirms it is xp home edition. however when checking on the laptop via some of the options outlined above it clearly states that its xp pro version. What the F%^k?

I put it in a repair shop last year as the HD went. they replaced the hard drive and i'm presuming reinstalled a version of xp pro.

I have racked my brains and this is the only way i think it could have happened. this was approximately 1 year ago. If i get a copy of the home edition software, do you think my product key will still work, given that they have not been active for approx 1 year?

Thanks again for all of your helpful feedback and sorry to drag this out. i didn't forsee this amount of problems.

Lum

Congratulations you're running a pirated copy of Windows, so all the more reason to wipe it and put XP Home back on, or take it back to the shop and insist that they do their job properly by putting XP home back on for you.

Yes your XP home product key will work fine.

jgallcash

Cheers Lum. I can't believe the shop have done this in the first place. DBAN the laptop at the weekend and get the home version put back on.