Buy xp instal disc, or new computer?

tomstickland

I'm running a hand-me-down Dell Dimension XPS T500, whatever that is. I think it's a 2001 Pentium something or other. Anyway, it doesn't do too badly, but it has two copies of windows on it and some issues which I could sort with a reformating. I don't have the windows discs, so I'm looking at buying an install from Ebay. I'm worried about dodgy sellers there. Assuming I work round that, it looks like people pay around £60-80 for XP professional.
Is that a fair price?

The other option is to buy a Dell desktop for around £350. This will have the added bonus of a flat screen monitor, something I fancy.

I don't know if I can justify spending the cash or not. Is shelling out on windows xp a false economy when I can get it for "free" with a new Dell anyway.

albertross_2

This avoids the ebay issue.

http://www.ebuyer.com/UK/product/114048/rb/21214766051

do you need pro?

Fraserca

If the computer already has XP installed you can find the Licence key by using this utility - rockxp . You can download it from http://www.snapfiles.com/get/rockxp.html

Then you can wipe the computer and reinstall using a friends copy of an xp OEM installation disc ( ask around - there are hundreds out there ). Enter the Licence Key and there you are.

This is not illegal as the XP licence key was obviously legal in the first place it it had been activated when the computer was first set up.

fraser

Fraserca wrote:

If the computer already has XP installed you can find the Licence key by using this utility - rockxp . You can download it from http://www.snapfiles.com/get/rockxp.html

Then you can wipe the computer and reinstall using a friends copy of an xp OEM installation disc ( ask around - there are hundreds out there ). Enter the Licence Key and there you are.

This is not illegal as the XP licence key was obviously legal in the first place it it had been activated when the computer was first set up.

this is correct nice moneysave eh

tomstickland

Top tip tastic!
My father has the XP Pro disc.

alanrp123

Many thanks, this is a great program to have, everyone with a computer should download and save this file.

Lord_Gardener

Fraserca wrote:

If the computer already has XP installed you can find the Licence key by using this utility - rockxp . You can download it from http://www.snapfiles.com/get/rockxp.html

Then you can wipe the computer and reinstall using a friends copy of an xp OEM installation disc ( ask around - there are hundreds out there ). Enter the Licence Key and there you are.

This is not illegal as the XP licence key was obviously legal in the first place it it had been activated when the computer was first set up.

Thanks, a good tip!

Fraserca

Mind you Tom the version of XP originally registered and activated on your computer will have to be the same as the version you are using to restore XP. ie if it was XP home then an XP pro disc and installation will not accept that key. Similarly the Service Pack versions may cause a conflict.

Its well worth a try tho.

CAT-THE-FIFTH

Hi

Useful utility!!

However be careful as with any free utility be careful as this means someone else cane get you software serial numbers!! Make sure that such utilities are blocked by your firewall if they try to "phone" home!!