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Been Offered a PC with no HD

It has a bona fide Windows OS but the person offering it wants to destroy the HD. I would have the MS serial number.

If I fit a new HD would it be possible to reinstall Windows?
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Comments

  • gonzo127
    gonzo127 Posts: 4,482 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture Combo Breaker
    if you have the correct disk to match the OS serial number yes you could
    Drop a brand challenge
    on a £100 shop you might on average get 70 items save
    10p per product = £7 a week ~ £28 a month
    20p per product = £14 a week ~ £56 a month
    30p per product = £21 a week ~ £84 a month (or in other words one weeks shoping at the new price)
  • googler
    googler Posts: 16,103 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    Can the seller give you the Windoze install discs that match the serial number on the machine?

    If so, you're good to go - put an HDD in the machine, and put the Windoze install disc in the disc drive, etc etc
  • Is there a Windows COA with serial key on the side of the case?
    If my post helped you in anyway, please hit the "Thanks" button! Please note any advice I give is followed at your own risk!
  • JasX
    JasX Posts: 3,996 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    find out what the full spec is, if its old won;t really be worth touching, if its a good spec for a good price judge if its worth the risk/faff with windows activation -fall back position being you just buy a RETAIL copy of windows 7(Not OEM!)

    ....definitely more info on spec and price required :)
  • martindow
    martindow Posts: 10,687 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    Thanks for the replies. It is being offered free but no idea of the spec yet. There is a label with a Windows serial key on the case but no install discs as far as I know.
  • Sput2001
    Sput2001 Posts: 1,206 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture
    What version of Windows is on the COA sticker?
  • Richie-from-the-Boro
    Richie-from-the-Boro Posts: 6,945 Forumite
    Tenth Anniversary 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    edited 15 September 2010 at 11:32AM
    With or without disks, with or without knowing the spec we can get a clue on the spec [ see #7 ] from the version on the COA sticker.
    Disclaimer : Everything I write on this forum is my opinion. I try to be an even-handed poster and accept that you at times may not agree with these opinions or how I choose to express them, this is not my problem. The Disabled : If years cannot be added to their lives, at least life can be added to their years - Alf Morris - ℜ
  • martindow
    martindow Posts: 10,687 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    I'll get the info and come back. Thank you everyone for your help so far.
  • Donnie
    Donnie Posts: 9,862 Forumite
    Don't worry. You can get is working as long as there is a COA. Though as JasX has written, specifications and price should be your first port of call.
  • JJ_Egan
    JJ_Egan Posts: 20,281 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    Hard drive £35- £65 for reasonable size .
    The hard drive could be nuked via one of the tools like erasor .

    Possibility that windows would not proceed to activate as hardware changed if you put in a new HD . But no problem just follow the onscreen number contact MS and it is either automated or an operator will speak to you all you need to say is hard drive upgrade if they bother to ask .


    jje
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