XP Pro cheap? Futzed comp...

Hollister Man · Fri 09/04/2004 06:25:29

I bought my computer from a "friend" who builds computers. He put a volume license copy of XP Pro on my new comp, but I ended up with it completely futzed (spyware, micro$haft security holes, comp illiterate mother) and need to reinstall.

Unfortunately the guy has vanished and I never got a CD. Does anyone know where I can get an inexpensive copy? I am dreading the thought of a nuke -n- pave, considering I have the main source code for the most recent modification of my group's project.

ElectricMonk · Fri 09/04/2004 06:37:00

The cheapest legal way might be eBay. Or check online and normal computer flea markets.

Evil · Fri 09/04/2004 06:57:22

Often you can get cheap versions of operating systems, but they dont come with the extra crap that everyone wants, like Microsoft word. I think I have XP home like this for $50, but I got it right when XP came out. You could probably get it for $30. But in the mean time, I dont see why you dont use a "borrowed copy" for the mean time, until you find the guy, or a cheap os.

BOYD1981 · Fri 09/04/2004 12:48:18

doesn't windows copy itself to a directory inside your windows folder when you install it?
i have a WIN98 folder inside mine with (i think) all the files from the cd..

LGM · Fri 09/04/2004 13:16:15

Don't listen to evil.. Office NEVER comes with XP, unless you buy a bundle computer from Dell or Gateway or whatever.

An upgrade for Windows XP is $99 for Home and $199 for Pro. A full install for Home is $199 and Pro is $299.. And 2000 Professional is the same as XP Pro..

But yes, check Ebay. Or use linux

Hollister Man · Fri 09/04/2004 15:19:00

Thanks for the replies!

Its a pretty new comp, never had another os on it, so an upgrade is out.

You can't "borrow" XP, it has a special anti-piracy dial home "feature" that I don't want to try and crack (although I could use it for a week :p)

As for copying itself, that is the job of a good tech when he installs the OS. It isn't automatic.

Jeff's a good guy, but he's really forgetful. He probably just moved back to Seattle and forgot all about it.

I have an upgrade of Home, but I hate it. Pro is much beter for me. And the fact that I have almost a hundred games that I use in Dos, I need a microsoft OS. I KNOW dos, and I know XP pretty well. I might DL a copy of mandrake today just to get it going again, though.

shbaz · Fri 09/04/2004 16:53:00

I think he's suggesting you borrow the CD for XP and use the same license key that is on your computer now. If you go to Control panel/system and click the general tab, your key will be listed under the registration information.

Evil · Fri 09/04/2004 19:04:08

Quote from: LilGryphMaster on Fri 09/04/2004 13:16:15
Don't listen to evil.. Office NEVER comes with XP, unless you buy a bundle computer from Dell or Gateway or whatever.

My father must buy his software on the black market, is that what you're saying? HUH!?

Darth Mandarb · Fri 09/04/2004 19:09:38

If you bought the computer legally and everything is on the up and up Microsoft should send you a new copy of the CD.

You had to register that copy when you got the computer right? Or did your buddy do that for you?

As long as you did everything right (legal) and you call Microsoft, they should be willing to send you a replacement CD. You can just tell them that the old CD got stepped on or something.

Hollister Man · Fri 09/04/2004 21:51:02

The problem is that I am not all that sure about Jeff's "up and up"ness. He beta-tested win 95 and 98, and often gets bulk licenses, but I never recieved the COA or the CD, and it was already activated on arrival. I think my best bet would be to copy down that number, get a new copy of XP, and use the new serial on another new pc if all is fine with the old one.

BTW: I have downloaded Knoppix and am going to try playing with it tonight.

Peter Thomas · Fri 09/04/2004 23:27:09

good luck getting microsoft to send a free cd

Teh cheap bums!

A similar thing happened to me... I brought a computer from a family friend who owned a computer business - it came with win 98 (obviously this was a couple of years ago) already installed and activated.

When we had problems, Microsoft got all chummy with us, saying "yes, of COURSE we'll help you! We are multi-billion dollar company with heaps to spare!" and then they tried to tell us that everything I'd done was illegal (it wasn't, I assure you. That's why I still have money...)

And yet I know of people who managed to scam a whole computer FREE from microsoft....

go figure...

shbaz · Fri 09/04/2004 23:36:28

Quote from: Peter Thomas on Fri 09/04/2004 23:27:09
And yet I know of people who managed to scam a whole computer FREE from microsoft....

How does one go about doing that?

Evil · Sat 10/04/2004 01:35:37

**gets a pad of paper**