Installing an Operating System

[Westly32]

Installing an Operating System...is it difficult?

Alrighty, you can stop laughing now...


Well...

Had enough?

Oh c'mon, I'm embarrassed enough as it is...

Here's the backstory...
I was grazing over at ebay, and came upon a patch of notebook pcs. My spidey sense started tingling at the sight of so many notebooks at double digit opening bid prices. What's wrong with them, I asked over and over. Perrusing several descriptions I noticed that the ones that caught my eye were without operating systems. Now why would one need to erase the os from it completely anyway? If you owned it, you'd have the restore disc, you could just use the disc to restore from a catastrophic virus or software malady.

So, I'm in need of some expert guidance. Try and hold back on the guffaws,,,
Here's one-not the one I'm interested in, in case it helps..

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&item=190295847658

Say if I got this one, what exactly am I in store for in getting it up and running? Obviously, I'm a cheapskate, and am hoping to get away with spending the least amount of money that I can..

-I don't suppose I could conveniently take an os disc from an old pc, and install of a new one? (it couldn't be that easy, would it?
Or will I have to buy the disc in order to get one working?



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[MilesAhead]

If you have broadband download Mandriva and put the OS on for nothing!!

[Westly32]

^^ Now, you realize you're talkin to someone who...doesn't have a clue about stuff like this doncha? Never heard of Mandriva before, but Googling it, it's a Linux os. And I do need this notebook to be compatible with Windows based applications (and I don't know enough about the Linux os to know if that'll be a problem). I'm getting it for my sister, and I need to know she won't run into problems that I won't be able to handle.

[MilesAhead]

I think I'd still put Linux on it to see if the machine worked before you buy a copy of Windows. If you can get legit used copies I don't know. Maybe you can find out if you search. I'd be leary of buying any kind of hand held computer from auction. Chances are somebody dropped it and scrubbed the OS so it will take you awhile to find out it's broken!

[PurpleDemon]

Hi Westly32,

From what I have found out that pc did not come with recovery disks. I can not even find an option to order them. I might of overlooked which would be cool if someone could find that.

I did see in the ad that it has a COA sticker for Vista Home Premium. Do you have a Vista Home Premium OEM disk that you have used on another install?

If so your drivers can be found HERE

Installing Windows is easy. Just follow the directions and don't get in a hurry at the prompt screens. In addition you also need to think how the computer will be used as far as other applications like Java, PDF reader (Foxit is great), Media Player's, and even office applications. Open office is a great deal at the price of free.

[Westly32]

I did see in the ad that it has a COA sticker for Vista Home Premium. Do you have a Vista Home Premium OEM disk that you have used on another install?

No, my sister, I think, still has her backup cds for XP that came with her old pc, which is busted and she can't afford to get a new one at the moment..
I just needed to know how involved the process would be, having to instal the os, and whether an old disc would work or not. So if it's licensed to run with Vista, that probably means that another os, or older like XP can't be put on it?

[MilesAhead]

The restore set they let you burn when you get a pre-installed PC is for that machine. If you have an off the shelf OS install CD or DVD then you can put it on any machine as long as you only have it on one(or however many licenses you bought.) That's why I say, if money is tight, try the machine with a Linux. Even if the OS is harder to use, the install is easy. If the thing goes on and boots to the graphical desktop, then the machine probably works.

Once you've determined the PC works, then you can format and put any OS on. Linux is free so you are not out of pocket anything. If you don't have broadband you can probably go to the public library(if it is of any size) and get a Linux book with CD and install from it.

[Westly32]

Thanks for the information. It is very much appreciated. Unfortunately the one I had my eye on, I've been out bid. No one bothered it for 3 days, and on trhe final day, 5 bidders swooped in an went way outside price range.
Arrgh. $305 for a used laptop, with no os...Why not just new a NEW ONE, dolts.

[doctorhardware]

IMHO for $305 dollars it is not worth the price. If you want take a look at Ecost, they have decent prices on refurbished laptops. Also take a look at Microcenter. The both have web sites.

[Westly32]

Thanks, I'll pay Ecost and Microcenter a visit..The dolts rant was for the idiots who drove it up to $305...