A second-hand pc

[karruthers]

My friend has just told me she's bought a decent second hand pc through a friend of a friend. Before buying it my friend was told it had either windows xp or vista on it, but the guy wasnt sure as it hadnt been switched on for some time. After getting it home my friend has discovered that although it appears to work, there isn't actually any software on it at all. I've no idea what it is or how old it is or anything, all I'm wondering is can she buy a version of windows to put on it and if so which one/where from? Any help at all would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance

[ChuckFickens]

Does it have a windows COA (license number sticker) on it anywhere?

If it does the easiest thing would be to beg/borrow a matching windows CD to the version on the sticker and use the borrowed CD to install from and enter the license key on the sticker when required. (take a copy of the CD while your at it).... this would be perfectly legal as the physical media for windows is of little importance, it's the sticker that is the important bit...

If it hasn't got a windows COA on it and it's a big brand computer then check the manufacturers website and see what it came with originally and you'd be best of (well easiest option at least) sticking with whatever version of windows it came with originally, check Ebay for copies of what ever version, but make sure they are complete with media and the COA sticker otherwise they are worthless.

[VHG]

I can believe anyone would buy a PC without it being switched on first so they could see it working.

Plus the cost without Windows should have been less than if it HAD got Windows installed.

[chas2008]

My thoughts also VHG,
perhaps their knowledge of PCs is limited and they think windows includes MS office and the like, which is what they mean when they are refering to 'software' not the windows operating system...
Lets be honest you have to be a bit clued up to check a pc with only the basic operating system...

[Old_Geezer]

Yes she can buy whatever operating system she wants. The Internet is teeming with places that sell them but you have to beware you are purchasing from a legitimate seller. Get a ripped off copy of Windows and MS will wait until the seller has disappeared a few months later, and then bombard you with warnings that the OS isn't legitimate, presumably to make you the victim.

Might be worth your friend's while paying a bit more from a PC shop she can return to if there is a problem.

As for which OS to install, depends a lot on the PC. I had a heck of a job upgrading my woman's PC to Win7 and eventually had to pay a guy to help out. Since your friend's is second hand and not turned on for a while I rather think you might want to avoid the latest OS versions such as Win 7, see if you can get an XP installation to try.

[Old_Geezer]

Just a quick query, if it has no software and thus you need to install Windows (or some other OS) then what makes you think it appears to work ? Is it because a light on the front comes on, and it didn't go BANG ?

This guy; not been on TV during the riots has he ?

[galeck1947]

The pc should have come with installation discs if none were supplied then ask for them otherwise dont buy it as you will have to purchase the software and it is not cheap and may not be available depending on the hardware. Buying a secondhand pc is more trouble than enough a new one can be bought a reasonable cost these days.

[RATTER15]

I would only take that chance at the right price!! I hope it wasn't expensive works out OK.