2 nd Hand Dell PC

I know this is my mess,But I would like to let anyone Know about buying a used Dell PC. I got a second hand (or 3rd) dell Pc. WITHOUT A DELL XP OEM CD.Well it kept asking to register only a few days left. So I tryed to register it,with the product key on the side. and It wouldn't. M$ said that register #'s that you read off to them were wrong. Then I was told to call Dell that they were authorized to take care of this.I called Dell, they asked for the name of the person it was first registered to and then you can reregister into your name and then they might sell me a new XP OEM CD ,And I have no idea who owened it before I got it.The person at M$ said that the Product key is a good one,(Legal)But someone has tryed to use another XP CD on it, When I run Everest the product key is the same that is on the sticker on the side of the PC. Anyway Don't buy a second hand Dell unless you know the person who it's registered to and has a OEM CD. By the way it's a Dell Dimensions 2300 it run's ok if I can this straightend out.If I end up buying a Win. XP CD (from Tiger Direct) is M$ going to let register it? Hope this stops someone from getting in the mess I got. I have other PC's, just got this real cheap now I know why. We learn from mistakes also. Chuck

 

Curious as to what you did as a result of this?

 

Yes. What you are buying is a licence to use the software on one (or whatever) machine of your choice.

 

Insomniac,Thanks I don't think it's right that I can't reg. the Legal # That came with the PC,But.
Novice. I have new OS But i'm still working on the other.


Chuck

 

As I understand the purchase of discount OEM Operating Systems like XP from Tiger or Newegg... they are intended for purchase with a computer or qualifing parts to build one (MOBO, CPU and HDD @ the minium). So the price you see is not what you would end up paying unless you spend lots-O-bucks.

I have a similar problem with my Father-in-laws PC... his step son put XP on their old Dell which came with Me. Time is running out and the kid lost the OEM Dell disks.

 

Jerkyking If you know the first owner you can talk to dell and they will let you put ME back on. I.m buying my OS from sales@edirectsoftware.com. cheapest I found. Dell wont talk to ya if you don't know the person it's reg. to(just my experience only)
Good Luck Chuck

 

If you have the tag with the XP key on the laptop.. you are the owner of that OS (my understanding), so when you called M$ they said the number was 'read wrong'... I have had to re-active XP & I just read off the # and tell them that was the only PC with that OS/Key in use and they gave me the activation. I'd try to read that number off again since the key & sticker match - or borrow an OEM disk and reinstall & try again.
Or you can get an XP home OEM for $93 here with hardware purchase (buy a mouse)

 

Would there be anything stopping you from completely formatting the Dell, buying a full copy of XP and installing it?

 

foogoo. I don't have a OEM CD and I don't know who the PC is registered with dell so Dell won't let me reregsiter it in my name to use the product key on the pc. I'm just going to install a new OS on it.
Ragnarok. That is what I'm going to do.
Just did't want anyone else to run into the same thing Chuck

 

Well I got it going and all LEGAL, And didn't have to use one of my new OS.Now I can use that money to up the memory.