Question for the Computer gurus

[deportes]

I bought a used HP/Compaq desktop that is windows vista ready/compatible.
I was planning on installing my original copy of Windows XP, will XP work Ok?
When I bought the used computer I did not see the original receipt.
Can I find out if it is in fact hot?
When I hook up to the internet and log my windows XP copy, does the computer send more info than the IP adress? I sure don't wnat to loose my freedom because the computer may be traced to me if it is hot.

Thanks.

 

[bsucards]

not sure if you can find out if it is legit or not ahead of time. But once you get it installed you can go here:

http://www.microsoft.com/genuine/
Using Internet Explorer

 

[deportes]

thanks. i will probably get a larger hard disk in it and format it, hope that the police doesn't show up to take me in.

 

[Old School]

gut it..

install XP..

SEND VISTA TO THE DUMP

 

[deportes]

what do you mean by gutting it?
Installing a new larger hard disk and XP?
will that be enough to keep the police away? :SIB

 

[Old School]

called the guru..


here it is ...any more questions get my e-mail from jack..will shoot you my number..


the computer is tatooed w/ an idenifer.

meaning it has manufactured system install that will not allow change over to XP.

TO FIND OUT IF MACHINE IS HOT OR LEGIT GET SERIEL NUMBER FROM ONE OF THREE PLACES.

back of the unit..

embossed inside cabinet


bottom of the unit..

go to HP.COM

look up serial #..if clear and free machine the # will appear there.

you can hook it up and go the system restore F-10 and set machine to orginial operating system

then do all the updates for windows vista..

my suggestion if you can..

take it back..

find the local guru geek..hand him 500 bucks along w/your legal xp and have him build you the computer from hell..


good luck whatever you do..

did not spell check..:mj07:

figured you needed to know pronto

 

[deportes]

thanks

 

[bsucards]

You can install xp over top of Vista. the XP cd is a bootable cd, it won't care what is there and what is not. The only thing you might need to add to it is some system drivers. See link below
http://howtogeek.com/howto/windows/...rd-disk-drives-during-windows-xp-installation

Always best to have an extra computer with internet access to get drivers if needed. But the site above looks right on.


BTW, a buddy of mine formatted his computer and reinstalled Windows XP the other day he had XP on it before, but once it was done, it didn't have a network driver loaded.

They took it to geek squad who said wow, never seen that before your probably going to have to buy a new copy of Windows XP from Microsoft, your drivers must be corrupt. I show up with a laptop and download the right driver and have them up in about 10 min. Nice job geek squad!

Not all computer guru's are the same!

 

[deportes]

great info. thanks. I bought another computer from ebay, same model and with a xp certificate.
I will make 1 out of both.