Used Dell optiplex GX260 with no OS CD

[annonymous]

I bought a used above computer with windows installed. there is a sticker on
right side which says windows 2000 Prof. 1-2 CPU and there is a key written
too. Perhaps it means by a windows 2000 CD I can reinstall wind. 2000 if
needed. There is another sticker on front left. which says ' designed for
windows xp. Can I get an XP CD from Dell or microsoft to reinstall windows
xp on this computer if needed and how much aprox. they will charge? thanks.

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

I bought a used above computer with windows installed. there is a sticker on
right side which says windows 2000 Prof. 1-2 CPU and there is a key written
too. Perhaps it means by a windows 2000 CD I can reinstall wind. 2000 if
needed. There is another sticker on front left. which says ' designed for
windows xp. Can I get an XP CD from Dell or microsoft to reinstall windows
xp on this computer if needed and how much aprox. they will charge? thanks.

Several points:

1. "1-2 CPU" is a very confusing statement. It means a single
installation on a computer, and that computer can have one or two CPUs
on its motherboard.

2. You can not buy a copy of Windows XP, or any other version, from
Dell. Dell sells software only to their customers and only along with
computers.

3. You can not buy a copy of Windows XP from Microsoft. Microsoft no
longer produces or sells Windows XP.

4. You *can* buy a copy of Windows XP from many on-line sources. You
can do a search (Google or any other kind) to find them, or you can
just got to Amazon.com.

5.You don't say what version of Windows you have installed, but
regardless of what it is, if I acquired a used computer, no matter who
previously owned it, the first thing I would do with it would be to
reinstall the operating system cleanly. You have no idea how the
computer has been maintained, what has been installed incorrectly,
what is missing, what viruses and spyware there may be, etc. I
wouldn't want to live with somebody else's mistakes and problems,
possibility of kiddy porn, etc., and I wouldn't recommend that anyone
else do so either.

 

[Anteaus]

You would need a Windows 2000 OEM CD if you wish to use the attached COA.
You best chance is to pick one up on Ebay. Beware of couterfeits though,
which are very common with software. Don't bid if the seller looks less than
reputable.
2000 needs no activation so provided setup accepts the key on your COA,
you're OK.

If you wish to use XP you need the full kit of CD and license key. (and the
key needs to be unused as XP must be activated) There will have been Dell OEM
CDs, though a Microsoft CD should be just as suitable.

In terms of functionality, 2000 is not all that different from XP Pro except
that some of the later software will not install on 2000. (IE7/8 for example)
Then again, there's third-party products like Firefox or Thunderbird that
do, so who cares ;-)

Either way, you need the hardware drivers which you should be able to
download from Dell.

 

[Daave]

I bought a used above computer with windows installed. there is a
sticker on right side which says windows 2000 Prof. 1-2 CPU and there
is a key written too. Perhaps it means by a windows 2000 CD I can
reinstall wind. 2000 if needed. There is another sticker on front
left. which says ' designed for windows xp. Can I get an XP CD from
Dell or microsoft to reinstall windows xp on this computer if needed
and how much aprox. they will charge? thanks.

The "Designed for Windows XP" sticker means nothing as far as your
license is concerned.

You have a license to run Windows 2000. You should have made sure the
seller provided the CD, but it's too late now.

If you can borrow one, that would work. Otherwise you will need to
purchase one (that is, a Dell-branded Windows 2000 reinstallation CD).
Although I'm not a big fan of Ebay, this seller has a very high rating:

http://tinyurl.com/yfu8ncf

Price isn't too bad.

I mentioned Ebay since neither Dell nor Microsoft sell these.

I'm sure a Windows XP CD (Dell-branded, of course) would work, too, but
your conscience might not abide by that since your PC doesn't have a
license to run XP.