Need a w2k disc that works

G

Guest

Work for a non-profit agency - another company donated ten Gateway PCs each
with a COA and license key stuck to the side. Problem is they did not
include the OEM W2K discs. Tried an OEM cd from Compaq and one from Dell
but the Gateway would not boot from them. Tried a retail cd and the
installation worked to the point of entering the license key - but the retail
cd don't like the OEM license key. Is it possible to get a cd that will
work?
 
J

John John

Try ebay or if you know the company who donated the PC's ask them, they
may have a Gateway cd laying about somewhere.

John
 
G

Guest

Tried ebay - no luck.
Would these computers qualify for a Windows XP Upgrade license? (I'm not
sure if W2K needs to be installed for the upgrade to work)
 
J

John John

You can also try online retailers, a few of them still offer Windows
2000 for sale.

You do not need to have any Windows version already installed to install
Windows XP with the upgrade disk, all you need is "proof" of ownership
of a previous qualifying Windows version. When installing with the
upgrade cd the setup program will scan the hard disk for a Windows
version to upgrade, if it finds no installed Windows version it will
inform you that it found no previous operating system and it will ask
you to insert the cd of a qualifying Windows in the cd drive. Once
satisfied that you own a previous qualifying version the setup program
will proceed to install Windows XP cleanly. OEM cd's *do not* qualify
as proof of previous ownership, you will need a full retail version cd
of Windows 95/98/ME/NT/2000.

John
 

Ask a Question

Want to reply to this thread or ask your own question?

You'll need to choose a username for the site, which only take a couple of moments. After that, you can post your question and our members will help you out.

Ask a Question

Similar Threads


Top