Operating System License Key only

[tkkt]

I am looking at buying a laptop at an online auction site, but the item
states the "Operating System License Key" is included. However the items not
included are:
Installed Operating System
Operating System Restore Partition
Operating System Restore Disc (s)

How can I use this computer or do I have to buy a full OS version?

 

[Curious]

Don't buy it.
The Key is included because it is on a sticker on the bottom of the laptop.
It may only work with the Laptop vendors RestoreCDs which the seller is
obviously keeping or has lost in addition to his apparently reformatting the
disk before trying to sell it. You may be able to purchase a new set of
restore CDs from the laptop vendor so you might call their support line if

 

[doonboggle]

If it's cheap enough, I'd go for it.

Then go to ebay and buy a version of Windows you want. Vista is getting
very inexpensive these days over there. Just bought one myself for 40.00
plus 5.00 shipping ... unopened.

 

[Bob F.]

Looks like whoever is selling this laptop has ruthlessly deleted the entire
system, all folders and restore partition in an effort to protect data. He
probably never got a Vista disk when he bought it either. But the key is
usually printed on a tag and pasted to the bottom. That would account for
it looking like it does. This in itself is not a particular problem. The
license is transferable since everything was removed and you can get a disk
from the MS site at a nominal fee. (you will need the key FIRST). You need
to ask a lot of questions if you can on the auction site. I would only go
for this if it was a GREAT deal. "doonboggle" also has a suggestion but I
haven't found a copy that cheap. You will need a FULL version and they run
$150 or so. I think the best bet is the MS site. I don't know how much
they get but I'm thinking about $20.00 for a replacement disk. Oh and BTW,
if you know someone with a disk and you have a legit key, it's perfectly ok
to use their disk to do the install.