used windows xp 2002

  • Thread starter Thread starter Cynanthis
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Cynanthis

Hi, I am lookin to buy an inexpensive pc (like at yard sales, news paper,
etc) for a relative that cant afford yet, a new pc. I want to get him a
windows xp version sp2.
How can i look to see what i am getting in the specs of the computer. Do I
just go to "my computer" and right click on properties and see all i need
there? My own laptop has this: 512 MB of RAM and 80 GB capacity. That is
about what i am going to look for (unless those numbers are larger, but not
less)-
OR where else can i see on the tower to get a better indication of what is
contained in the pc.ALSO, just becuase a pc has windows 2002 xp doesnt mean
that the pc is newer than 2002....right. I saw a compaq that looked old
fashioned but had WXP 2002. I dont wanna get a too old pc so how can i see
the year of it as well.thnks
 
You are confusing the computer with the operating system. A used computer
could have any number of operating systems installed, including but not
limited to: Linux, DOS, Windows 95, 98, 98SE, ME, XP, etc as its operating
system; or no operating system at all. (Then you would have to buy your
own.)

The seller should have all the owner's manuals for the system being sold.
 
Look for sticker on the back or side of the case for the date of
manufacture. Sometimes the power supply will also have a date stamp on it.

As for Windows XP, ask to see the XP CD (with key code sticker) and any
documentation/software that came with the system.
The software versions should also help (rough guide) as to when the PC was
sold.
Make certain that the PC is in working condition, then use the tools
available in Windows to see what is has in the way of hard drives, memory,
Etc.

JS
 
If the seller doesn't have the Windows XP CD with the computer (with the
auth key numbers on it), you would at the least want to get a known brand
machine with a COA (certificate of authorization) sticker on it. It will
have holographic images, and a Windows key code number.
If you don't have at least the COA, as far as registering Windows, you would
be out of luck if your machine crashed and you had to reload XP.

BTW there is no XP2002. You are probably thinking of the SP2 version of XP.
Also whether the machine's XP is updated to SP1 or SP2 is not a big deal.
You can always update it yourself.
 
To learn a lot about a computer download this little freeware program
http://www.snapfiles.com/get/siw.html
You can copy the file to a USB stick or Floppy or CD. Take it to the sale
and with the computer up and running XP simply plug the media that has the
file siw.exe on it and run the program. It doesn't install anything on hte
computer but will tell you many things.
 
Harry,
Thanks for publishing that link; that appears to be a pretty handy and
in-depth tool. Great catch!

Regards,

Pop`
 
whoa! this is a good tool. i put it on my usb and am trying it on my laptop
to get familiar with the SWI thing. All the info that is shown s
overwhelming. but i can see its usefullness in the things that I DO
recognize. I even saw a few of my pw's, even on an old MSN acct i dont even
use. thanx and glad that others benefited from all responses rceived here as
i did too.


Harry Ohrn said:
To learn a lot about a computer download this little freeware program
http://www.snapfiles.com/get/siw.html
You can copy the file to a USB stick or Floppy or CD. Take it to the sale
and with the computer up and running XP simply plug the media that has the
file siw.exe on it and run the program. It doesn't install anything on hte
computer but will tell you many things.
--


Harry Ohrn MS MVP [Shell\User]
www.webtree.ca/windowsxp


Cynanthis said:
Hi, I am lookin to buy an inexpensive pc (like at yard sales, news paper,
etc) for a relative that cant afford yet, a new pc. I want to get him a
windows xp version sp2.
How can i look to see what i am getting in the specs of the computer. Do
I just go to "my computer" and right click on properties and see all i
need there? My own laptop has this: 512 MB of RAM and 80 GB capacity.
That is about what i am going to look for (unless those numbers are
larger, but not less)-
OR where else can i see on the tower to get a better indication of what
is contained in the pc.ALSO, just becuase a pc has windows 2002 xp doesnt
mean that the pc is newer than 2002....right. I saw a compaq that looked
old fashioned but had WXP 2002. I dont wanna get a too old pc so how can
i see the year of it as well.thnks
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