What To Do?

[The Equivocate]

Being in college Im trying to spend the least amount of money here... my laptop got a virus, and unfortunately since I bought it from eBay I didnt get any restore disks. I called up GeekSquad just for the hell of it since I know a guy that used to work there, and he asked me about the Windows XP sticker on the laptop with the product key and somehow mentioned it would be less money because I have that sticker? The virus completely wiped out my system files so I'm just going to completely reformat with the Windows disk... what are my options here besides buying a new copy of Windows, and does that product sticker on my laptop make a difference?

 

[Robson]

Why don't you get some restore disks for it? I believe you can buy these for xp.

 

[Mike_Wiseman]

I reformatted my computer a couple times in the past 2-3 months because of viruses, But i have a windows cd so i dont have to buy another one. And there expensive.

 

[axilant]

Linux all the way :D

I can send you a copy of ubuntu linux for free as long as you pay shipping costs. Other than that... you might have to buy windows, unless you like the illegal way lol, or ask a friend for some CD's

 

[TWM]

Depending on what sticker it is, get a generic windows cd from a major distributer and use that S/N. It will work.

 

[Brian]

Depending on what sticker it is, get a generic windows cd from a major distributer and use that S/N. It will work.

Yes, or if its a valid sticker on it, you can request a backup disk from MS, or if you know where the computer was originialy bought from going to them direcly.

 

[lilgee]

If you looking for a new laptop or desk top computer, go to www.tigerdirect.com they got good deals there.

 

[Peter]

just a note on if you go to microsoft.

When you buy a licence of windows it is tied to the person. Micorosoft may not help.

I think as a few other people have posted your best bet would to be finding a freind who has a genuine copy of xp and installing that using the serial.

 

[matrics]

If you own a license, you can use any disk to install Win XP (all XP CD's work with all the license codes). Just call one of your friends who has a copy (prefferably legal).