Buying a used Desktop

PeterH1988 · 04-08-2012, 02:19 PM

Hi All,

I am currently looking on Ebay and notice that there are alot of Dell Optiplex systems being sold (I assume ex business machines).

My question is, when they say Windows XP COA or "Windows XP Pro / Professional SP3 OEM Version With CoA, Product Key"

Does this mean the OS could be installed on any machine capable of running XP, or are they simply trying to get money for recovery discs built for specific brands/machines?

e.g could I buy an OEM version which came with a Dell PC and use with a HP PC?

Thanks

greenbrucelee · 04-08-2012, 02:23 PM

OEM versions are linked to the machines they were originally installed on and legally you cannot install it on another system,

retail versions can only be installed on one machine at a time but can be removed from one machine and installed on another.

PeterH1988 · 04-08-2012, 02:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by greenbrucelee

OEM versions are linked to the machines they were originally installed on and legally you cannot install it on another system,

retail versions can only be installed on one machine at a time but can be removed from one machine and installed on another.

Thanks for the speedy response and information.

Excellent, so how does Microsoft know that it's been uninstalled from the 1st machine it was installed on? Quoting the Retail Version option.

Also, I notice that some people are selling machines with the first option - OEM and including the machine they were installed on because 'legally they have to' they still cannot be installed on a separate machine? They're linked to the machine S/N?

**sobeit** · 04-08-2012, 02:52 PM

did they specifically say the os came installed with the system or just said there was only a COA? Most businesses will wipe drive but will not reinstall an operating system. That would be up to you. If it came with a COA, then you will need a copy of oem operating system to use the Key on the COA

greenbrucelee · 04-09-2012, 02:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PeterH1988

Thanks for the speedy response and information.

Excellent, so how does Microsoft know that it's been uninstalled from the 1st machine it was installed on? Quoting the Retail Version option.

Also, I notice that some people are selling machines with the first option - OEM and including the machine they were installed on because 'legally they have to' they still cannot be installed on a separate machine? They're linked to the machine S/N?

They know because you have to register the copy after installation otherwise after 30 days it will stop working. This goes for both versions.

**JackBauer_24** · 04-09-2012, 09:15 AM

Be careful when selecting computers on Ebay. Sometimes there is scams out there for computers. Make sure you investigate the seller's feedback.

PeterH1988 · 04-10-2012, 01:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JackBauer_24

Be careful when selecting computers on Ebay. Sometimes there is scams out there for computers. Make sure you investigate the seller's feedback.

Thanks for the information. What sort of things should I look out for? Thanks

greenbrucelee · 04-10-2012, 07:26 AM

people that claim they are selling a 12GHz or a 24GHz computer. These are people who can build PCs but know nothing about speeds and cores so they would be no good for any help if you ran into problems.

people that sell PCs infected with viruses.

people that sell PCs with low quality equipment especially the psu.

people that claim they are selling a well known manufacturer when they aren't.

Overpriced systems.

That just some of the things I can think off.

**JackBauer_24** · 04-10-2012, 08:09 AM

As mentioned by greenbrucelee. Also negative feedbacks buyers stating they never received their shipments, broken non operational systems. Anything negative look for in the sellers feedbacks.

PeterH1988 · 04-10-2012, 09:42 AM

Thanks for the information, certainly some things I did not think of.

I've won an auction from someone with 100% positive feedback, the machine is of reasonable spec.

Once I recieve the item I'll judge the state of it.

FYI the auction is and has ended- eBay - The UK's Online Marketplace

Any thoughts or opinions greatly appreciated.

If posting links like the above is not allowed, please let me know as I'll remove it. I dont want to get banned from the forum as am learning some useful things.

Thanks again

**JackBauer_24** · 04-10-2012, 09:51 AM

We can not give advice what you should or should not do on Ebay.

The judgement is yours. I was referring on feedbacks if they are good it is up to you to go further.