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General discussion

Should I Buy EBay Laptop w/No OS?

Feb 14, 2009 8:28AM PST

I am looking at laptops on EBay and there is one with no OS. I have an original XP Pro CD with Product Key. Is it a pain to install an OS? Should it be pretty much plug n'play or are there likely to be driver or other issues. It is a Dell X300.

Thanks,

BB

Discussion is locked

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If you get it, you use the Service Tag
Feb 14, 2009 8:40AM PST

Then off to dell.com for the drivers.

XP and how to install XP is not a secret. You can find out how from thousands of sites.
Bob

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That Easy?
Feb 14, 2009 8:45AM PST

So you use the service tag to get the drivers at dell.com? The seller has 2400+ positive reviews so I'm not worried - just trying to weigh whether I should just get one off EBay that has an installed OS or install the one I have.

Can I assume:

1) Start computer w/no OS
2) Open CD drive and put in XP CD
3) Let it install
4) Get dell.com drivers

Is it really that easy?

Thanks

BB

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That easy.
Feb 14, 2009 10:53AM PST

If the BIOS is set to boot off the CD first.