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General discussion

Used Laptop

Dec 30, 2014 5:43AM PST

I bought a used laptop and I don't think the copy of XP on it is legal. Can I install a new hard drive and install a full version of win7?

Discussion is locked

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No details so hard to guess.
Dec 30, 2014 5:50AM PST

Where will this full version of Windows 7 come from?
Dafydd.

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Re: install Windows 7
Dec 30, 2014 5:56AM PST

First I'd run the upgrade advisor to see what it says about the hardware. Free download from http://www.microsoft.com/nl-nl/download/details.aspx?id=20

Then I'd assure myself that I can find all necessary drivers on the site of the maker.

Then, if it's OK on both points, I'd find a currently unused retail license of Windows 7 to install. It's doubtful, of course, that so old a laptop is worth the price of such a license.

Kees

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Now for nothing you can try Windows 10 on it.
Dec 30, 2014 7:03AM PST

Since everyone knows to backup drives and more, I won't duplicate that here but for ZERO BUCKS you could go get Windows 10 and run that for free for many months.
Bob

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or linux :-)
Dec 30, 2014 8:06AM PST

good time to try linux too Happy

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full retail version
Dec 30, 2014 8:11AM PST

Please give the full model number of the laptop. Why do you think it is not legal? If you do install win7, make sure it is a full retail version, not one that came with another computer, not an upgrade version, nor one that says for distribution with a new pc on the disk.

Is the old harddrive bad? if not there is no reason to install a new harddrive just to install the full version of win7. you also may be able to get the original os that came with the laptop from the laptop's manufacturer. If it originally came with xp, you better go to the manufacturers website and see if they have win7 drivers for your specific laptop model otherwise, it would not be wise to install win7.