My wife got this compaq presario p.c. at the salvation army. It was brand new, but It won't download the latest updates. The product key sticker has been removed. It has Windows XP in it. Microsoft is telling me it does not have ginuine microsoft program installed. I tried to explane to them that it was not my fault. They said it was a counterfeit program. There has got to be a way to get a new product key without buying it form micro soft. The pc is about five years old. It has 512kb, whatever that is? I'm really computer stupid, I'm 50 years old. Please help me solve this problem.
2007-12-14 05:58:30 · 4 answers · asked by ? 4 in Computers & Internet ➔ Software
Yes. Sounds as though you will have to buy a new operating system. Sorry about that.
In the second sentence you say the computer was brand new, but it obviously it must not be 'brand new' when it is five years old, as you have stated towards the end.
Chances are that you cannot run Microsoft Vista because the system does not meet the required minimum system requirements.
Also, I think you meant to say that it has 512 MB RAM, not kb.
There is only one thing that you might be able to do. Click:
START > ALL PROGRAMS > ACCESSORIES > SYSTEM TOOLS > ACTIVATE WINDOWS
This will bring up the Windows Activation Wizard. Mine says "Windows is already activated...". Does yours say that? If it doesn't, then you want to be able to input a new key. If the option is available, click "I want to telephone a representative...". This will give you a toll-free number to contact Microsoft in regards to activating your product.
Explain to them that you just erased your computer, and that you are trying to reinstall Windows XP on your computer, again. They should give you a new code.
You really need the original CD that XP comes on. If you didn't get any CD's with your computer, then you will no doubt have to purchase them.
Buying a computer from a salvation type of place is highly not recommended. There is a reason that the computer is there. They are not worth anything at all.
You would be much better off going to a recycled computer store. You can get very inexpensive computers that are set up to run. If you buy from a salvation, you are buying crap, guaranteed. Nobody cares and you won't get any technical support. If you buy from a recycled computer place, at least you are buying it from a computer salesman, and they will be able to answer questions that you may have.
I'm not sure how much you paid, but you might just want to chalk it up to a learning experience.
If you have $300, you could buy a brand new Dell system, including XP, and brand new parts, including a warranty. This is the way to go.
Sorry about your luck.
Hope this helps.
2007-12-14 06:15:37 · answer #1 · answered by Brent T 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well technically, SA should not have sold you the computer with XP installed without giving you the CD...If they didnt have a CD to give you then the system should have been empty....
Microsoft wont give you a product key for XP.....Your only recourse is to try to get one out of the people you got the system from or buy a valid copy of XP....
2007-12-14 06:08:39 · answer #2 · answered by newton3010 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you didn't get a Windows installation CD with this computer, then you do not own a copy of Windows and therefor you will need to purchase one. Or you can call Microsoft and they will sell you a KEY. But it would be better to purchase the CD so that you well physically "own" it. Then you would be able to reinstall Windows at any time.
2007-12-14 06:06:18 · answer #3 · answered by Ron M 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
sell it, if you can and buy a rebuilt from a local tech. it would cost more to fix then its worth. or just run it without the updates, get some good third party protection installed. ani't virus, spyware scanner, firewall. look at some answers here to find things you will need.
2007-12-14 06:02:04 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋