what to do when you buy a second hand computer

I have recently bought a laptop from a person and I do not know what I have to do, do I have to buy new copy of windows to install or just re-register the original version of windows that came with the computer, do I need a bill of sale, anyone able to help me out?

 

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the person that sold you the computer should have given you the copy of windows that came with the machine.

if that doesn't apply then the windows on the machine belongs to you, but you will need a bill of sale to prove it.

 

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Yea I got the product recovery cd and the original reciept for the computer so I just got to register it in my name then, I don't need a bill of sale if I have the product recovery cd? When I re-formatted the computer and re-installed the software it never asked for the 25 digit code though, I found that strange!

 

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i have XP home, it came with my machine. when i reinstalled the OS it never asked for the 25 character code nor did i have to activate my copy. this type of OS is called OEM (original equipement manufacturer).

 

Laptop installations are OEM installs. Which means for the most part that you don't have the 25 Character key that you usually find on a single license purchase. OEM's are made to be "Easy Installs" for companies that are placing operating systems on mass numbers of machines which are tailored to the hardware (e.g. drivers, recovery discs). This is also why you don't find yourself getting a single license OS box set with your Laptop purchases, which is highly annoying should you ever need a complete reinstall.

You shouldn't have any problems with identifying you have a "genuine" license.

 

I wonder if it's possible to register the laptop in your name with the manufacturer?

I know whenever I call dell for parts on my inspiron, they are able to pull up my account using the "service tag".