Help on buying operating systems?

**neil_999** · November 29th, 2011, 08:22 PM

Hi all,

This is my first question here. I've been servicing computers for family and friends and a few small businesses for the last few years but now I'm thinking of branching out a bit, but I have a question...

Is it possible to buy a copy of Windows (XP, Vista & 7) that I could install on paying customers computers should their operating system need re-installing?

Grateful for any advice on this! Thanks.

**RicheemxX** · November 29th, 2011, 08:42 PM

Well obviously you could buy an entire new OS and license I'm assuming however you mean something like a universal re-install disk that would work with their current COA and key. For that all you'd need is the install media for their corresponding OS.

So for instance with XP you'd need a copy of XP Home or Pro depending on the version you are installing. There use to be issues with using Retail Media and an OEM key but I'm not sure that is still the case. You'd then be prompted as usual to enter their key and activate.

For Vista/W7 the retail DVD came with all the versions. So you'd simply choose the option you needed that coincided with their current version. If you aren't prompted to enter their key on setup you'd need to change it afterwards and then again enter their original key and go through the activation process.

**neil_999** · November 30th, 2011, 10:32 AM

So am I right in thinking (using XP as an example) one purchased install CD would accept their current CD key? Thus meaning I wouldn't be using up my licence user limit?

**RicheemxX** · November 30th, 2011, 11:48 AM

Correct the install CD/DVD can be used numerous times its not tied to a license. You just have to make sure you use their current key for activation.

**Steve R Jones** · November 30th, 2011, 02:38 PM

The Magical Jelly Bean Keyfinder is a freeware utility that retrieves your Product Key (cd key) used to install windows from your registry. It also has a community-updated configuration file that retrieves product keys for many other applications. Another feature is the ability to retrieve product keys from unbootable Windows installations.
KeyFinder | Magical Jelly Bean

**neil_999** · November 30th, 2011, 07:19 PM

Thanks people.......very helpful

**RicheemxX** · November 30th, 2011, 07:30 PM

Yeah magical jelly bean is a good little app for grabbing the keys off of current installs. I personally prefer using something like http://www.belarc.com/free_download.html it not only gives you your windows key but it will show keys for a few other things as well. It also shows more details on what is installed on the machine that you might need to update, get drivers for ect.

**Interrupt** · December 2nd, 2011, 02:39 PM

Great tools guys, thanks I needed a quick way of finding the key too!

More recent than not I've been working on a lot of Dells and have made a number of calls to order recovery CDs simply to set a system back to factory default (Operating System and all). That's also another option worth considering if you do a lot of repair.

In those circumstances the company, such as Dell, will ask you for specifics. Be sure to know the service tag, customer name, number, address, etc. The disks are usually fairly inexpensive and customers don't generally mind paying for it. Or you could just shell out the cash. To be honest many customers don't even care if you keep the recovery CD after so long as you fix their machine which means you'll accumulate quite a few of those recovery CDs (great for when you need them).

Be forewarned that companies such as Gateway actually get rid of older restore CDs! Furthermore they'll only assist you further if you have an active warranty (which defeats the purpose of hiring a technician in the first place).

Beside those minor hangups a manufacturer's recovery disc is also a great option for your repair needs!

**Interrupt** · December 4th, 2011, 12:32 PM

Just playing around in Belarc a bit and find it to be really great for a free tool (home use only, they have a version for small & large companies). Though this is exactly what I need. Does great security assessments based on common (but not usually thought of) settings such as group policy settings concerning zone information ascribed to files by Windows and other such things which may be used to compromise Windows security.

That's what I'm doing now. Tooling around in gpedit seeing if there's anything I really do want to change. The list they provide is comprehensive but completely up to the user to change if they deem it's important enough based on the analysis the program provides.

Neat stuff, loving the sec auditing & network analysis which lists what each device's role in the network is. Provides info on what services the router actually provides ahead of time to save you some time.

Cool stuff Richeem.