Vista needs to be activated on a used computer. Help

Cindi

Member
Hi,
I bought a used computer from swap shop so my son or I can use it at home. It's a used Dell computer, bought it for $100 without even knowing that it works. Guy gave his word that it works. So put it up last night, by the way, we only want to use it for browsing the internet for facebook, youtube or reading e-mails. My son is young and I don't need to use any other uses of a computer such as outlook e-mail, documents, playing music...
Anyways, After I put it together last night, it asks me to activate it's Vista windows software. States please activate Vista Business within 30 days. It has blank areas I guess that's where you need to put numbers to activate. I do not have these activation numbers nor computer has it on itself. Computer did not come with any disc or booklets or a box.
I'm planning on going back to swap shop to see if the guy is there but it's one of those flea markets you may not see the same sellers again.
What would happen after 30 days? Will I be still able to browse internet? Or it won't work anymore?
I know it's only $100 I paid, not much, but still it's $100.
Our other computer was really old, so slow, not working.
Thank you for your help.
Cindi
 

My Computer

Welcome
There are ways to extend the period to 120 days, but after that period if you do not activate you will slowly begin to lose Windows Features, until you will not have anything, interent, documents or anything else.
I think what happened is that he reinstalled, so you would not have access to any of his private information.
There is a number on the computer, it is 25 digits, every 5 digits separated by a dash. If he just restored the computer to factory specs, that is the key number and should work.
This may give you time to get the correct key number, if the one on the computer does not work
http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/66990-activation-extend-trial-period.html
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Dell XPS420
    Memory
    6 gig
    Graphics Card(s)
    ATI Radeon HD3650 256 MB
    Sound Card
    Intergrated 7.1 Channel Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dell SP2009W 20 inch Flat Panel w Webcam
    Hard Drives
    640 gb
    Cooling
    Fan
    Keyboard
    Dell USB
    Mouse
    Dell USB 4 button optical
    Other Info
    DSL provided by ATT
Welcome
There are ways to extend the period to 120 days, but after that period if you do not activate you will slowly begin to lose Windows Features, until you will not have anything, interent, documents or anything else.
I think what happened is that he reinstalled, so you would not have access to any of his private information.
There is a number on the computer, it is 25 digits, every 5 digits separated by a dash. If he just restored the computer to factory specs, that is the key number and should work.
This may give you time to get the correct key number, if the one on the computer does not work
http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/66990-activation-extend-trial-period.html
Thank you for your quick reply.
If I understand correctly, computer will stop working and I won't even be able to use the internet explorer after a certain period.
If I can't find the said key numbers or won't work, where can I buy it if it's not too expensive? It's a Vista Business.
Thanks
 

My Computer

If you cant get it to work, you have to pay full price for an OS. The cost is over $125.00. You will not be able to find Vista, either, you must buy Seven.
There is a free OS, its called Ubuntu, but I do not know how good it is.
Homepage | Ubuntu
Many here use it in addition to Vista or Seven.

You are correct, eventually you lose everything.
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Dell XPS420
    Memory
    6 gig
    Graphics Card(s)
    ATI Radeon HD3650 256 MB
    Sound Card
    Intergrated 7.1 Channel Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dell SP2009W 20 inch Flat Panel w Webcam
    Hard Drives
    640 gb
    Cooling
    Fan
    Keyboard
    Dell USB
    Mouse
    Dell USB 4 button optical
    Other Info
    DSL provided by ATT
Hi,
I bought a used computer from swap shop so my son or I can use it at home. It's a used Dell computer, bought it for $100 without even knowing that it works. Guy gave his word that it works. So put it up last night, by the way, we only want to use it for browsing the internet for facebook, youtube or reading e-mails. My son is young and I don't need to use any other uses of a computer such as outlook e-mail, documents, playing music...
Anyways, After I put it together last night, it asks me to activate it's Vista windows software. States please activate Vista Business within 30 days. It has blank areas I guess that's where you need to put numbers to activate. I do not have these activation numbers nor computer has it on itself. Computer did not come with any disc or booklets or a box.
I'm planning on going back to swap shop to see if the guy is there but it's one of those flea markets you may not see the same sellers again.
What would happen after 30 days? Will I be still able to browse internet? Or it won't work anymore?
I know it's only $100 I paid, not much, but still it's $100.
Our other computer was really old, so slow, not working.
Thank you for your help.
Cindi

>>>>>>I do not have these activation numbers nor computer has it on itself

I am assuming ...
You were asked to enter the Product Key.

If the used computer is a laptop, turn it over > at the bottom there should be a sticker that says Product Key, followed by a string of 25 in combination of numbers and letters. The string is divided into 5 group, each group has a combination of 5 numbers or letters.
If the used computer is a desktop , the product key should be either on the side or at the back.

P.S. Depending on what the previous owner had been doing with the computer, the product key, if you found them, might not be of any use at all.
 

My Computer

So Vista Business is over $125 and I won't be able to buy it, instead I have to buy seven. If I download seven from internet, that would over ride vista so I don't have to enter vista key numbers. Am I correct? Let's say seven is similar price (hmm $200), that's still cheaper than buying another computer. Do you think that would be a smart thing to do?
I clicked on www.[B]ubuntu[/B].com but it's not working by the way.
Depends on your answers to these questions, I will make up my mind.
Thanks again for your help.
 

My Computer

Many have used the number on the computer to activate, reagardless of what it is called. I would try that first.
The price I gave you was the Seven price.
If you buy Seven, you will get a DVD and a Seven key number.
I think that it depends on the condition of the computer and your personal finances, if you buy a new computer.
Ubuntu worked for me, try the link, again
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Dell XPS420
    Memory
    6 gig
    Graphics Card(s)
    ATI Radeon HD3650 256 MB
    Sound Card
    Intergrated 7.1 Channel Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dell SP2009W 20 inch Flat Panel w Webcam
    Hard Drives
    640 gb
    Cooling
    Fan
    Keyboard
    Dell USB
    Mouse
    Dell USB 4 button optical
    Other Info
    DSL provided by ATT
Thank you guys, it's a desk top by the way, not a laptop.

I will look for that key, if it's not there or won't work, I'll buy the cheapest version of seven. I guess I could just go any electronic store such as Best Buy to buy it.

You guys had been helpful. Thank you for replying and helping me out.
 

My Computer

Before you activate if it does not work activate by phone.
If the nubmer is not valid a rep will come on. Before you call write down what has happened and the number on the computer, he or she may activate for you, if you are business like and have all the facts.
Vista and Seven are the same

Activate Windows 7 by Phone - Windows 7 Forums
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Dell XPS420
    Memory
    6 gig
    Graphics Card(s)
    ATI Radeon HD3650 256 MB
    Sound Card
    Intergrated 7.1 Channel Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dell SP2009W 20 inch Flat Panel w Webcam
    Hard Drives
    640 gb
    Cooling
    Fan
    Keyboard
    Dell USB
    Mouse
    Dell USB 4 button optical
    Other Info
    DSL provided by ATT
I will try to do that, thank you.
Before buying Seven, I will try ubuntu. I guess by installing ubuntu, that would over ride Windows Vista Business so I don't have to deal with vista anymore, correct?
Thank you.
 

My Computer

You can install in lieu of Vista, yes. If and when you get to that point, post and we will help.
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Dell XPS420
    Memory
    6 gig
    Graphics Card(s)
    ATI Radeon HD3650 256 MB
    Sound Card
    Intergrated 7.1 Channel Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dell SP2009W 20 inch Flat Panel w Webcam
    Hard Drives
    640 gb
    Cooling
    Fan
    Keyboard
    Dell USB
    Mouse
    Dell USB 4 button optical
    Other Info
    DSL provided by ATT
Thank you guys, it's a desk top by the way, not a laptop.

I will look for that key, if it's not there or won't work, I'll buy the cheapest version of seven. I guess I could just go any electronic store such as Best Buy to buy it.

You guys had been helpful. Thank you for replying and helping me out.

A word of caution .........
If worse comes to worst, and you need to purchase a legal Win 7 version, DO NOT go to Best Buy.
 

My Computer

To keep everything legal, be sure to read and understand the terms of an OEM. I doubt if you qualify, even if you can buy it.
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Dell XPS420
    Memory
    6 gig
    Graphics Card(s)
    ATI Radeon HD3650 256 MB
    Sound Card
    Intergrated 7.1 Channel Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dell SP2009W 20 inch Flat Panel w Webcam
    Hard Drives
    640 gb
    Cooling
    Fan
    Keyboard
    Dell USB
    Mouse
    Dell USB 4 button optical
    Other Info
    DSL provided by ATT
If not BestBuy, where else? Ebay has it probably cheaper. Thanks

Do you have broadband? If so you may want to look at Mandriva OneCD:

Download Mandriva Linux One 2010.2 | Mandriva

Even if you don't have broadband it's likely everything you need is on the one CD anyway. I'm sure there will be browsers and email clients already on when the install is complete. Only thing if you have dial up you may have to enter some information. If you are connected to Internet by a network card then it should pick it up automatically.

Ubuntu has this buzz but Mandriva is the new name of Mandrake. I've installed and used both Ubuntu and Mandrake and Mandrake is orders of magnitude smoother.

If you connect to internet via the network card rather than phone you should be up and running in about 1/2 hour depending in the speed of the machine.

And it's totally free. Tough to beat that bargain! A browser is pretty much a browser no matter which OS it's running on. For email Thunderbird is fine and has a Linux version.
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    HP Pavilion m9515y
    CPU
    Phenom X4 9850
    Memory
    8 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Some Radeon Cheapie with 512 MB Ram
    Monitor(s) Displays
    CRT
    Screen Resolution
    1280x1024
    Hard Drives
    750 GB SATA 3G
    2 SIIG Superspeed docks w/WD Caviar Black Sata II or III

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Lenovo Thinkpad T400
    CPU
    Intel Mobile Core 2 Duo P8700 @ 2.53GHz
    Motherboard
    LENOVO 64734VM
    Memory
    2.00GB Single-Channel DDR3 @ 531MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel Mobile Intel 4 Series Express Chipset Family
    Sound Card
    Conexant 20561 SmartAudio HD
    Monitor(s) Displays
    15 inch
    Screen Resolution
    1280 x 800
    Hard Drives
    1x 180GB Intel 530 series SSD
    1 x 120GB Hitachi 5400rmp
    1 x 650GB Western Digital Elements 5400rpm
    1x 1Tb Western Digital Elements 5400rpm
    Internet Speed
    Medium for New Zealand
    Other Info
    Weakest part of my computer is the graphics chipset.
    Only ever used a laptop.
    Also use USB Freeview TV Card
    Lenovo Docking Station
    External Speakers
    Other bits a pieces as needed
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