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Can I sell a laptop with Windows XP on it, if it did not come with it?

I have an old laptop I want to sell. It came with Windows ME, needless to say, I put Windows XP on it some time ago but it is finally of no use to me anymore. Besides formatting it and reinstalling Windows XP, can I sell it with Windows XP installed since it did not come with it. I am also using the CDs I got from my college (site license). This is for eBay. I don't want Microsoft suits busting down my door...

9 Answers

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  • 1 decade ago
    Favorite Answer

    Yes you can. As long as the copy of XP is legit, you can sell the laptop with XP on it as long as you mention in your auction that you have installed XP over ME.

    In fact, the price of your laptop increased because of the reintall since XP is pricier than ME and you will probably have a better time selling it since noone really wants ME on their system anymore.

    The only problem you might encounter is the fact that most people who buy laptops or computers from ebay expect to have a restoration CD or a Windows CD that comes with the computer in case they need to reformat. You need to be VERY descriptive and let the buyer know what is included in the package.

    You wont have microsoft knocking on your door. 1/3 Microsoft XP users have either installed a copy of Windows or they installed it in multiple computers. Its not detectable, but that Microsoft Genuine check is really annoying.

    There is a fix for the genuine check.

  • 1 decade ago

    Yes U can sell ur laptop, Stick the CD-KEy label to the Laptop bottom and with the laptop U also need to give the XP CD, and the necessary device Drivers CD's if any.

  • Anonymous
    1 decade ago

    You can sell it since you said it has a site license or also called an Enterprise license. You may want to find out from your college IT department whether it will create any issues since it is part of an overall "blanket' license. Microsoft has really buckled down on licensing and will not blink an eye to fine an organization or person $25,000.

  • 1 decade ago

    You can as long as you are not using the same copy on anything else, and it might be nice for you to include the XP disks just in case the people need them to do a reinstall.

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  • 1 decade ago

    You can sell it but the thing is you cant use the same copy for your next computer. I also would suggest that you give the cd of XP to the buyer because they might want to reboot or give them the ME version instead its all up to you

  • 1 decade ago

    You probably can. However..... knowing how Micro$oft feels about unauthorized use of their products, if you purchased the academic version of XP through your college bookstore, technically it can only be used by students, faculty or other Micro$oft approved people.

    Here's a toll-free number to Micro$oft's tech support.

    1-866-234-6020

    Ask them your question. You won't have to give any personal info about yourself and it might save the buyer headaches down the road if Micro$oft uses their WGA software to validate academic versions.

  • P P
    Lv 5
    1 decade ago

    If it is a legal copy yes and as lon as you hand over the disks and not use that copy on any other machine.

  • Anonymous
    1 decade ago

    my opinion would be to reformat it an put the origonal windows ME back in it (if possible)

  • 1 decade ago

    yes

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