I just bought a dell computer from a retailer. it had a windows xp label on it i think a trial. how can i tell

If you bought it directly from Dell it shoudl be the full version. Now if you got it from Best Buy or some other retailer like that, than more than likely it is a demo version. With a trial version though, you will usually get a pop-up that will inform you that it is a trial and when it will expire every time you go into a windows based program - i.e. Word or Excel. If you do need to get the full version, you do not have to get it online, you can probably go back to the same retail place and buy the full version (which will depend on what system you are running, but will usually run around $100).

Good luck to you.

Here's what you do to find out.

1. Open "Start", bottom left button.

2. Open "Control Panel"

3. Open "System"

A window will pop up, and the information will be right there. I'm pretty sure it's not a trial, if you can't use Microsoft Office, than it's office that is a trial. And you can usually find activation codes floating around the internet.

You should have received a CD and some booklets inside the packing box. You should have OEM XP which means it will only run on your computer. The CD will not install XP on another machine.

If you got the computer without the Dell box, it means the retailer has the CD. Dell or the retailer should help you with another CD.

If it is a trial xp, the retailer should have told you. Did you get a special price or something? Go to the start menu, and click on windows updates, and if you get the updates, it is probably a good one.or you can click on tools, and you will find windows updates there...Good Luck..

At present, all dell computers ship with MSFT operating systems. All you have to do is call them and ask for a reinstall cd, which they will gladly ship to you fedex. They are authentic because the service tag is registered with MSFT.

it shouldnt be a trial .. however u may need to activate it online ...

Its not a trial dumbass