Buying a refurbished Dell with no Operating System????

So, all that needs to be done would be to get the Windows disc at a store and install it?  That would be pretty simple.  I was hoping that there wasn't much more to it than that.  For once, I am relieved with an answer like that.  Thanks so much for your reply!!!

~Jackie

I would recommend your friend check out Dell's refurbished site.  The cheapest machine I saw (just now) was $359 (delivered, no shipping or tax if you're not in Texas) for a Dell 2350 with a 1.8GHz Celeron processor, 30GB HD, 256MB DDR RAM, 56K Modem, 48X CDROM, 48X24/48 CDRW, 1 year warranty supported by Dell and XP Home Edition (the O/S).  You have to add a monitor, but after that you have a complete system.

You're friend is far better off with something like above.

You can pick up those Optiplex machines for 100 - 300 (+ tax and shipping), but the machine will be much slower, have a small hard drive 6.4 to 10GB hard drive, you won't get an operating system, modem, CD burner, much RAM, word processing software or much of a warranty.  Most likely this machine won't include a monitor either, and if it does it's probably not going to be very good.

Check it out. http://outlet.us.dell.com/Dispatcher?target=InventoryPage&action=sort&sortColumn=price&lob=DIM&sessionID=2oXujidd!1414640806!1790888040!1051236206584&tgtSeg=I

If your friend can afford around $600 for the machine, they can pick up a Dell 8250 which is a pretty darn good machine for the money.  At least a P4 2.4GHz processor, 256MB PC1066 RDRAM (very good), etc...   

Oh yeah, the dell small business section has a 2350 for $399 (after rebates) with a P4 2.2GHz, 30GB 7200RPM HD, 256 DDR RAM, 48X24X48 CD burner, and a 17" monitor.  I think you pay tax for a business model, but shipping is still free.  That's about as cheap as it's likely to get.

http://www.dell.com/us/en/bsd/default.htm

Message Edited by SSGTZ on 04-24-2003 11:46 PM

If your friend already has (or can get ahold of) a copy of Windows 98 it may be a decent deal, but if your friend has to actually purchase Windows 98, then any sort of good deal pretty much goes out the window.

That 2350 for $399 that SSGTZ mentioned would be an awesome deal. I don't know where he found that computer for that price, but I couldn't duplicate it. You CAN get one for $399, but it will be a 2.2 P4, 128 mb ram, NO monitor, and no speakers.  

The cheapest 2350 REFURB unit I saw is $329. It is a Celeron 1.8, 256 mb ram, CDRW, 30 gb hard drive.

IMHO, even if the computer and OS your friend is looking at only costs $100, the 2350 is still a MUCH better value.

Blitzer, are you saying the Dell OEM XP disks can be put on several Dell machines (duh, I know that's what you said)?  How does that work regarding activation, I assume MS generates a new activation key for each machine - yes?  Also, you said it would only work on Dells - even old Dells?  If that's the case I'm going to get one.  There's nothing I hate worse than MS activation.

One more cool thing (I know I'm starting to sound like a cheerleader, trust me I don't work for them.), their refurbished site is the best I've found.  You have complete control to search for exactly what your looking for, and you do the math as to whether it's a good deal or not.  For example, you can sort the entire inventory by price.

The inventory changes constantly so the deals change constantly (every few minutes).  Every time you go to the refurbs it's like a new sale - whoopee!!!  The carrot is usually $200 - $500 off and free shipping I'm still amazed at the value of the 8250 deals.  I paid $610 for a 8250 with P4 2.4GHz/30GB 5400RPM (the weakest link of my setup)/256MB PC1066/48X CD ROM (no burner).  I'm still quite happy with it.  I added a 80GB WD SE and a CD burner.  In the end I paid an extra $100.

Since then I've seen a similar deal for $600 with a 60GB 7200 RPM HD/48X CDROM and 48X24X48 burner.  That's an absolute steal.  The funny thing is, I'm addicted to that section and I find myself going there just to see whats new.  I need help.

I know someone  who installed XP Professional on their 4300S. They just borrowed the XP Pro CD and copied the XP key from another computer where they work, and it was no problem.

One thing you cannot install from machine to machine (unless someone knows of a workaround) is Office XP. When you install and/or activate it, it goes on-line to activate, and you'll get a message to the effect that the version of Office XP you're trying to activate has already been activated on another computer.

SSGTZ -

That's exactly what I'm saying.  Simply put the disk in your cdrom, restart computer, press F2 to enter bios, select "boot from cdrom", the system will then automatically restart and bring you to the windows menu and begin the reinstallation process.  NO cd key is needed, NO activation is needed, NO limit to the number of computers you can install it on provided they are all Dell machines.  I believe it will work on older Dell computers, but I know first hand that it works on all Dell computers that come with WinXP preinstalled.  I have three Dell computers, two shipped with WinXP Home, the other with WinXP Pro, and I've installed the WinXP Pro on all my computers with that one disc. 

Message Edited by Blitzzer on 04-25-2003 06:01 PM

Autocadder -

We're not going to indulge into a heavy discussion about how to pirate software or anything, but assuming you are the licensed owner of your copy of Office XP and knowing that Microsoft classifies this program as a productivity suite and therefore allows the owner to install the program on both their desktop and their laptop, I'll give you a little tip on how to transfer your legally purchased program from your desktop to your "laptop" computer without having to hassle with activation.  Once the program is installed and activated on a pc, simply "zip" the office folder, and burn that zip file to disk.   On your laptop, create a folder in "program files" and drag the zip file from your cd to that folder and extract.  Run setup, enter cd-key, and you're done.  If you click the "activation" link, it'll simply state that you have already activated, and don't need to do so again.

jaxn99,

Checkout this site for good buys on new computers from Dell ie, a D/4550 for $339.00 free shipping, CD/RW
http://www.dealcatcher.com/deals.asp?search_word=dell&view_type=4&featured=1

Bev.

No problem!!