Anybody got a dead system?

[kengr]

I need Windows XP keys. Support for Win2k ends in July. I need to move the boxen to XP before then. I've got install disks for XP Pro, XP Home, and even Media Center. But if anybody has XP systems that you are scrapping, I could use the key stickers (sticker is best, but a really good photo will do. I just need to be able to read it well enough to enter a valid install key.

Eventually, I gotta move to Linux, because there's no way I'm running Vista or later (plus, I on't want to think about the (lack) of performance I'd get.

Oh yeah, working but "too small" IDE HDs are useful too. 40 gig is great, but even smaller ones are quite useful for the zoo.

Comments

[fayanora.livejournal.com]

Zoo?

[kengr]

The collection of Boxen

[dornbeast.livejournal.com]

I have an XP Home key that I don't need. How do you want to arrange this?

(I have two XP Pro keys, and I'm not computer-hungry enough to need more than a home computer and laptop.)

[kengr]

Well, if the sticker is not fastened to the case, you can just mail it to me. If it can be detached intact, ditto (I'd love to take a pair of tin snips to the cases being junked at FreeGeek, but I don't think they'd let me.)

If it can't be detached, try a scan of closeup photo and email that to me. Also advise doing that before trying to detach a sticker (unless you are doing the "demolish the case around it" method :-)

I'll check to make sure it works before you risk destroying it.

We can discuss this further in email. Use my LJ emmail to contact me and I'll respond with one I check more often.

IDE or SATA?

[morgan-gw.livejournal.com]

Or does it make a difference? When I replaced my mobo, I found I only had one IDE header, so I had to choose between the two hard drives or the two optical drives (physical config made using one of each problematic), so I bought a new SATA drive. Also, my mom has a couple of (single-digit GB IIRC) drives she may be willing to part with if I can assure her they've been suitably wiped. Dad was a pack rat, and was going to use several older/smaller drives in a system he was building. These are all IDE, so let me know and I'll double check size and availability.

Re: IDE or SATA?

[kengr]

I don't have a working system that uses SATA. Some day I'll get a CPU and RAM for the SATA equipped motherboard I've got kicking around.

Re: IDE or SATA?

[kengr]

Yoiu can reassure them that I will be reformatting the drives first thing anyway. Whjich will deal suitably with data on them.

Even 1 gig drives have their uses. One of the boxes has a removable drive "rack", with that set to be the boot drive. So I can run different OSes on it with the existing 40 gig internal drive being a "common" drive to all of them.

That's one of the reasons for hunting drives. I can test stuff with older OSes and software if I have to.