Petrus Tax wrote:

> hesitated to put another OS on the computer because some of the drivers
> would be gone and not always easy to replace.

If it is a pre-built (branded) host, have you looked at their web site to
see if they offer the drivers? They may have a complete package of them for
the model that you have.

> (The local previous owner still had the XP original label on the computer,
> which was the one in use, but he didn't pass on the CD to me.)

Which means the donor kept the OS and only donated the hardware to you. So
you don't have a legal copy of the OS to pass onto the donee. Just wipe the
disks and give away the hardware. Are you really going to put the donee in
the position of using a pirated copy of the OS without their knowledge?

You didn't mention brand and model. Some pre-builts don't include an
install CD but instead rely on a hidden partition on the hard disk from
which to restore a factory-time image. The manual should tell you how to
restore the host to its factory-time state along with how to create install
CDs (since hard disks do die so you need the CDs to restore the OS). The
manual will be available online.

If the prior owner jobbed their own host (i.e., they built it) then they
will have the install CD and must surrender them if they include that OS
with the hardware. If it is an OEM version (sometimes "OEM" will be in the
product ID on the sticker) then the prior owner must surrender the install
media since the OEM license permanently sticks to the first computer on
which it is installed.

You might be doing good deeds with the donated computers but you had better
make sure that you aren't proliferating piracted copies of not just Windows
but any applications left installed on the polluted hard disk. For safety
of both the donor and donee, the hard disks should get wiped. This is to
prevent the donor from accidentally transferring sensitive information (bank
accounts, login credentials, credit card numbers) onto the next owner and
prevent the donee from receiving possibly incriminating content (****,
kiddie crap, pirated software, stolen movies/songs, etc).

If you are assisting in the transfer of donated computers, you SHOULD be
wiping their hard disks and installing a fresh copy of the OS (and if it is
payware, like Windows, then you need to ensure a proper transfer of the
license and all installation media). If you are transferring the goods "as
is" then you shouldn't be doing any of the work you mentioned to clean up
the computer. You might get some good legal tips from your local pawn shop
in how to cover your legal butt when transferring used goods.