Thank you, VanguardLH, for your comments aand evaluation of my case. It is
indeed better and safer to clean the HD, put another OS on it and then
download a set of drivers for this Dell computer, if still needed.
Petrus
..
"VanguardLH" <V@nguard.LH> wrote in message
news:hodtb8$6vb$1@news.albasani.net...
> 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.