Buying a Dell Desktop w/Ubuntu installed...

[iotone]

Does anyone know if this is possible? I want to get my dad a new computer for his bday, but I'm a bit short on cash. I've seen some deals on a Dell desktop with Ubuntu pre-installed, and I have an extra WinXP key to use now that I've upgraded to Vista. Anyone know if there is any issues with wiping out Ubuntu and just putting Windows on it? I figure there shouldn't be, but I just wanted to make sure.

Thanks in advance!

 

[xSauronx]

im not certain, but if you used that xp key to upgrade to vista, you may not be able to legally use it again.

even if im wrong, youd need to see if windows XP drivers are available for whatever hardware you have.

it may not hurt to let him try ubuntu, its a damn fine OS, and unless he has very specific needs for some software he may be just fine using it

 

[iotone]

I did a fresh Vista install, so that XP key should still be available.

I agree that Ubunto is a damn fine OS, but there are certain Windows programs that my dad really likes to use. And oddly enough, one of his favorite sites still uses Windows Media to stream video.

I suppose I'll buy it and if Window doesn't work out I can see if I can get him to use Ubuntu exclusively.

 

[boomhower]

You'll be fine. As far as I can tell they are the same parts as the Windows version, you'll just need to download the driver for it. Back to your Windows key. If it was a retail copy you will be fine to use it again. If it was OEM either on the system when you bought it or if you purchased an OEM copy you will not be able to re-use it. Pretty much the only way to re-use a Windows key is if it was a retail copy and it has been wiped from the previous machine it was installed on. This is not counting Enterprise, Corporate, or other business editions.

 

[iotone]

Thanks for the info. It was a boxed retail version, so I'm not too concerned.

Thanks for all the help!

 

[bamacre]

Yeah, you're gonna be fine.