Getting Windows XP Pro for free/cheap

lunacyfoundme

Does anyone know of any programs or offers where I can get about 20 licenses or copies of Windows XP Pro for free or very cheap?

I'm looking to update a very old primary school computer lab on the cheap. I should be able to get some old PCs but they will be wiped clean so I'll need to reinstall the OS and XP would be the best fit for the age of the PCs.

Thanks.

FSL

You can get volume licences for use in education but I think they were quite expensive last time I bought some for the local school. They may not even sell XP any more.

Have you considered putting on a lightweight Linux distro like PCLinuxos or Edubuntu?

You can run a browser e.g. Firefox, email clients e.g. Thunderbird. An open source office suite like Libre Office. There are also lots of free educational software available.

If the school has any software which just runs under Windows then it will probably still install and run under Wine the Windows emulator.

It would definitely be worth installing a linux distro on one of the machines and trying it.

Assuming you have a Windows machine and if the machines you are getting are able to boot from a USB then use YUMI http://www.pendrivelinux.com/yumi-multiboot-usb-creator/ to create a bootable USB you can put several different Linux distros on it and try each one just from the USB and if you like one you can install it from the USB.

brianwalshcork

If you are purchasing old name brand xp machines, e.g. Dell, then they should still have the oem xp license - as long as the license sticker is still on them, then the license is still yours as it's tied to the hardware and non transferable.
You can then use any Dell xp media to do the OS install.
Brian

Capt'n Midnight

Microsoft are still doing XP for schools something like a tenner each.

But if the machine has a COA then you're allowed reinstall the same OS using the same media again.

lunacyfoundme

Will be getting PCs from all over the place. No telling if they'll have the original COA with them.

Linux wont be much good as the teachers would have to teach the kids how to use an OS all over again, after of course, I teach the teachers how to use it.

Microsoft are still doing XP for schools something like a tenner each.

Any idea how I go about this? Do I go to Microsoft directly or a reseller?

FSL

lunacyfoundme wrote: »

Linux wont be much good as the teachers would have to teach the kids how to use an OS all over again, after of course, I teach the teachers how to use it.

From my experience the kids know more than the teachers when it comes to computers.

Clicking an icon or choosing an application from a list is no different whatever device or OS you are using.

rolion

lunacyfoundme wrote: »

Any idea how I go about this? Do I go to Microsoft directly or a reseller?

Is called Microsoft Refurbisher Programme.
You can search through the approved organisations on Microsoft web site and chose whichever is closer to you.

I am an authorised reseller,if you pass me your contact details,i can provide you with a quote.More or less,same price applies to all resellers.

Regards.

lunacyfoundme

I looked into that alright, might go with it depending on how many PCs I get, but I'll give you a shout for a quote for handiness. Cheers.

rolion

lunacyfoundme wrote: »

I looked into that alright, might go with it depending on how many PCs I get, but I'll give you a shout for a quote for handiness. Cheers.

The PCs (i mean refurbished) from business comes with COA attached.
Are you sure you don't have them on the side of the case !?

lunacyfoundme

Havent seen the pcs yet. They may or may not do.

-Chris-

Jesus. they want to install XP on the PCs. Can people stop bleating on about Linux?

Capt'n Midnight

spannerotoole wrote: »

It is not so easy to get winxp discs from the OEM, It is much easier to install linux, install time is quicker, and if they are only learning word processing/spreadsheet skills and the web then they are more than covered.

As I said, If they are not doing anything too advanced then something like Linux Mint should be fine.

READ the charter :mad:
No Off-Topic Advocacy: When someone asks a question in relation to their current OS/browser/mailer/etc, either answer the question or don't post. If they want an alternative, they'll ask for it. Off-topic advocacy will be sent to the Recycle Bin and repeat offenders may be banned.

posts deleted

you've dragged up an old thread too