Just came through my inbox this morning:
HP Compaq dc7800 SFF Desktop PC
• Refurbished with 30 Days Warranty
• Intel E6850 Core 2 Duo 3.0GHz
• 4GB RAM
• 160GB HDD
• DVD-ROM
• Keyboard & Mouse included
• Windows XP Professional COA / Sticker / Key (Please note Windows CD NOT included)
• Windows not installed
Very Limited Stock
The price does NOT include shipping and will be extra depending on your location. A shipping calculator is on the site.
Sounds about the right price, could be cheaper. Not so much bargain.
Similar spec at expresspcparts for $189:
http://www.expresspcparts.com.au/Items/pc-597-dc7800-e6550-4…
+1
This is the normalish price. It is only $10 less than the price was 2 weeks ago (according to google cache).
There's no bargain here.
I am sure mwave knows more than me, but I have been unable to install windows WITHOUT the original and 'compatible' disc. ie when my old xp died, I had the sticker on the box and the generic copy of xp I had would not activate and MS told me I need the original disc, so I have 2 desktops with xp stickers that I cannot use.
you probably need to do a bit of research on OEMBIOS and SLP etc to make your XP compatible. refer these links:
http://forums.mydigitallife.info/threads/9795-The-Windows-XP…
and stickys here:
http://forums.mydigitallife.info/forums/5-Windows-XP-Previou…
you need to change the license file on the cd and reburn it to an new CD to create an OEM CD… plenty of docco on the net for it… its actually legit and your not doing anything dodgy…
OEM keys only work on OEM cds.
retail for retail etc…
typically for most OEM manufacturers you dont need to enter the key when installing windows OEM as its embedded in the bios. (if its not then you need to enter it)
edit: damn beaten by three minutes! (note: you shouldnt have to do anything with the BIOS, just get an OEM version cd of windows (or make your own))
Ditto to this.
abacus probably tried to use an OEM key on a "corporate" pirated version of XP Pro. Any standard OEM version of the XP Pro CD (available the same places you got the dodgy version, or through MSDN subscription) should work with an HP or any other brand OEM sticker.
2 years ago I got a DC7700 from ebay for $150… still working well to this day.
30 days warranty? On a $230 machine that has seen extensive use? This is asking for trouble.
i agree 30 days is not enough, otherwise i would buy. cttt might rule they are liable for a longer amount of time but for the price it would not be worth fighting so just not worth getting to start with
To be safe you should expect it to fail within a few months of purchase, not a big deal if you can replace the faulty part yourself.