Hard Drives with Windows XP Pre-Installed

[mysticgohan17]

Anyone know if these:
a) are legal to sell
b) even exist
c) can be bought online

[holistic]

Seriously doubt it.

The OS needs to know your : mobo, video, sound etc in order to install th correct drivers.

[gmatov]

Actually, these sound as though they are OEM overstock,smaller than what is the standard issue today.

OEM drives have a ton of drivers already installed, per your Compaq, Dell, Gateway.

Any combination of hardware they sell has the corresponding software already on the drive.

Should you doubt me, if you have one of these makers machines, just boot into safe mode, click on each device and see how many are listed that you know damn well have never been even near your machine.

They are cloned drives, most likely tied to a proprietary BIOS, and if you should have to re-install from the "Help" folder, might just tell you it is only for that brand machine.

It might run XP when you install as C:\ drive, might look at the BIOS and say, uh-uh, Compaq, Dell, Gateway only.. And, not all, just one or the other.

If it's cheap enough, try it, wipe and re-install if you have to. Just remember, the OS will be dedicated. It's why you don't get an install code when you buy one of the OEM machines, you can only install to the machine it came with, or another with the BIOS from that particular OEM.

Cheers,

George