BeachgalSuz wrote:

> I am the Librarian at my children's school. A parent saw that the
> library didn't have a computer, so she bought one at a yard sale.
> She said that the man told her the computer works "just fine". He
> even gave her the Windows XP Home Edition disk, in case there were
> any problems. Well, we decided it was best to re-install Windows XP
> due to problems.


Good! If I bought a used computer, the first thing I would do with it would
be to reinstall the operating system cleanly. You have no idea how the
computer has been maintained, what has been installed incorrectly, what is
missing, what viruses and spyware there may be, etc. I wouldn't want to live
with somebody else's mistakes and problems, possibility of kiddy porn, etc.,
and I wouldn't recommend that anyone else do either.



> It downloaded perfectly


To "download" is normally to transfer a file from somewhere on the internet
to your computer. What you mean is not "it downloaded perfectly," but "it
installed perfectly."


> but I keep getting the
> message to complete registration. The problem, WE DON'T HAVE THE
> INTERNET AT SCHOOL!! How can I register the product?!?


You mean "activate," not "register." Registration is completely optional,
and has no benefit to you. It's used only for Microsoft's marketing
purposes. It's activation that is mandatory.

You should have been given an 800 number to call and activate. No need to
have an internet connection.


> I thought about bringing the computer home and using my connection,
> but would that make the computer registered to my account?


No. Activation is completely anonymous. It ties the copy of Windows to the
*hardware*, not to the person.

You could activate either by bringing it home or by by calling the 800
number. Either works, but I'd choose the 800 number because it's easier.

--
Ken Blake - Microsoft MVP Windows: Shell/User
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