When you buy a computer, used or new, you won't be able to use it unless it has an operating system installed on it. Windows is by far the most popular operating system in the world, installed on over 90 percent of all personal computers and laptops. When buying a computer through Ebay, first make certain it actually has an operating system already installed on it, unless you are planning on installing your own. If a particular ad makes no mention of Windows or other operating system, either ask the seller about it or assume there is none installed. A mention of a Windows CoA sticker does not imply there is a corresponding operating system installed; if in doubt ask before bidding.

The new Windows Vista has been released for public sale.  We will be reviewing each version of it as we get the opportunity to test it out under real conditions.  Before you rush out and buy this new operating system, carefully read the hardware requirements first, or your Vista experience might be regrettable.  Download and run the "Vista Upgrade Advisor" before doing anything.  It will basically tell you to have at least 512 MB of RAM to run Vista Home Basic, and at least 1 GB of RAM to run the other versions of Vista.  If your computer is an older model, note that it also requires a 1000 MHz or 1.0 GHz processor or CPU or above.  Now here is where the requirements get tricky:  Vista wants 64 MB of video RAM for Home Basic, or at least 128 MB of avalable video RAM for the other versions.  If you don't know what you've got in terms of video memory, the best hope to find out is to go to Start/ All Programs/Accessories/System Tools/System Information.   In System Information on the left under System Summary find the plus sign next to Components and click it.  Another list appears, find Display and click on it.  Soon a list of information appears in the box, look in the list for Adapter RAM.  If you have 64 MB of video memory it will say so here, or whatever the amount is for your computer.  If it says N/A you're out of luck as far as finding out what your video RAM is.  In some cases you will have to purchase a video card for your desktop computer to make your Vista experience satisfactory, a card of at least 128 MB video memory that is not shared with the motherboard's memory (RAM).   Using a good video card will solve the video problems with Vista.  If you run Vista without an add-on video card and appear to have enough video memory from the motherboard but are still having video problems (for example, very poor video quality in fullscreen mode), you need to get to the motherboard and/or chipset manufacturer"s website to download the latest video drivers pertaining to Vista.  Also make sure the screen resolution is properly adjusted in Control Panel.  Please don't install Vista on your laptop unless you're absolutely certain the laptop is "Vista ready", meaning certified for Windows Vista.

Is Vista the right operating system for you?  It hasn't gained the automatic acceptance everyone assumed it would have.  My personal choice at the moment is Windows XP.  Vista is interesting, but annoying and somewhat difficult to use at times.  The main annoyance is the built-in security system which triggers endless halts and prompts that ask you for permission to continue. (This security function can be disabled, which many do against the advice of Microsoft.) Some software and hardware still won't work properly with Vista.  The layout of the operating system has changed from XP, we find it different rather than better as far as ease of use.  However, if you are security conscious Vista is superior because it is impossible to hack, unless disabling the security system.  It is not immune to viruses should you unintentionally download one, and you should still use a good anti-virus software with Vista.

Windows Vista Home Basic - This is the least expensive version of Vista.  Home Basic has no DVD playing software installed on it, just like XP and all previous versions of Windows.  However, most older DVD software will not work correctly with Vista, because they are incompatible! There are some cheaper updated versions of Nero popping up on ebay that will work with Vista. If you buy Vista Home Premium, which includes DVD playing capabilities, you won't have to update your existing DVD software unless you prefer Nero or Power DVD. Vista Home Basic also lacks some of the optical effects built into the other versions.  It does feature the "gadgets" the other versions have for the most part.  Home Basic requires 64 MB of available video memory, and 512 MB of RAM.

Windows Vista Home Premium - You must first be certain that your computer meets the hardware standards required.  It requires at least 128 MB of available video memory, in other words you'll probably need a separate video card of 128 MB or more, or a Vista-certified motherboard.  Also recommended is at least 1 GB of RAM.  If you don't have these first, do not buy Vista Premium.  Installing Home Premium was easy; Vista instantly recognized my nVidia video card.  Home Premium has its own DVD maker and player included.  It also has its own media center for all video and audio functions. It has some new features not seen before, like "gadgets" that sit on your desktop telling you all sorts of things like time, weather, news headlines and more, plus floating and semi-transparent optical features.   This is the Vista version of choice for many people, more functional than Home Basic and less expensive than Ultimate.

Windows Vista Business - Has the same appearence and requirements as Vista Home Premium, but also lacks any DVD playing or recording function or media center like Vista Home Basic.  Is suggested for business networking applications.  We haven't yet tested its networking capabilities.  The average home user is better off with Vista Home Premium.  All versions of Vista and XP have the ability to easily create a home network, if needed.

Windows Vista Ultimate - The most expensive version of Vista.  Microsoft lists the RRP as $399US, making it quite overpriced in our opinion.  It functions nearly exactly the same as Vista Home Premium, except it combines that with the extras built into Vista Business which merely have to do with business networking. 

Windows XP is a desirable system to use, it is user-friendly with a number of features previous systems lack. The two most popular versions of it are Windows XP Home Edition and Windows XP Professional. Home Edition costs less than XP Professional.  XP Professional is recommended for business applications, particularly those involving networking, but otherwise works much the same as Home Edition. For the home user, both deliver excellent performance for all your basic computer needs. Two "Service Packs" have been released with Windows XP; if the version you have lacks one or both SPs by turning on Automatic Updates Microsoft will update your computer until you have Service Pack 2 fully installed. It requires at least 128 MB of RAM, though we prefer at least 256 MB or more.

Those unfamiliar with installing Windows XP and Vista need to know that it contains a program called WPA or Windows Product Activation. Microsoft gives you 30 days to activate your copy of XP/Vista, after which the operating system would no longer function. Activation can be done on-line or by telephone by following the instructions posted on-screen. Once Microsoft recognizes your copy of XP/Vista as legal and legitimate, you won't have to worry about activation again unless for some reason you later have to re-install the operating system. Activation again can be done on-line or by telephone if the on-line activation doesn't go through.  Once your new copy of XP/Vista has been installed, it cannot be legally installed on any other computer unless you remove XP/Vista from the computer you installed it on and are able to obtain telephone activation from Microsoft after installing it on your new computer.  Microsoft only wants one copy of its operating system installed on one computer only; it considers installing the same copy of Windows on more than one computer to be illegal use of the software.

When buying a computer, be certain before bidding that you know what version of Windows is on it, and if it is Windows XP, whether that copy of Windows is legal and activated. Don't assume that because a PC or laptop is said to have a Windows XP COA (Certificate of Authenticity) sticker on it that the sticker means anything.  Some sellers have loaded an illegal copy onto the computer you are buying. All might appear well until Microsoft happens to download its unpopular WGA update onto the computer. Windows Genuine Advantage is a program that sniffs out illegal copies of Windows XP and begins to plaster the screen with notifications that the software is not genuine.  You would have to pay a stiff fee to Microsoft to get your computer legalised, comparable to buying a whole new copy of XP.  Some Ebay sellers are notorious for "pre-loading" their computers with XP without explaining whether or not the loaded copy is a legal one.  Even if the 30 day activation process appears to be absent, you could still get stuck with the headache of being constantly notified by Microsoft that you are using what they see as illegal software.  Ask the seller, before bidding, what XP they are using.  If they cannot provide the original XP CD or recovery disk the computer came with or was upgraded with, something is wrong.  While there are temporary methods available to get rid of the nagging WGA notifications, the only way to stop Microsoft from reinstalling them again and again is by turning off Automatic Updates, which would leave your computer more vulnerable to hackers and viruses.   

All pre-XP versions of Windows lack WPA and WGA. You don't have to activate Windows and won't be notified if the software is not considered genuine.  You only need to type in the correct code from the COA while installing the operating system and it will work just fine. However, older versions of Windows lack many of the pleasant features of XP, but are still useable.

Windows 2000 is the best of the pre-XP versions of Windows. It was the direct predecessor of XP and uses the same stable NTFS formatting that XP does. Otherwise it is rather barebones, but not difficult to use. It is much less likely to "crash" and freeze up than the earlier Windows.  It should be updated to its latest Service Pack, SP4, for best results, and needs to be updated from Internet Explorer 5 to IE6.  This is done via Windows Updates.  You may also have to do some searching for drivers for your computer hardware by going to your computer manufacturer's website.

Windows 98 and its later version Windows ME are not recommended. Microsoft has stopped supporting these and considers them out-of-date. They still do work well enough, but are not as developed as XP in terms of user-friendly characteristics. They are slower and more awkward systems, with a notorious tendency to freeze and the "blue screen of death". Windows 95 likewise is even more primitive by current standards, and has all but disappeared from common usage.

If buying a copy of Windows through Ebay, don't buy anything that is suspiciously cheap in price as the results can be quite disappointing. Don't buy a branded recovery disk, as these can only be used by particular types of computers in particular situations only or they will not work at all. Don't buy a used copy of XP, as it likely will not activate. XP should be still in its original packaging, not unwrapped, with the COA inside.

And finally, if you've bought a copy of Windows you will need to install it. If you've never done that before, consult with someone who knows how to do it. It's not difficult once you know what to do. You have to get the computer to boot from the CD. That means first turn on the computer, put the CD in and then turn off the computer. When you restart it, you should see a message for "press any key to boot from CD". Do so and follow all instructions. If this message doesn't come up, you may have to adjust the boot order in your computer's BIOS or setup so that the CD boots before the hard drive (HDD) does, not after. During the installation process you will have to delete the previous contents of the hard drive when prompted. If you are only doing an upgrade, not a complete re-install, you don't have to follow this procedure. Just load the CD after your current version of Windows has booted up and follow the instructions. You may need to have a copy of your current version of Windows in order to successfully finish the upgrade if you have purchased the upgrade-only version instead of the full version of Windows.  If, after a reinstall, you find some of your computer's hardware isn't functioning correctly, you'll have to go to the computer's and/or motherboard's manufacturer website to search for the correct drivers for your hardware.