XP?

[NYCLiz]

It's been a tough year so when my old laptop was at the brink of croaking, I bought a used laptop...and I got stuck with a bootleg version of Windows 7. This sucks not only because they phone home many times per day, but I cannot download updates for my windows mobile phone because when I try, it catches that Windows 7 is not genuine. (Why did I not get a Droid phone?)

I just want to get Windows XP and be done with this, but now I hear about all of the problems buying software on ebay. Should I just go straight to the source? I was trying to save a few bucks, but not if it means more problems from Windows. Thanks.

[jeffweico]

I wouldn't trust ANY "discounted" versions of Windows. Microsoft does not do "fire sales". If a Microsoft product normally costs $100, Best Buy may have a sale for $89.99, but the price for a legitimate copy won't go much below that.

Everyone I know who tried to save money by purchasing Windows 7 on eBay tells me the same thing. The software works OK for about 30 days, then the desktop goes black and they get messages that "Windows is Not Genuine".