Windows XP

[Unhelpful]

So I am helping a small company set up their PCs. They got the PCs from a government auction  and most of them are functional (just pentium 4's) They all have XP product keys on them, I was wonder if I would be able to use an XP disk, and use the product keys on those computers to reformat. I think you can, since I have with windows 7, but I'm not sure. My main concern is that the people they bought the PCs from will reuse the keys, despite the fact that the keys are on the PC cases.

[willielikesmonkeys]

Using XP at all is a waste of time, end of life is in April, after that it's just a security risk if they're connected to the internet. At that point it's better to take the usability hit and just install Linux on them. I recommend a distro based on XFCE or LXDE, probably XFCE. Maybe look into CentOS or Debian.

[Unhelpful]

Using XP at all is a waste of time, end of life is in April, after that it's just a security risk if they're connected to the internet. At that point it's better to take the usability hit and just install Linux on them. I recommend a distro based on XFCE or LXDE, probably XFCE. Maybe look into CentOS or Debian.

That wasnt the question. And it isnt an option. They have windows XP product keys. The small business has very little money. They would also be uncomfortable using linux. 

[willielikesmonkeys]

UNLESS they aren't connected to the internet IN ANY WAY. At that point it doesn't even matter what product key you use, once it's activated it's activated.

[Unhelpful]

UNLESS they aren't connected to the internet IN ANY WAY. At that point it doesn't even matter what product key you use, once it's activated it's activated.

Some of the things they need to use will only work on windows. They are uncomfortable going to linux. I never asked if people thought I should put linux on them because that isnt an option. If it was I would. The question is, will I be able to use the windows xp product keys on the cases to reformat? Or do they have like an expiration date/one time use.

[aidenrelkoff]

If the keys are there, U have a disk. Then go for it. Although i would rather have linux, XP has proven it self to run like a boss . My family of four has 12 pcs in total and 7 of them run xp. three of them win 8. 2two of them Run win 7. And sadly one of them runs the hideous OSX... lol

[Unhelpful]

If the keys are there, U have a disk. Then go for it. Although i would rather have linux, XP has proven it self to run like a boss . My family of four has 12 pcs in total and 7 of them run xp. three of them win 8. 2two of them Run win 7. And sadly one of them runs the hideous OSX... lol

I wish I could throw ubuntu or mint on them, but they are using a few things that sadly only work in windows. Also these PCs will be constantly used by non-tech people, and I dont have time to teach them how to use something they arent used to. My only concern is that the people who used the product keys previously wrote them down and re-used. I also dont know if they would expire. 

[GoodBytes]

If the company has little money, then they would realize the importance of their data rather quickly when XP will compromise their data.

Perhaps getting IKEA table would have been a better choice than more expensive tables and have 0 security.

Where I work as IT, 2 years ago, we finally switch to Win7 from XP. As we had numerous attacks on our system, and virus infections that was able to turn the more limited accounts to admin (seams that the trick to do this, is known, or the same infection coming back to us), and infect our network. We even had once one that setting up a ransomeware on every computer it was able to compromise. It is a software that encrypts all personal data on the computer, and ask you to cash out serious money to get the decryption key. Don't pay, decryption key is gone, and your data is gone (has a timer). Good luck decrypting it, 'cause they usually use a strong encryption. Lucky for us, everything is on our server, and the server is not compromised, and we have hourly backups to drives, and backup to tapes on a daily basis.

[willielikesmonkeys]

I wish I could throw ubuntu or mint on them, but they are using a few things that sadly only work in windows. Also these PCs will be constantly used by non-tech people, and I dont have time to teach them how to use something they arent used to. My only concern is that the people who used the product keys previously wrote them down and re-used. I also dont know if they would expire. 

Yeah it'll work but I don't think you realize just how big of a security hole XP is, on the second Tuesday of May every single hacker in the world will have a hand written guide from Microsoft on how to get in without breaking a sweat. If they MUST use windows then it's critical they start buying win 7/8 product keys. OR take them offline completely.

[GoodBytes]

Yeah it'll work but I don't think you realize just how big of a security hole XP is, on the second Tuesday of May every single hacker in the world will have a hand written guide from Microsoft on how to get in without breaking a sweat. If they MUST use windows then it's critical they start buying win 7/8 product keys. OR take them offline completely.

XP security is a joke today. Microsoft can't fix it, only put more patch on a wall that is more patch than wall, and the patches are all cracked everywhere. That was the main reason why they scraped XP (based on 1993 Windows NT 3), and start from pretty much scratch with Vista, which took 6 years of development. They did this the moment XP was release, as it was a huge undertaking.

[Unhelpful]

Yeah it'll work but I don't think you realize just how big of a security hole XP is, on the second Tuesday of May every single hacker in the world will have a hand written guide from Microsoft on how to get in without breaking a sweat. If they MUST use windows then it's critical they start buying win 7/8 product keys. OR take them offline completely.

 

If the company has little money, then they would realize the importance of their data rather quickly when XP will compromise their data.

Perhaps getting IKEA table would have been a better choice than more expensive tables and have 0 security.

Where I work as IT, 2 years ago, we finally switch to Win7 from XP. As we had numerous attacks on our system, and virus infections that was able to turn the more limited accounts to admin (seams that the trick to do this, is known, or the same infection coming back to us), and infect our network. We even had once one that setting up a ransomeware on every computer it was able to compromise. It is a software that encrypts all personal data on the computer, and ask you to cash out serious money to get the decryption key. Don't pay, decryption key is gone, and your data is gone (has a timer). Good luck decrypting it, 'cause they usually use a strong encryption. Lucky for us, everything is on our server, and the server is not compromised, and we have hourly backups to drives, and backup to tapes on a daily basis.

All they have to use are pentium 4s with 256-512mb of ram. Period. They dont have the money for anything better. They cant run 7/8, and couldnt get the keys for 7 anyways. Linux IS NOT AN OPTION.  

[GoodBytes]

Ok. But don't complain after.

In your position, I would say it is a no go.

P.S: I had Vista run on a Pentium 3 800MHz with 512MB of RAM. VISTA.

It wasn't pretty, has to disable all services, and of course, no drivers, but it worked. I am sure Win7 and Win8 would have run better.

[Unhelpful]

Ok. But don't complain after.

In your position, I would say it is a no go.

P.S: I had Vista run on a Pentium 3 800MHz with 512MB of RAM. VISTA.

It wasn't pretty, has to disable all services, and of course, no drivers, but it worked. I am sure Win7 and Win8 would have run better.

Sorry to sound rude.. But it literally is NOT MY CHOICE. I tried talking them into going with linux, nope. I tried getting them to upgrade PCs, lack of money, and not enough $$ for 5 product keys anyways.

[GoodBytes]

ah ok. My apologies.

[Unhelpful]

ah ok. My apologies.

My main hope is that XP will get them through the year with no issues, then eventually getting some better PCs.

[willielikesmonkeys]

My main hope is that XP will get them through the year with no issues, then eventually getting some better PCs.

Thats VERY optimistic. Basically tell them what they're asking for isn't possible and if you aren't a friend of someone there I'd give them your card and tell them to call again when they're serious. It's sad but true, they're asking for something that just doesn't exist and they need to get it through their head that if they want to make a quality product, whatever it may be, they have to spend money on their tools. It's like a blacksmith trying to melt metal with his oven because it's all he had around. It can't end well. 

 

But please, is there any way you can take those machines offline at the very LEAST.

[willielikesmonkeys]

Sorry to sound rude.. But it literally is NOT MY CHOICE. I tried talking them into going with linux, nope. I tried getting them to upgrade PCs, lack of money, and not enough $$ for 5 product keys anyways.

It's sad when businesses don't want to listen to the expert, it's like a person going to a mechanic, having them say a car isn't safe to drive, and then be surprised when it breaks down. 

 

Other than just giving them your card, if you know the owner or however you got talked into helping them, you should see if taking out a loan is an option. 

[Almercenary]

Should work, It works with 98 if that helps....I guess XP is solid enough, unfortunately this is true:

 

It's sad when businesses don't want to listen to the expert, it's like a person going to a mechanic, having them say a car isn't safe to drive, and then be surprised when it breaks down. 

[CraftyMiner88]

Well windows xp isnt going off support "officialy" on april 8th, this is

supported for another 5 years:

http://youtu.be/JP_n7V5AtKM

Download: http://www.microsoft.com/en-ca/download/details.aspx?id=11196

Product key: KFF8R-TMHF4-GKT2P-KGDHH-FXPMB

This could help that company or whatever if they want windows xp

(Just put the iso on a disk)

[willielikesmonkeys]

Well windows xp isnt going off support "officialy" on april 8th, this is

supported for another 5 years:

http://youtu.be/JP_n7V5AtKM

Download: http://www.microsoft.com/en-ca/download/details.aspx?id=11196

Product key: KFF8R-TMHF4-GKT2P-KGDHH-FXPMB

This could help that company or whatever if they want windows xp

(Just put the iso on a disk)

Keep in mind when they say support, they mean "support." Security Essential may or may not work, you're also technically using an illegal version, don't use IE since it's stuck on 8, and again I stand by my old statement, try to get them to take out a loan if you have to but I guess this is better than nothing. 

[GoodBytes]

[retracted]

[Unhelpful]

I have a feeling that this is will happen:

-> One day the system will be compromised, and compromising the company network, JoeyDM will be blamed because he didn't speak up enough, when he will say 'I told you so'.

-> If he pushes the company to get funds in some fashion to get Win7, he will blamed for causing training issues, costing more for the company, or see no security issue, and be blamed for costing overhead to the company.

While I am clueless about the entire company, a company that has no budget for IT infrastructure, suggests that it is either a failing business, so JoeyDM will be out of job soon in any case, unless it gets extremely lucky and gain some contract or what not to revive the company. But it will eventually go down due to miss management, or it's run by clueless manager that skip the chapter in their intro to business class on how IT is important in today's world.

Sorry I misread it.

[GoodBytes]

Hey I was defending you. Suggesting that we all face such hard problem, and that I was in similar boat. I didn't say you didn't push it. I am NOT blaming anything on you. I think you are doing the best you can.

[WAI]

Jesus for the love of F*ing god i have read this whole thread and all i read is linux this and linux that! for the OP's matter....

 

all i can say is good luck buddy. yeah, XP is not going to be supported BUT that doesn't mean you can't still use it as i'm sure there are some companies that will still support it afterwards far as firewall, anti-virus, Malware software goes.  

[willielikesmonkeys]

Jesus for the love of F*ing god i have read this whole thread and all i read is linux this and linux that! for the OP's matter....

 

all i can say is good luck buddy. yeah, XP is not going to be supported BUT that doesn't mean you can't still use it as i'm sure there are some companies that will still support it afterwards far as firewall, anti-virus, Malware software goes.  

This issue isn't so much just having support for an antivirus, it's that windows itself isn't very well made and has alot of holes in it. And when microsoft releases a patch for 7/8 they won't have for xp and that means malware authors can just look at the patch and have a clear way of compromising the system. And a 1 1/2 page thread isnt THAT long.