Operating Systems

[buzzyb]

Hi All,

I've been given a laptop which needs to have an operating system uploaded.

Can I have some help with the following:

1) What is an operating system
2) Where can I get one from
3) Is it easy to upload
4) I bought Windows 2012 - is this the operating system or just the software to enable me to put together documents etc.

thanks

[rojash]

1) An operating system is the underlying software that controls a computer - examples are Windows, Linux, OsX.
2) You can buy one suitable for a typical laptop from Microsoft, or Amazon
3) You don't upload it, you install it. Yes it's easy.
4) There is no such thing as Windows 2012

[rojash]

...your cheapest option for a mainstream operating system is Windows 8 Pro upgrade. But whether or not your laptop is capable of running it will depend on its age and spec.

You can buy it here for 25 quid http://windows.microsoft.com/en-GB/windows/buy

And here is how to do a clean install: http://pcsupport.about.com/od/windows-8/a/clean-install-windows-8-upgrade.htm

[Garibaldi2]

A Microsoft operating system for £25 – err no, it’s an upgrade package.

Expect to pay from £70 for the latest Microsoft operating systems – or buy a genuine version of XP from e-bay sellers for less than £15.

But since you don’t know what an operating system is, I would recommend you have someone a bit more PC savvy than yourself, confirm that you need one before spending any money.

[wildwood]

Your laptop will more than likely have a sticker on the bottom with the Windows version with code on it. Simply beg, steal or borrow that version of Windows and install with the right code. Then go to the website of the laptop's manufacturer site and find any software particular for that model, download and save on CD for future installations.

[rojash]

"A Microsoft operating system for £25 – err no, it’s an upgrade package."

I suggest that before jumping in with crass statements like this, you take the trouble to read the posts. It's perfectly possible to do a clean install using the Windows 8 upgrade disk - I even posted a link to the instructions.

[Old_Geezer]

Looking at the intructions, you still need to save the existing Windows rojash. It refers to saving to a drive or iso file. I'd need to actually try it to know for sure, but I'm sceptical one can get Windows for the cost of the pro upgrade. Maybe one can upgrade from Windows 2012 though :-)

[rojash]

I've done OG.
Of course you need access to a working computer to download and create a boot disk, but it's both possible and legal (as it was with Windows 7). Otherwise how would you re-install your operating system in the event of a hard disk failure? An ISO file is a disk image, which is used to create a bootable DVD or USB stick.

[rojash]

...meant to say "I've done it".