For "Real", "Pirate" or "Junk"....

[KA5LQJ]

Hi All,

First, let me say that I truly respect all of you and your opinions and the help you've given me. I hope this finds each of you and yours in the very BEST of health and spirits.

As you know my Athlon 1.2 gig with WIN 2K went down, mid-December. According to what happened, it all of a sudden rebooted and when it came back up, I got the Blue Screen and it said to put the boot-up disk in.

Since then, I've made no effort to re-boot the machine. I've figured out the hard drive and power supply "tanked". Now, the wife has come to me, and showed me this:

FIX.RESTORE.UPDATE WINDOWS BOOT CD DISK 98/2000/XP 2CDs - eBay (item 370021426390 end time Feb-09-08 15:21:59 PST)

NO, I'm not promoting, advertising or plugging this E-Bray site or product

This guy, Jungjun Kim, has more of these "CD's". Now, NOT wanting to use pirated software or some that would even mess me up more, has anyone heard or used this software before? Is it legit? There was a "post" on the "Beware of" Forum about a non-ham selling this type of software. I sure don't want MICRO$HAFT's lawyers surrounding my house waiting for me to come out to attack me with law suits.

At this point of having to "share" time on the wife's computer (Sony Viao 2.3 gig?) with not only her, but the grandson for his school homework and the adult daughter for her e-mail, I have to wait long periods of time to use this one. I'm sure you all can understand, as I am on a limited income.

I'm not wanting to be on 24/6/365. But, when I need to look up information at the NOAA Wx site for their more accurate than the TV radar for Skywarn, it always starts an argument. Again, I've misplaced that darn WIN 2K disk.....darn dementia! I've litterally torn that room apart looking for the disk and STILL haven't found it. I know it's in there as I don't take CD's into any other part of the house. I will find it eventually and hopefully soon, :)

Ok, so is this a deal OR should I run away very fast from this kind of E-Bray deal?

Respectfully submitted,
73,

Don/KA5-LQJ

[g4lna]

Hi Don,

If you are on limited income they why spend money on an operating system?

If you only use the computer for surfing and emails and writing some letters why not try Linux? If you get a cheap computer it will almost certainly work on it. I use PCLinuxOS (http://www.pclinuxos.com/) which is as close to the Windows system as you can get. And it's free!

[WA9SVD]

I'd be very suspicious. If it's NOT a Microsoft product, it's probably not legitimate, and could have some sort of malicious code. I'd run away from that ePay auction.

Do you have the original "CD KEY" (Serial Number) written somewhere, or is a CA (Certificate of Authenticity) attached to the machine somewhere (as with a commercially manufactured machine?)
As long as you have the license, you can beg or borrow a copy of the same version/Service Pack level and use it to reinstall the OS to a new hard drive, legally. (It's the license that means everything, not the media or disk itself.)
But you need to determine whether the hard drive, the power supply, or both are defective.
Do you have a "rescue" disk such as comes with Norton Utilities/System works? Will the machine boot from floppy and/or CD? If so, the power supply is probably OK. Then try a reinstall. If the hard drive is bad, you'll know soon enough.
Maybe just replace the hard drive with a new drive, and install the old drive as a "slave" for extra storage space.

[KA5LQJ]

Hi,

Paul, I agree. Unfortunately, what I wish to use the computer for is for Ham Radio DeLuxe, a Window's based, free program that will enable me o operate my Icom 706MkII-G in PSK-31 mode, as well as others; allow me to log contacts; look up callsigns from QRZ, and a lot of other things.

Even though I am on 100% Social Security Disability, I would hope to be able to put a machine together to run Kbuntu, because it has built-in ham programs OR eventually learn to run Debian. The Linux box would be used for e-mail, downloading (legally) MP3 music. I have a HUGE music interest from everything from Classical, Blues, County & Western, Honky Tonky, Jazz, Instrumentals, Native American, Opera, March music, etc. but no RAP or Metal.

I also would love to have a large collection of pictures.....flowers, mountains, valleys, space pics of galaxies, planets, moons, as well as various places on Earth. Then, I'd like to take these pictures and format them with the music to make like a musical slide-show, for my personal use only. I had some I made up on the WIN 2K machine and it was very relaxing to view the screen and hear the music...very calming when one in in severe pain.

As I understand, from a ham buddy of mine, there are places I could get another computer, even maybe a laptop and later I could add a wireless card, so that I could take the laptop all over the house and still operate the 706, hi hi.

Well, I have to go get my meds, before I forget. :( :eek: I'm not driving but the pharmacy won't give the meds to a ham friend of mine, LOL!

I'll be back in this afternoon (Quarter till 11 AM now) and check back in.

Respectfully,
73,

Don/KA5LQJ

[KD6NIG]

Its suspect because it sounds like a repair disk for all 3, which, we all know, M$ doesn't distribute operating systems in triplicate.

If you could get your hands on a copy of XP and use your key, you could probably do that.

I wouldn't trust software sales on eBay. If its a copy of XP its likely got one of those keys on it that, although you wouldn't need it, is locked out-and thus cannot be updated....

The potential for other stuff to be piggybacked on it though is too high. I would avoid :)

[g4lna]

Hi,

Paul, I agree. Unfortunately, what I wish to use the computer for is for Ham Radio DeLuxe, a Window's based, free program that will enable me o operate my Icom 706MkII-G in PSK-31 mode, as well as others; allow me to log contacts; look up callsigns from QRZ, and a lot of other things.

Even though I am on 100% Social Security Disability, I would hope to be able to put a machine together to run Kbuntu, because it has built-in ham programs OR eventually learn to run Debian. The Linux box would be used for e-mail, downloading (legally) MP3 music. I have a HUGE music interest from everything from Classical, Blues, County & Western, Honky Tonky, Jazz, Instrumentals, Native American, Opera, March music, etc. but no RAP or Metal.

I also would love to have a large collection of pictures.....flowers, mountains, valleys, space pics of galaxies, planets, moons, as well as various places on Earth. Then, I'd like to take these pictures and format them with the music to make like a musical slide-show, for my personal use only. I had some I made up on the WIN 2K machine and it was very relaxing to view the screen and hear the music...very calming when one in in severe pain.

As I understand, from a ham buddy of mine, there are places I could get another computer, even maybe a laptop and later I could add a wireless card, so that I could take the laptop all over the house and still operate the 706, hi hi.

Well, I have to go get my meds, before I forget. :( :eek: I'm not driving but the pharmacy won't give the meds to a ham friend of mine, LOL!

I'll be back in this afternoon (Quarter till 11 AM now) and check back in.

Respectfully,
73,

Don/KA5LQJ

All understood Don. That's rotten being disabled, thankfully I'm a very fit 59 year old. It sounds like you are positive about life with all your interests. which is great, take care mate.

[w8gtf]

Its suspect because it sounds like a repair disk for all 3, which, we all know, M$ doesn't distribute operating systems in triplicate.

Not to split hairs, but.........

I've got several DVD's in my desk at work that contains several versions of windows. Usually it's different flavors of Microsoft Server 200X.

As for the original post. I completely agree that the disk sounds suspect. Somebody mention using Linux and you said that there was a windows program you liked. There is a Linux application called 'WINE' that can run windows programs in Linux. That may be a viable option.

[KA5LQJ]

I started a real good reply earlier this afternoon, but my wife bumped me off the computer (LOL!) so SHE could check HER e-mail, then the grandson came in and "gamed". By the time I got back on and I added the finishing touches, HellSouth DSL dropped and I lost the message....Sniddy Rot-a-frutz!

Ok, so, we start over.....

Larry, SVD, Yes, I have the product code on the legal back-up copy (archive) I made of the original disk. The Original said it was corrupted and files were missing (??? From a read-ONLY CD?). I tossed it, because I had this archive copy. I used it to re-install WIN 2K Pro and it worked, until mid-December of last year. When I went to find the archive CD it's grown legs and walked out of the computer/radio room. :eek: :mad: :(

I've asked locally but no one seems to want to cut-me-some-slack. I have a friend, here, who is a retired Director at MICRO$HAFT. He told me M$ was not going to do anything, as they didn't support WIN 2K any longer. HE wouldn't even make me a CD and HE knows I bought the legal copy!

I absolutly abhor NORTON. I had purchased a legal copy of System Works and registered it for the one year. Six months after I had installed and registered it, Norton sends me an e-mail, saying I needed to buy ANOTHER legal copy as my "time" had run out! Well, the DSL lines still haven't cooled down from the reply I sent them, LOL! The ONLY way to get Norton off your computer is to "totally reformat" the hard drives! So, no more Norton for me. I've switched to AVG.

Joshua,

I have, (If I can find the CD) WIN 2K Pro. I don't think the product code for WIN 2K would work for XP. I've found a legal, boxed, XP HOME at Office Max here, but they want $200.oo and that might as well be a MILLION, right now.

Tim,

Yes, Wine will run some Windows products. I had a 37 gig WD with Win 2K on it and Xandros Linux, dual-booted. HUGE misteak. Xandros, the Linux/Windows Wanna-be won't do, even with WINE what I need and should I get a "bug" in the WIN section, it plays HELL with recovering any WIN info without destroying the Linux partitions. Since 37 gigs is tiny, I had a 78 gig, Maxtor that held all the programs and data.

Soooooooo, looks like I'll just have to wait and hope I can run across a decent, older computer, hopefully with XP already installed. THEN, later, I can hopefully find another computer for the Linux side, as I want to keep everything seperate. :)

If my "luck" keeps up, I may just take up becoming a Professional Sleeper.

Respectfully,
73,

Don/KA5-LQJ

John F. Kennedy: Ich bin ein Berliner!.....Translation: I am a jelly doughnut! Camelot's become SPAMALOT.

[KD0BRD]

The disk, even if is is legit, will at this point do no good to you. If the hard drive "tanked", you would need to get a new one and install it in the computer. Then you could worry about putting some sort of operating system (win 2k, win xp, etc.)

As a side note, if the computer will turn on (even if you get the boot disk error), than the power supply is probably still fine. The symptoms sound like your problem is a simple hard drive failure.

If you are comfortable opening your computer, installing a new hard drive is a very easy job (15 minutes). If you are not comfortable opening your computer, your local computer shop (if you can, try to steer clear of Best Buy) should be able to do it for a reasonable price. Of course, you still need to get some sort of operating system after you have a hard drive in.

Good luck,
Isaac, KD0BRD

Hi All,

First, let me say that I truly respect all of you and your opinions and the help you've given me. I hope this finds each of you and yours in the very BEST of health and spirits.

As you know my Athlon 1.2 gig with WIN 2K went down, mid-December. According to what happened, it all of a sudden rebooted and when it came back up, I got the Blue Screen and it said to put the boot-up disk in.

Since then, I've made no effort to re-boot the machine. I've figured out the hard drive and power supply "tanked". Now, the wife has come to me, and showed me this:

FIX.RESTORE.UPDATE WINDOWS BOOT CD DISK 98/2000/XP 2CDs - eBay (item 370021426390 end time Feb-09-08 15:21:59 PST)

NO, I'm not promoting, advertising or plugging this E-Bray site or product

This guy, Jungjun Kim, has more of these "CD's". Now, NOT wanting to use pirated software or some that would even mess me up more, has anyone heard or used this software before? Is it legit? There was a "post" on the "Beware of" Forum about a non-ham selling this type of software. I sure don't want MICRO$HAFT's lawyers surrounding my house waiting for me to come out to attack me with law suits.

At this point of having to "share" time on the wife's computer (Sony Viao 2.3 gig?) with not only her, but the grandson for his school homework and the adult daughter for her e-mail, I have to wait long periods of time to use this one. I'm sure you all can understand, as I am on a limited income.

I'm not wanting to be on 24/6/365. But, when I need to look up information at the NOAA Wx site for their more accurate than the TV radar for Skywarn, it always starts an argument. Again, I've misplaced that darn WIN 2K disk.....darn dementia! I've litterally torn that room apart looking for the disk and STILL haven't found it. I know it's in there as I don't take CD's into any other part of the house. I will find it eventually and hopefully soon, :)

Ok, so is this a deal OR should I run away very fast from this kind of E-Bray deal?

Respectfully submitted,
73,

Don/KA5-LQJ

[k3wrv]

Don-

If you want to "operate my Icom 706MkII-G in PSK-31 mode, as well as others; allow me to log contacts; look up callsigns from QRZ, and a lot of other things" You can do that under Linux with no problems. But you'll have to use several different programs to accomplish that, rather than one "Do it all program". That's the difference between Linux and Win$ux. Linux programs are small, efficient, and generally do one thing but do it really well. Windows programs are typically big, bloated, and try to do everything. In Linux, you can even take the output of one program and feed it to the input of another pretty easily. Don't try that in Win$ unless you're very LEET. (See the post from AG3Y on SDR Radios in this forum!)

Take Isaac's advice and try another hard drive and see if that will get you going. If yes, you've solved the problem. Else try something different. If you get a blue screen, the machine seems to be working and windows is tryiong to load itself. If you don't get that far, do you get through the power on self test? Can you get booted in safe mode? Can you boot from a floppy?

There are some "Fix Broken Windows programs" out there, and you can probably find them on Tucows or SourceForge, but I don't know how well they work. But they're free downloads, and the sites are reputable.

de Bob

[WA9SVD]

If the computer starts up and at least continues through POST (Power On Self Test,) the supply isn't the problem; it's other hardware or software.

What happens when you turn the machine on? Do you get an opening Windoze screen, or just a blinking cursor?

If the drive falied, that is an easy fix, and you should be able to find a NEW drive for under $100. (Fry's, for example, had a 160 GB drive for $65.00 this past week.)

If you aren't comfortable doing the replacement yourself, you should be able to get a friend (perhaps the "stingy one" who won't give you a copy of the medium) to do drive the replacement.

(BTW, your "friend" is a bit out of line. I had a similar problem: a friend's c hard drive with XP Pro died. The machine had the COA (Certificate of Authenticity) label, WITH the CD/Serial Number' Key on the bottom. After a bit of explaining, Microsoft recommended that (since it was an OEM version) I just get a copy of OEM XP Pro and use that WITH the Key on the machine. Even MS agreed the CD alone is useless without a valid Key. (And at least for XP and later, Activation after installation. So your friend SHOULD be able to legally give you a copy of the CD, but not a Product KEY.)

Of course, that still requires a copy of the CD to be able to reinstall Win2K.
One workaround the "multi-boot" problem would be to have two hard drives in the machine, and install Win2k on one drive, and LINUX on the other drive, and "never the twain shall meet..."

Buying a "used" computer won't necessarily solve your problem, since the install media might not be included, and a hard drive failure (inevitable at some point; it IS a mechanical device.) would create the same dilemma you now face. Better to search high and low, or to beg or borrow an install CD that you can use with your original machine's license. If I had Win2k, I'd be glad to help out. Good Luck.

[KD6NIG]

Not to split hairs, but.........

I've got several DVD's in my desk at work that contains several versions of windows. Usually it's different flavors of Microsoft Server 200X.

As for the original post. I completely agree that the disk sounds suspect. Somebody mention using Linux and you said that there was a windows program you liked. There is a Linux application called 'WINE' that can run windows programs in Linux. That may be a viable option.

Yep, but I doubt you'd put them up for sale on eBay :)

[KA0SPM]

You do not have as big of a problem as you think using Linux. There are very good replacements to Ham Radio Delux in open source. If you must wine will run the program by why? qmfsk will do more than Ham Radio Delux and is in the debian repositories. Fldigi is also a good one. The rig control software in ubuntu is hard to beat and the KDE desktop is very much like Windoze. When you have a moment when the family is not using the computer cut a LiveCD of Kubuntu or Ubuntu and run it on your machine. (boot from CD) You will then know where you are and can see how the OS works, no risk.

Since you have no money all you have is time, learn the system and you will be impressed. By the way if you are needing to replace parts on your computer there are many computer stores selling older hardware at bargain basement prices. If you have to replace parts you can get them cheap. You might even get a new computer for 70 dollars like I did. 1.7g 20 gig HD 256 megs of ram. Running Kubuntu and several ham radio programs like I mentioned. This machine beats the yl's Toshiba dual core with Vista and i have not found a program yet in Linux that will not do what i want.

[WA9SVD]

You do not have as big of a problem as you think using Linux. There are very good replacements to Ham Radio Delux in open source. If you must wine will run the program by why? qmfsk will do more than Ham Radio Delux and is in the debian repositories. Fldigi is also a good one. The rig control software in ubuntu is hard to beat and the KDE desktop is very much like Windoze. When you have a moment when the family is not using the computer cut a LiveCD of Kubuntu or Ubuntu and run it on your machine. (boot from CD) You will then know where you are and can see how the OS works, no risk.

Since you have no money all you have is time, learn the system and you will be impressed. By the way if you are needing to replace parts on your computer there are many computer stores selling older hardware at bargain basement prices. If you have to replace parts you can get them cheap. You might even get a new computer for 70 dollars like I did. 1.7g 20 gig HD 256 megs of ram. Running Kubuntu and several ham radio programs like I mentioned. This machine beats the yl's Toshiba dual core with Vista and i have not found a program yet in Linux that will not do what i want.


That's all well and good, and something to consider, BUT:

He still needs a working computer. If the hard drive has failed, all the LINUX programs in the world won't help, until he gets a replacement.
Your "$70 wonder" is a rare and lucky find, at least for most of us. Still, a 20 GB hard drive such as in that machine is likely getting on in years, and may not have a long life left. the same $ may be better spent getting a replacement hard drive for the current machine and proceeding from there. At least a new hard drive will have at least a one year warrantee; a used drive or machine may not have any.