HELP REQUIRED urgently with laptop

[ssk_the_gr8]

here it is
i recently got my sis a dell inspiron 1501 lappy(with windows xp home) as she is goin to a college in u.s. to do her masters. my uncle ordered it for her. he stays there.the lappy has been deliverd. now the stupid college writes to her that u need at least windows xp professional .(or vista business or ultimate or windows 2000 professional)to connect to college network. so now what do i do... windows xp pro is not on sale now... vista is damn costly + heavy on system resources+ will eat her lappy's battery life.. do u'll know of a way of gettin the thing upgraded by dell itself...or is professional on sale anywhere still & is it a good idea buyin 2nd hand(from ebay etc.) xp pro.

She cant use a pirated edition of xp..this has been specified.

i have written to dell abt it.waitin for their reply.
plz give ur suggestions
thanx

[QwertyManiac]

There is no second hand Windows sale, just saying.

Windows XP Professional is still available at many stores selling software and you can get the same at all online Windows Marketplace stores too. But you must try Dell for acquiring it first, they might have it.

[ssk_the_gr8]

Originally Posted by QwertyManiac

There is no second hand Windows sale, just saying.

Windows XP Professional is still available at many stores selling software and you can get the same at all online Windows Marketplace stores too. But you must try Dell for acquiring it first, they might have it.

they r available on ebay though.
it is on sale some sites....i just found out
will it be cheaper if i buy from a shop or online?
if i buy xp pro can i upgrade the windows xp oem home edition to pro..
& should i try the dell helpline of india..or i shouldnt as my problem is concerned with dell U.S.A

[arnab2kool]

Originally Posted by ssk_the_gr8

they r available on ebay though.
it is on sale some sites....i just found out
will it be cheaper if i buy from a shop or online?
if i buy xp pro can i upgrade the windows xp oem home edition to pro..
& should i try the dell helpline of india..or i shouldnt as my problem is concerned with dell U.S.A

Use eBay to buy the OS. It will come cheaper than local shops.

Thank you.

[vasanth.kingofthehill]

Why dont u try wit dell first they might give u a gud deal

[QwertyManiac]

Yeah try with Dell first! And I won't really trust eBay, who knows if the product's already been used.

[prasad_den]

You can get a original one here and send it to her...

[ssk_the_gr8]

have emailed dell waitin for their reply

[Liggy]

yeah because Dell was bought in states for a states user you will have to contact Dell USA. They should send you out one. could take a week or two. Seeing as Dell now sells in major electronic stores you might be directed from dell to purchase through them and then get some sort of reimbursment back from dell. not to sure y dell would sell a sys with Hm edition on it. if they don't reimburse you threaten to send system back and you will buy something else, speak with a supervisor! Dell is SUPPOSE to be about customer service. so just raise enough hell and you should get something !