As part of my 'termination' from work I negotiated that I could keep my laptop. Very kindly my employers have removed all the software (licencing issues) including OS. I need help!

The message I get is MBR Error: boot disk has been disabled.

I have an XP recovery disk which I got with my desktop - what do I do with this? Would XP have the wireless networking support I need? I stis the way to go?

I could install linux to this machine (Although talking to my home network which already has an xp and vista machine on it would surely be a nightmare). How would I do this? Is it a good idea?

Any recommendations, thooughts, help appreciated.

David

I have an XP recovery disk which I got with my desktop - what do I do with this?

Nothing. Keep it with your desktop. It is illegal to use it on any other machine.

I could install linux to this machine

Yes you can do that. Use the instructions from the Linux version of choice's website. It would be a good learning experience. But first, check the notebook maker's website for the latest drivers for your OS of choice.

Any recommendations...

Yes. Go buy a legal copy of Windows for this notebook (checking the maker's site for drivers first).

Thanks for the advice. Glad you told me that loading the laptop with an os from my desktop was illegal. I seem to have some memory (maybe false) that you could do this since you owned it and wouldn't be used in two places at the same time. I think I'll check this out in case US licences differ from UK.

Re: Linux. I might do this for a learning experience.

David

I seem to have some memory (maybe false) that you could do this since you owned it and wouldn't be used in two places at the same time.

That was how it used to be long time ago with Office and other programs, but never with the operating system - and especially with OEM licenses which is what you got with your desktop - evidenced by the fact you said it was a "recovery" disk which is pre-loaded with the drivers for that hardware. Your notebook surely has a different motherboard, graphics solution, CPU etc. from the desktop. So regardless where you live in the world, you can't use a recovery disk on a different computer.

Ok Bill you are of course right. After spending a little while reading this all up (and realising it is all very complicated and of course lucrative for microsoft) I decided to load Ubuntu.

Now I am really struggling. I downloaded the file copied to disk and stuck it in the laptop and got MBR Error: Boot has been disabled on this disk.

Is there a simple answer or do I just have to resign myself to spending a lot of time reading up on it?

Sorry Bill ignore me - I have gone back to my old computing days before I had a help desk and before windows ruled the world and remembered how to go into the bios. I am even now loading Ubuntu onto my laptop. Having already bought and paid for 2 copies of windows and office I'm going to try and limit my microsoft expenditure in future.

I only intend to use the latop to sit in the garden and browse the internet so maybe Linux will do.

Au revoir

David

There is very little Linux can't go - though it may take a little more effort setting it up, at least until you become familiar with it.

And while I agree with you there is some lucrative aspects for Microsoft, I will note that OEM licenses are much less expensive than retail licenses from the start. And since most users keep their systems for years, the lucrative aspect for Microsoft diminishes pretty quick.

Fortunately, as you know well, there are several free alternatives so there really is no excuse to use illegal copies of Windows.

Thanks for the followup.

Hey! You may not use any illegal and pirated software and window program. If you want install any software then purchase geniun software and window programs.

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