Kathleen Matlock

I have been repairing and upgrading computers in my spare time for family and friends for over 15 years.  I get used computers from family and friends who have bought new ones, from thrift stores such as Goodwill, and sometimes from Craigslist and Ebay (but keep reading before you consider doing this yourself).  When purchasing a used computer, it is extremely important to make sure that it is properly licensed for the operating system that is installed.  For example, a computer may have been purchased new with Windows XP or Windows Vista.  Between 2009 and 2015, it could have been upgraded to Windows 7.  If so, that machine will have a Certificate of Authenticity and a product license key, as well as a DVD for Windows 7.  Do you know if the person selling the computer was the original owner?  Do you know if they used a valid retail upgrade license to upgrade the operating system?  Do you know if they used the same license on another computer?  You probably won't kn