ECOT leftovers, what do I do?

ChazFlibberpants · Mar 17, 2018

Here in Ohio we have this on line school called ECOT (electronic school of tomorrow). They lost funding because they lied to the state of Ohio about their attendance. My daughter attended and we got the school provided computer. It's basically a workstation attached to a monitor called "ThinkcentereM73". The State of Ohio ruled that students get to keep their computers because it was too expensive to reclaim them all. SO...I'm stuck with this thing. I would love to turn into a computer that the family could use but I don't think it has a Windows product key. I tried a hard reset but it didn't work. I can get to the bios but that's about it. I'd rather not but a Windows key but it looks like I might have to.
Thanks for your time and effort.

USAFRet · Mar 17, 2018

ChazFlibberpants :

One of these things?
https://www3.lenovo.com/us/en/desktops/thinkcentre/m-series-tiny/m73/

You got free hardware.
Invest another $85 for a Windows license.
Or, do a full install of Win 10, and run it Unactivated. It runs just the same, with a few small restrictions.
Or, invest a little time and learn Linux. LinuxMint or Ubuntu would be the likely suggestions.

USAFRet · Mar 17, 2018

Or...if you really don't want it...I'll take it.
I'll even pay shipping to Virginia.

ChazFlibberpants · Mar 17, 2018

USAFRet :

I looked at Windows 10 keys. About 100 bucks. That's a lot.

Karadjgne · Mar 17, 2018

It's the one thing above all else that ppl worldwide share. The price of Windows.

USAFRet · Mar 17, 2018

ChazFlibberpants :

Yeah, that's about right.
But, then you'd have a $100, minimally powered PC...

As said...you can install Win 10 and leave it Unactivated.
No customization of the Desktop or Taskbar, and a randomly appearing watermark nagtext at the bottom right.

Or Linux, which is actually "free".

ChazFlibberpants · Mar 17, 2018

USAFRet :

ChazFlibberpants :

Yeah, that's about right.
But, then you'd have a $100, minimally powered PC...

As said...you can install Win 10 and leave it Unactivated.
No customization of the Desktop or Taskbar, and a randomly appearing watermark nagtext at the bottom right.

Or Linux, which is actually "free".

What about an Old Version of Windows 7 or Windows 8, would that work?
Thanks

USAFRet · Mar 17, 2018

ChazFlibberpants :

Same price.

Wolfshadw · Mar 17, 2018

Just tossing this out there because I think you might be missing it.

You can download and install Windows 10 FOR FREE, but just run it unactivated: Windows 10 Media Creation Tool

Now without knowing the complete specifications of your system (which CPU, how much RAM), you may be better off running some version of Linux.

1) Great learning opportunity
2) Free
3) That system isn't going to be used for much more than email, documents, web surfing, anyway.

I would ask what the specs of the system are and if there is any budget for an upgrade (specifically RAM).

-Wolf sends

USAFRet · Mar 17, 2018

Wolfshadw :

It may be similar to this:
https://www.amazon.com/Lenovo-ThinkCentre-10AY001RUS-Discontinued-Manufacturer/dp/B00FNQMNCE

4GB RAM, i3-4xxx, 500GB HDD.

Wolfshadw · Mar 17, 2018

Yeah. I actually came across this page. Lots of different options.

-Wolf sends

ChazFlibberpants · Mar 17, 2018

Wolfshadw :

USAFRet :

I don't even think it's that good. Intel pentium 2.6 G, 4096 mb installed memory, Hard disk st500lmo21-1KJ152

USAFRet · Mar 17, 2018

Wolfshadw :

With the right addons (2nd NIC), one of those would make a nice whole house firewall box.

ChazFlibberpants · Mar 17, 2018

What I really need is a 3rd computer that the kids can play STEAM games on...but I think this little thing isn't going to cut it.
Thanks for all your answers. I hope I can get this done.

USAFRet · Mar 17, 2018

ChazFlibberpants :

Woefully underpowered for any gaming action.
No GPU, and no way to put one in, and no real PSU to power one if you could.

Give up that path.

Wolfshadw · Mar 17, 2018

USAFRet :

Agreed. That's not going to happen, but what are the other two systems specs and what are they used for? Maybe a swap?

-Wolf sends

ChazFlibberpants · Mar 17, 2018

One is an old laptop. It's not that great. It may be worse off than the workstation. I guess I could try to just turn the old ECOT into something they can do homework or something. Use that for a couple of years.

Wolfshadw · Mar 18, 2018

Yep. That will do nicely for homework, Facebook, YouTube, etc...

-Wolf sends

ChazFlibberpants · Mar 18, 2018

Thanks for all the answers. I think I'm going to go down the Linux rabbit hole. I would like to learn and the computer is already a paperweight so I can't do much damage. Thanks for the advice.

ECOT leftovers, what do I do?

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