Tip #3446 - Which OS Do You Have?
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Q:
I just bought a computer from a friend of mine and they didn't know a
whole lot about it. Therefore, I don't even know which operating system
it has. How can I determine that?
A:
Don't feel bad! This sort of thing happens to a lot of people. Whenever
you make a deal on a computer from a friend or family member, chances
are, you're not going to know much about it until you start investigating.
And while there's nothing wrong with that, it can be a bit frustrating
until you figure some things out. Another situation could be that you
bought a computer a long time ago, but never really used it. You may not
remember certain things from way back when.
Either way, one of
the most important things you need to know about a computer is what operating
system it is running under. Without that information, you won't be able
to do certain things, you won't know which programs will and won't work,
etc. So, it's pertinent that you find out that little piece of information
first. While that sounds easy enough to do, you may not be sure how to
go about checking on that. Well, I'm here to help you out with that, so
let's get started!
There are a couple
of ways you can do this with any computer. Now, before you begin, you
must know that the computer does have a version of Windows. It can't be
a Mac or be using Linux, etc. If the computer has anything other than
Windows, this tip won't work.
Okay, here's the easiest
way to check which operating system you have. Go to Start,
Run and type in "winver" (without
the quotes). Press Enter on your keyboard. That will
bring up a new window that has all the information about your computer's
operating system. It will give you the version (98, 2000, XP, etc.), the
build information and the Service Pack version, if one is installed. It
will look something like this:
Now, there are other
ways you can go about doing this as well, just in case you couldn't get
it to come up with the above directions. For one, right click on the My
Computer icon on your desktop and choose Properties.
Under the General tab, you will see the operating system
information and some data on the actual computer. What you see here is
a little different from all that you get with the first option, but it
still gives you the basics.
The next one I have
for you works if you're using a mobile device for your computer (it's
probably rare, but it might just help some of you out). If you have Windows
CE on either a cell phone or a PDA, you can find out which version you
have by going to Start, Control Panel.
Click on the Systems icon under the System Properties
section and you will see from there which version of Windows CE you have.
It will also give you some of the build information.
Either way you do
it, you will be able to find the information you're looking for and you
can then go on your way to making the computer you want to have. It's
nice to have options, isn't it?!
~ Erin
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