Do you mean install or download? Install would be loading an application from a disk onto the H/D while download would be taking something from the Internet. One requires the drive, and one does not.

If you did mean install and not download, I would first recommend that you download Belarc Advisor. This free application will give you a report of everything inside this "new" system. Armed with that information your concern can be promptly addressed. It may be something as simple as the drive is disconnected.

DA

personally I think I would be back at that shop telling them they did not sell you a functioning computer, I hope you did not pay much.

It sounds like it does not have a cd burner drive on it only one of the very old type that only will play a cd.

go to belarc and run it on that pc it will give you a list of all of what is in the pc so you at least know what you have.
Belarc Advisor

"as far as I can tell I can't burn one cd from another." If you're trying to burn a copy of a cd on a new cd the original may be copy protected and cannot be copied.

DA you and I are sharing a brain again and typing at the same time too. That gets scary! LOL

Some of the information this program detects should NOT be published/posted on any site, not only for your own security but also to stop the illegal use of your program keys being used by people using pirated copies of these programs.

If you wish to supply us with information from your Belarc report, we suggest you copy and paste only the pertinent information in your post.

Thank you Z. I took for granted the fact that a user would only post the hardware report.

On an older used system a software key concern should not be critical, but for a newer system or one with newer software it could be. As I am one who always recommends developing protocols and sticking to them your alert is very valid.

RC,

Since she made no statement to the obvious, and the system was used I also took for granted that it was purchased as is. If you are sharing my brain run, not walk, to the nearest emergency room.

DA

Does this computer have a name and model number on the front? I realise some parts may have been changed internally but we need to start somewhere.

Does it have a manufacturers label on the back?
Most importantly does it have a Microsoft sticker on it anywhere with the 25 digit registration code? Do not publish the code her as others have already noted but we need to determine if you have a legit copy of Windows

I thank you all for your help. I guess I am just going to limp along with this piece of junk that I'm stuck with until I can get a new one. Raven, yes I did spend too much for it but 50 cents would have been far too much. Being not too bright, I'm not going to the site you recommended because I would have no way of doing the right thing unless I wait for my Granddaughters to come and walk me through it. But as long as I'm not going to keep this pile of trash I guess I don't need the information anyway. Thanks again for your help and who was it said, "there's a fool born every minute"? Well, guess I got that right anyway. lol

@DA I posted the report once, not knowing, to a forum and that's the warning I was given.