Need a used computer asap!

[Freedom~Mama]

I am just devastated. My laptop broke a few months ago so we bought a used computer off of craigslist for $500. My DH bought a legal version of windows for it because he asked the guy he bought it from if the version on the computer was legal or not and the guy said no. My DH just texted me and told me that the police just called his work saying the computer was stolen and that we have to return it to the police today and the only way we can get our money back is to try and get it from the guy we bought it from who of course won't answer his phone. We are flat broke and needed another computer desperately because we are both going to school online. I am just in tears...it is so frustrating. How were we supposed to know it was stolen? We can't afford to buy another computer and now we might have to drop our classes and lose our financial aid.

Does anyone know of a good place to buy used computers without a risk of buying a stolen computer?!

[Drummer's Wife]

Oh, no! What about a $250 netbook? Or a super cheap tower (and a used monitor?)

[Freedom~Mama]

Right now I am hoping and praying that my Mom will front me the money for a mini notebook and I can pay her back when I can. If she won't do it I will be in a world of hurt and don't know how I can do my classes. I am taking 17 credits worth of classes all online and class just started this week.

[tinuviel_k]

Oh no! That is horrible. Where are you in the Pacific NW? I may have an old laptop that I could loan you for a while. It runs Linux instead of Microsoft, but you can easily use all your old Word documents in Open Office.

[Satori]

I bought a decent desktop from a reputable seller on ebay for like $200, would have cost $400+ at the stores. Picked up my netbook for school at walmart for $350, love love love this thing!

[LeahBoo]

My walmart has an acer netbook with windows 7 for $228.

[Drummer's Wife]

I just thought of this, and maybe you already looked into it, but my school sells computers and let's you charge your financial aid for it. They are mostly used, and not super nice but good enough for online classes. It isn't something they advertise much, so I had to ask about it. In the end, I decided to wait for the financial aid check to come in to buy a new netbook (love it!), but it was nice to know the option was there.

[Gray's Mommy]

Are you near a public library?? Many of ours have free & unlimited access to the internet. I am sorry that this happened.