Windows XP: Help, I need to make my Windows XP system legit again
- 2/20/09 2:27 PM
Make windows xp legit.
by capalme - 2/13/09 8:25 PM In reply to: Help, I need to make my Windows XP system legit again by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
I had a similiar problem. I build my system and bought xp off of ebay. When I went to install it, it came back with that it had been installed too many times. I had to register my copy with microsoft over the phone. I've had to do that two more times. There was never any serious problem getting it registered. They just ask you how many different times you've installed it. In my instance, the second time was when my mobo fried and i had to replace it, the third was because of a virus.
You can go and buy a new copy of xp or vista and do a clean install, or you can try calling microsoft. If the latter, you may want to invest in software like norton ghost and create a image. A basic system restore. That way you won't have to go through calling microsoft again to register the installation in the event any problems like a virus. Be aware though that the image will only be good for that system. If you change the mobo, even with the same make and model, you'll have to go through the steps to re-register the software.
Hope that helps.
Illegitimate XP System
by Zouch - 2/13/09 8:33 PM In reply to: Help, I need to make my Windows XP system legit again by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
Hi Gary,
sorry you got stiffed with an illegitimate XP installation. You are absolutely right to want to make it legitimate again - these illegal copies can put your data and privacy at enormous risk.
There are two general types of illegal systems, one is an otherwise legal copy of XP but with an illegal product key, which typically Windows Genuine Advantage will pick up and prevent you from running Windows Update, etc., as well as putting a warning up every time you boot. These systems will pick up critical patches via automatic updates but nothing else, like current versions of Windows Media Player, for example. This doesn't mean you should go on running the system - it is illegitimate and you should fix it.
Microsoft did have a program last year, to cover these cases but I don't know if it's still open. Basically, if, like you, you had bought a system in good faith and it turned out to be illegal, you could call Customer Services, explain the situation and provided you could provide them with the purchase receipt and any installation disks supplied, they would sell you a replacement copy at a discount.
The second type of illegal copy is typically a beta or a copy picked up off a scraped PC or such like and hacked internally to disable the activation checks and WGA. These systems are extremely dangerous because they can't be updated with any patches, critical or otherwise, and so usually become infected with more malware than you can shake a stick at very quickly! Symptoms are inability to install patches, applications stopping working, system slowdowns and unusual browser behaviour among others. From your description, it sounds like you have one of these systems. It's very important that you address this problem as soon as possible because you are open to data loss and corruption and possible identity theft.
It has to be worth calling Microsoft Customer Services or Technical support to see if they can offer you some kind of deal to get legitimate again but I'm afraid you will probably have to buy a legal retail copy. If this is the case, you won't be able to buy XP, Microsoft have removed them from retail sale. XP is still available to registered system builders (until June, I think), but these are technically only for installation on a new build system, which yours isn't.
Your other option is a retail copy of Vista, Home Premium will probably work on your system but you will probably want to disable the "eye candy" to help with performance. It will be slower than XP, though if your existing system is cluttered with malware, it may be faster! CNET archives have lots of tips for speeding up Vista, so check them out if you go this way. The only drawback is that Vista isn't cheap but you may find some good offers if you search the web. Just make sure it's a retail copy in the Microsoft shrink wrap.
If you are a bit more adventurous or can't afford Vista, you could try Linux. I'd suggest Ubuntu as probably the easiest distribution to put on, in that it has very good driver coverage and it's big advantage is that it is free to download or a few bucks for a CD. BUT if you play a lot of games or have a lot of Microsoft applications, don't go this way, stick with Windows.
How to install? I get the impression from your question that you may not have installed an operating system before. If that is the case, you may want to ask a friend or family member with a bit more experience to sit with you while you do your first. It is straightforward, especially for a retail copy - just follow the manual, which may be on paper of on the CD. If it's your first time, it's a good idea to read the manual first. If you are switching to linux, do get help.
Given the description of the state of your system, I'd be inclined to wipe your hard disk and do a clean install - I think an upgrade, even if it worked, would just carry all the junk through with it. So the steps I would suggest would be :
1: Take a full backup of your system, so that if the worst happens, you could restore it but hopefully, you won't have to.
2: Make a separate backup of all your data files, email folders, address book, browser bookmarks etc., basically any files that you have created because they will be gone when you reinstall. Make a note of all your network settings, etc.
3: If you don't have an Anti-virus install disk, download one of the free ones - I recommend AVG or AVAST from CNET Download site. For anti-spyware, Vista supports Microsoft Windows Defender or whatever they call it these days or you could use a third party program, I use Ad-Aware in addition to my security suite.
4: Boot from your new legitimate install CD. When it asks where to put the new system, choose the option that reformats the old C: drive, to be sure all the junk is gone. Follow the on screen instructions during the install.
5: Install your anti-virus system and anti-spyware program.
6: Check your network settings and log on to the internet. Run Windows Update to download and install all the outstanding patches. Do NOT do anything else until these are all downloaded and installed.
7: Back up your new system.
8: Install all your user application, games, etc. and import all the data you saved at step 2.
9: Make another back up of your system and you are good to go.
Good Luck!
Replaging illigitimate XP with a good one.
by DT Mitch - 2/13/09 8:43 PM In reply to: Help, I need to make my Windows XP system legit again by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
If you were to buy Vista, it will have to be the non upgrade version. An upgrade won't install unless there is a valid XP installed.
Going with XP instead? You can probably buy an OEM version from a local puter store that builds systems. I've done it twice. What makes the sale legit is purchasing something else with it. That seems to make it pass muster with MSoft. In my case, I bought a floppy drive ( about $10) and XP ( about $150 ). You could likely buy an OEM Vista the same way.
Buy OEM instead of retail
by BigGuns149 - 2/23/09 1:31 PM In reply to: Replaging illigitimate XP with a good one. by DT MitchEver since Vista I don't see why virtually anybody is buying the retail versions anymore. The XP retail box was already pretty thin on documentation, but the Vista retail boxes are little more than a pretty box. The upgrade versions no longer support a clean install like the older versions did. To make matters worse the retail box upgrade versions are consistently more expensive than the OEM version. Save for 90 days of phone support from MS, which for most people isn't very valuable you are paying more to get a version that is more of hassle to install.
BTW, you don't need to buy hardware to buy an OEM version.
Legitimising XP
by petreaza - 2/13/09 9:19 PM In reply to: Help, I need to make my Windows XP system legit again by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
Apply to download update or "goody" from Microsoft for XP. Your copy of software will be checked "on line" by MS. If found to be of dubious origin, MS will make an offer to legitimise.
Help, I need to make my Windows XP system legit again
by Limalimon - 2/13/09 9:39 PM In reply to: Help, I need to make my Windows XP system legit again by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
Don't get dicouraged your prob is not big depending on how you want to look at it . 1st does the computer have a windows xp sticker on it ? you see WGA (windows genuine advantage) can say your copy is not legit but it may not be. Due to something you've done to the computer. example u changed mother board, cpu, etc etc. which happened to me when my board burned out i changed it an microsoft said i had a bad copy of XP. If you have a sticker on cpu case which is to say genuine copy and the has a code ****-****-****-**** somethen like that then you got a chance if all you have to do is activate by that code or call in. Next option go to ebay an buy a copy OEM XP for about 89.99 some have free shipping and install (Boot) from disk option and get started fresh and clean if you want to wipe everything and also just enter your codes or activete by phone if you want to keep your stuff on your hard drive
Turn him in
by 8086 - 2/13/09 10:22 PM In reply to: Help, I need to make my Windows XP system legit again by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
If you report him to Microsoft and tell them your story, they have in the past given new, legit copies of Windows to people who have unintentionally bought a PC installed with pirated MS Software.
Do it for your self and to prevent others from falling victim to this crime. Also software, movie, and music piracy is something modern day organized gangs use to make money for drugs, guns, and fund other illicit actives.
Turn him in and you may be elegible for up to $1,000,000
by 8086 - 2/13/09 11:13 PM In reply to: Turn him in by 8086I recommend you read and/or contact all of these sources.
http://www.bsa.org/country.aspx
http://www.microsoft.com/Piracy/
http://www.microsoft.com/piracy/mpa.aspx
http://www.microsoft.com/piracy/reporting/default.aspx
http://www.spa.org/piracy/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Xfqkdh5Js4
http://www.archive.org/details/dontcopythatfloppy
windows xp pro
by Stuart48 - 2/13/09 10:43 PM In reply to: Help, I need to make my Windows XP system legit again by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
you will have to buy a disk of windows pro and install,our first computer had win95 the first time i went on the net within 5 min up pops microsoft and saying i was running an illegal version of windows. we then had to buy the disk and reinstall and register there is a number on the back of the packet DO NOT loose this or tell anyone what the number is.so you have to have a disk for each computer that you have,i hope this was useful.
How to fix your problem
by Droid - 2/13/09 10:49 PM In reply to: Help, I need to make my Windows XP system legit again by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
Hi Gary
This is a long shot but is there a Microsoft sticker on the box with the activation code ? If so, you can try changing the key to the one on the sticker - see other posts here for that.
If you don't have a key then you need to buy one. You could either get a new disk and key from a shop, or phone Microsoft and explain the situation and get them to sell you a new key. If you want to avoid a complete re-install of Windows then the Microsoft route is the best.
If you do buy from a shop, you probably only need the Home version.
On the other hand, the best value for money option would be to investigate whether your pc can run Vista. If so you could buy that instead - at least that way you would be getting some new features for your money. Check Microsofts web site for tools which can check your pc for compatibility, and you also need to be sure that your other software and peripherals can cope with Vista too.
There is another option involving ditching Microsoft altogether and trying something like Ubuntu, which is completely free. I liken this to moving house! You could do it but there's a learning curve.
Illegal Microsoft Software
by lwhite - 2/13/09 10:53 PM In reply to: Help, I need to make my Windows XP system legit again by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
You could contact Microsoft if you suspect the retailer is using illegal copies of MS operating software to sell their computers you could contact Microsoft at: http://www.microsoft.com/resources/howtotell/reports/report.aspx?displaylang=en
but if it was a sale from a friend who doesnt really know what they were doing and though they were giving you a good deal then you should just go out and buy a copy of XP and install it with the new legit key and use the activation system to make your install legal. Fairly simple and you will feel better about what you have.
XP Pro Illegal to Legal
by Clyde Hunter - 2/13/09 11:09 PM In reply to: Help, I need to make my Windows XP system legit again by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
I began using XP Pro Years ago with an illegal copy to see if it was worth anything. I liked it, and since I was used to formatting the "C" drive and having downloads on another drive, I was able to use it for perhaps a half year. But with the illegal copy you can only make a limited number of changes, so I bought the legal copy.
All was good until I changed hard drives several times. I don't remember how many but when you reinstall XP Pro too many times you will have to call Microsoft to reinstall it. I am sure there are many
places online to buy it.
Clyde Hunter
Genuine Advantage Kit
by jjdetroit - 2/13/09 11:11 PM In reply to: Help, I need to make my Windows XP system legit again by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
I just went through this with a PC someone gave me. If you try to use Windows or Microsoft Update and either one fails because your copy of Windows isn't legit, Microsoft has a method to deal with this that involves ordering a new license key online. Cost me $150 for XP Pro. MS will email you the key and a link to a special site that will run a program to let you enter the key. Then they send you a CD with XP Pro. I imagine they will only let you legitimize the version of Windows you have. XP Pro had some problems on my PC that couldn't be resolved with a Repair Install, so I ended up doing a Full Install with the CD. Had to call MS and get validated when I did that, but now the PC is updating fine.
Illegal copy of Windows on used PC.
by Lennygrt - 2/13/09 11:18 PM In reply to: Help, I need to make my Windows XP system legit again by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
Well Gary, there are a lot of answers, just depends on how much you prefer to work, or prefer to pay. I will itemize a few:
Go buy a copy of XP Home or Pro, take it home insert in your cd drive and start the computer. It should lead you through the process. In order to save most of what you have now, take the REPAIR option.
Take the time, ( I wont suggest one here) to go into one of the many file sharing services and download the one you want, make sure you get some matching serial numbers with it)
Go to one of the p2p file sharing sites and download a good copy of a program that will make WINXP legit. OF course if you do that it will work fine, but it will NOT be legit.
If you are asking this question here, I dont think you would be a person ready for all the changes that come with going VISTA. If you should get at least VISTA HOME DELUXE. The basic one will be a big disappointment after XP PRO.
As to Windows letting you load a different release, they get pretty nasty if you try to load an OS older than what you have. This means its a lot harder to load XP once a machine has had VISTA on it. They do NOT use the same program for booting up, and Vista deletes the XP info for that. ITs possible and can be done, but its much more techie.
Finally: if you are good at learning strange languages, just download one of the hundreds of free LINUX OS programs. One such as Ubuntu Ultimate will have all the other programs you should ever need, as long as you dont need to use the MS programs you now use. Its freaky to learn, but very good at performance.
If you should go out to buy a new OS, make sure you know if your laptop has a cd or dvd drive in it. Vistas are huge and have to come on a DVD. You also need about 25 Gigs in an empty partition to load and enjoy the Vista Ultimate. IT is a huge program, and you must have room for all the other programs that you will want along with it. I would avoid loading Vista on an older laptop. LEN
Updates and Vista
by Clyde Hunter - 2/13/09 11:30 PM In reply to: Help, I need to make my Windows XP system legit again by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
I forgot to mention anything about Updates. I assume you mean from Microsoft. I get none. I don't think they are neccessary if you are careful about where you go online. If I were to get a new OS, Vista
is probably OK now, but I would probably wait for Windows 7.
Actually I may never have to donate more funds to Microsoft because I am pretty happy with XP Pro and I don't use any of their Updates. And I like Ubuntu 8.10. I have a Microsoft (Something) 4000 keyboard and I have to use an older keyboard until I install the X4000 program with XP Pro. Same with my cordless mouse. But Ubuntu seems to work with any hardware.
Clyde hunter
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