Can I fix my XP Home after the 72-hour reactivation period expires?

[mm]

Can I continue to repair the software on an XP computer if my 72=hour
re-activation period has expired?


A friend left town and gave me his old XP Home computer, which has
viruses I think and lots of problems.

I got it running a bit and the first thing it did is say my hardware
has changed dramatatically and I had to re-activate it within 72
hours.

What if within 72 hours I can't get it working enough to activate it?
Will they limit my ability to debug it, and to dl antivirus software.
I have to dl afaik because the CD drive won't work and the USB ports
won't work, because of the virus I think.


(This is an ununsually small Dell computer, a Dell™ Dimension™ 4300,
and I think the only hardware change was a network card. But they
still used the word dramatically!)

Thanks

 

[MowGreen]

Can I continue to repair the software on an XP computer if my 72=hour
re-activation period has expired?


A friend left town and gave me his old XP Home computer, which has
viruses I think and lots of problems.

I got it running a bit and the first thing it did is say my hardware
has changed dramatatically and I had to re-activate it within 72
hours.

What if within 72 hours I can't get it working enough to activate it?
Will they limit my ability to debug it, and to dl antivirus software.
I have to dl afaik because the CD drive won't work and the USB ports
won't work, because of the virus I think.


(This is an ununsually small Dell computer, a Dell™ Dimension™ 4300,
and I think the only hardware change was a network card. But they
still used the word dramatically!)

Thanks

The Activation issue should be the least of your concerns as the CD and
USB ports not functioning are likely being caused by the resident malware.
Without them, you are never going to be able to clean this computer so
that it can be Trusted.

Unless your friend changed motherboards, installed a Retail copy of XP,
or worse, a pirated Version which most likely has malware embedded in
it, Dell's OEM XP is self activating and is tied to the motherboard.

Either format and reinstall XP with the Dell supplied CDs, contact Dell
and purchase them for a small fee, or dump it and save yourself tons of
frustration.


MowGreen
================
*-343-* FDNY
Never Forgotten
================

"Security updates should *never* have *non-security content* prechecked

 

[mm]

Thanks for replying.

The Activation issue should be the least of your concerns as the CD and
USB ports not functioning are likely being caused by the resident malware.
Without them, you are never going to be able to clean this computer so
that it can be Trusted.

Unless your friend changed motherboards, installed a Retail copy of XP,
or worse, a pirated Version which most likely has malware embedded in
it,

No, he doesn't know how to do any of that stuff, and he wouldn't use a
pirated version even if he knew how.

Dell's OEM XP is self activating and is tied to the motherboard.

But that was my point. It can't activate until the computer is
working somewhat. I've used about 29 hours of my 72 and I don't know
how much longer it will take.

Either format and reinstall XP with the Dell supplied CDs, > contact Dell
and purchase them for a small fee,

But the CD drive doesn't work!

or dump it and save yourself tons of
frustration.

I thought about the CD and USB not working, and I decided to remove
the HDD and connect it to my USB port with a Rosewill RCW618 (20
dollars, free shipping, at Newegg. My gosh it has lots of uses.
Connects PATA and SATA, 2 1/2 and 3 1/2, hard drives and CD/DVD drives
to the USB.), and check for viruses that way. Found 150 infections
with AVG, 1 more with Malwarebytes. I may try Superantispyware
and/or Norton, which I just installed.

Thanks.

 

[choro]

[....]

Either format and reinstall XP with the Dell supplied CDs, > contact Dell
and purchase them for a small fee,

But the CD drive doesn't work!

"But the CD drive doesn't work." Can you tell us if ANYTHING, ABSOLUTELY
ANYTHING works on this computer?

You've already got the best advice below... (ROFL)

Reminds me of a friend of mine. CD not working, screen cooked, motherboard
fried, and he was still trying to get quotes for fixing his 10 year old
laptop!

Makes me laugh!

 

[Mint]

The Activation issue should be the least of your concerns as the CD and
USB ports not functioning are likely being caused by the resident malware..
Without them, you are never going to be able to clean this computer so
that it can be Trusted.

Unless your friend changed motherboards, installed a Retail copy of XP,
or worse, a pirated Version which most likely has malware embedded in
it, Dell's OEM XP is self activating and is tied to the motherboard.

Either format and reinstall XP with the Dell supplied CDs, contact Dell
and purchase them for a small fee, or dump it and save yourself tons of
frustration.

MowGreen
================
  *-343-* FDNY
Never Forgotten
================

"Security updates should *never* have *non-security content* prechecked

He could also format the hard drive, install a freeware O.S., and see
what hardware still works.

Then go from there.

Andy

 

[MowGreen]

I thought about the CD and USB not working, and I decided to remove
the HDD and connect it to my USB port with a Rosewill RCW618 (20
dollars, free shipping, at Newegg. My gosh it has lots of uses.
Connects PATA and SATA, 2 1/2 and 3 1/2, hard drives and CD/DVD drives
to the USB.), and check for viruses that way. Found 150 infections
with AVG, 1 more with Malwarebytes. I may try Superantispyware
and/or Norton, which I just installed.

Thanks.

If you can connect a CD drive or even a USB thumb drive, suggest you
scan with Kaspersky Rescue Disk 10. Here's a list of all articles on
using it - http://support.kaspersky.com/viruses/rescuedisk/all

How to record Kaspersky Rescue Disk 10 to an USB device and boot my
computer from it?
http://support.kaspersky.com/viruses/rescuedisk/all?qid=208282163

You're mowst welcome and good luck !
Once you get the system cleaned up it will most likely be able to
activate. If not, just call in as the copy of XP on that system is a
Dell Volume Licensed edition.


MowGreen
================
*-343-* FDNY
Never Forgotten
================

"Security updates should *never* have *non-security content* prechecked