Genuine Advantage Kit use Questions

[AngelXO444]

I recently bought a new computer from a custom computer shop I've used for
years. The computer shop had pre-installed WindowsXP Pro, as well as a few
of my other software programs. After getting it home and working on it for a
month or so, I had the Windows pop up notice to run the Genuine WindowsXP
check. I did so. Much to my dismay, the report came back as counterfeit. I
followed the instructions provided by Microsoft to receive the free copy of
the Genuine Advantage Kit for Windows XP Pro. I have since received the New
CD in the mail.

Before I proceed to install with the new CD, I have some (super-noob)
questions, if I may.

1.) Does using/installing with the replacement CD essentially create a
reformatting of my computer?? Do I lose all that is on my computer?

2.) Does the Genuine Advantage Kit overwrite the old version of WindowsXO
Pro, or do I have to uninstall the old one, or does it happen automatically,
or?

2.) When I install using the Genuine Advantage Kit - will I loose all my
other programs/software and so have to reinstalled all software over again?
(CS3 ,photoshop, Program files, etc. Also, my video card drivers, etc.)

3.) Will all data that is on my computer be automatically removed or does it
carry over to the new install with the GA Kit?

4.) I have already used an external hard drive to back up all my data for
safety, but if needed, when I transfer it back to my computer, I will have to
organize all my folders, etc, all over again too?

.... or is the CD a "Band-aid" which just fixes the credential?

*As you can tell, I'm nervous about using the CD. I'm also very worried
about loosing my other software which was also pre-installed.

Thanks in advance for any insight offered.

 

[Patrick Keenan]

I recently bought a new computer from a custom computer shop I've used for
years. The computer shop had pre-installed WindowsXP Pro, as well as a
few
of my other software programs. After getting it home and working on it for
a
month or so, I had the Windows pop up notice to run the Genuine WindowsXP
check. I did so. Much to my dismay, the report came back as counterfeit.
I
followed the instructions provided by Microsoft to receive the free copy
of
the Genuine Advantage Kit for Windows XP Pro. I have since received the
New
CD in the mail.

Before I proceed to install with the new CD, I have some (super-noob)
questions, if I may.

1.) Does using/installing with the replacement CD essentially create a
reformatting of my computer?? Do I lose all that is on my computer?

2.) Does the Genuine Advantage Kit overwrite the old version of WindowsXO
Pro, or do I have to uninstall the old one, or does it happen
automatically,
or?

2.) When I install using the Genuine Advantage Kit - will I loose all my
other programs/software and so have to reinstalled all software over
again?
(CS3 ,photoshop, Program files, etc. Also, my video card drivers, etc.)

3.) Will all data that is on my computer be automatically removed or does
it
carry over to the new install with the GA Kit?

4.) I have already used an external hard drive to back up all my data for
safety, but if needed, when I transfer it back to my computer, I will have
to
organize all my folders, etc, all over again too?

... or is the CD a "Band-aid" which just fixes the credential?

*As you can tell, I'm nervous about using the CD. I'm also very worried
about loosing my other software which was also pre-installed.

Thanks in advance for any insight offered.

Does the kit come with an install key, or just a CD?

 

[AngelXO444]

It's a CD & it includes the Product Key

 

[PA Bear [MS MVP]]

Your best bet would be to contact MS Support and ask these questions.

Given no further information:

A1. Perhaps. Better to have a backup of your personal data and not need it
than the other way around.

A2a. Overwrite.

A2b. Yes.

A3. See A1 above.

A4. No.

PS: Have you seriously considered suing the shop in Small Claims court and
reporting them to the Better Business Bureau? (I assume you gave MS the
shop's particulars.)
--
~Robear Dyer (PA Bear)
MS MVP-IE, Mail, Security, Windows Client - since 2002

I recently bought a new computer from a custom computer shop I've used for
years. The computer shop had pre-installed WindowsXP Pro, as well as a
few
of my other software programs. After getting it home and working on it for
a
month or so, I had the Windows pop up notice to run the Genuine WindowsXP
check. I did so. Much to my dismay, the report came back as counterfeit.
I
followed the instructions provided by Microsoft to receive the free copy
of
the Genuine Advantage Kit for Windows XP Pro. I have since received the
New
CD in the mail.

 

[Mark Adams]

It's a CD & it includes the Product Key

See the following KB article:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/810892
You should be able to change your product key to the new one provided in the
Kit without reinstalling Windows. You don't even need the disk, all you need
is the new key.

 

[AngelXO444]

Thank You PA Bear.
Yes, I provided MS with the shop's info, as well as the receipt for
purchasing my computer w/ XPPro pre-installed.
I have sent off an email to MS, thanks.

Would you agree with Mark Adam's post? Sound easier... ? See below:


@ Mark Adams 5/18/2009 11:16 AM PSTSee the following KB article:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/810892
You should be able to change your product key to the new one provided in the
Kit without reinstalling Windows. You don't even need the disk, all you need
is the new key.

Thanks Mark.
SO, if I just change the key, I won't lose anything... and it just
"validates" the authenticity?
Sorry... I'm not-so-tech. What I really care about is not loosing any of my
other pre-installed software programs. Might this be the only solution?

 

[Patrick Keenan]

It's a CD & it includes the Product Key

Then in that case, you should be able to just change the product key and
re-activate. There are various utilities for doing this, including the
Magical Jellybean keyfinder.

However, if the installed software does not match the new key type - for
example, if your existing install is a VL (volume license) version using a
pirated key and MS sent you a "retail" version, then this may not work, the
new key will be rejected, and then, yes, you'd have to do a new install with
the new disk.

It's always prudent to have full backups, and for convenience - because it's
so easy to "forget" about some set of data you had, or exactly what programs
were installed - if you need to do a new install, consider getting a new
hard disk, and installing clean to that. Remove the old disk, set it
aside, install the new one, install XP and driivers, then updates,
antivirus, create accounts, etc.

Then, attach the old drive and copy the data into place. In this scenario,
you are using the old drive as your backup media, and you can be sure that
it has *everything*. If it's still bootable, you can also do things like
export the mail settings from Outlook Express, which can save time.

One of the things that makes this approach attractive or practical is that
drives are cheap now, where I am , 80 gig drives are in the $50 range and
one-terabyte drives are just over $100.

HTH
-pk

 

[Alias]

PS: Have you seriously considered suing the shop in Small Claims court
and reporting them to the Better Business Bureau? (I assume you gave MS
the shop's particulars.)

You're assuming that the "Genuine" process is infallible and that the
shop is a thief, all without a trial or the professional inspection of
the "evidence". Course you always do that so we aren't all that surprised.

Alias

 

[PA Bear [MS MVP]]

And you oh-so-conveniently snipped OP's post. Typical of your shady ways.

PS: Bite me!

<plonk>

 

[Alias]

And you oh-so-conveniently snipped OP's post. Typical of your shady ways.

PS: Bite me!

<plonk>

Your signature delimiter snipped it because you top post. Um, this must
be about the tenth time you've put your head in the sand, er, I mean,
plonked me.

Alias