reinstating genuine xp software

[KevD]

I had my Packard Bell computer stripped and re-formatted a while ago by a
'friend of a friend' after picking up some nasty virus(es). Once returned the
computer worked fine for a while, but then started diplaying pop-ups saying
the windows was not genuine. I can only assume the IT guy installed a rip off
version of windows XP rather than the genuine one. The original Microsoft
sticker with the product key is attached to the computer but I didn't get a
disk when I bought the PC several years ago. Can I reinstall the genuine
software by simply entering the product key somewhere?

 

[db]

if you have no disks and
the license is invalid,

then you really need to
buy an operating system
for it,

which will provide you
with the vital disk.

on the other hand you
can try turning the machine
into an open source unit.

there are free operating
systems and freeware that
compete with microsoft's
moneyware.
--

db·´¯`·...¸><)))º>
DatabaseBen, Retired Professional
- Systems Analyst
- Database Developer
- Accountancy
- Veteran of the Armed Forces
- Microsoft Partner
- @hotmail.com
~~~~~~~~~~"share the nirvana" - dbZen

 

[thanatoid]

I had my Packard Bell computer stripped and re-formatted a
while ago by a 'friend of a friend' after picking up some
nasty virus(es). Once returned the computer worked fine for
a while, but then started diplaying pop-ups saying the
windows was not genuine. I can only assume the IT guy
installed a rip off version of windows XP rather than the
genuine one. The original Microsoft sticker with the
product key is attached to the computer but I didn't get a
disk when I bought the PC several years ago. Can I
reinstall the genuine software by simply entering the
product key somewhere?

Did it have a legal version of XP "before"? If so, you can
Google for where to enter the serials/keys in the registry to
make the version "legal.

Like perhaps here (if not, Google for the terms... I'm too lazy
to read all the answers):

(Note this is the /Google-cached/ version of the page! Non-
cached will insist you register for a 30-day "free trial" and
then pay afterwards.)

http://74.125.47.132/search?q=cache:cLAzQMYnPH0J:http://www.expe
rts-
exchange.com/OS/Miscellaneous/Q_21253163.html+enter+serial+numbe
r+in+registry+to+make+XP+legal&hl=en&ct=clnk

There /have/ been reports of cases where a fully legitimate
install of Windows causes a message saying "Your version of
Windows *MAY* NOT BE LEGAL" (AOT *IS* not legal). This is
because MS are a bunch of ****heads, without going into the gory
details of serial numbers, mathematics, monopoly, and the
concept of whether infinity exists or not.

I /believe/ you can eliminate the appearance of that message by
either never using IE/OE or by applying a small hack (or by
paying for a 30 minute conversation with MS which may or may not
get you into more trouble).

Sorry, I don't know any more since I don't really use XP much
and have never been online with it, so you'll have to Google for
another way to fix the problem if neither of the two methods I
just suggested gets rid of it.

 

[VanguardLH]

I had my Packard Bell computer stripped and re-formatted a while ago by a
'friend of a friend' after picking up some nasty virus(es). Once returned the
computer worked fine for a while, but then started diplaying pop-ups saying
the windows was not genuine. I can only assume the IT guy installed a rip off
version of windows XP rather than the genuine one. The original Microsoft
sticker with the product key is attached to the computer but I didn't get a
disk when I bought the PC several years ago. Can I reinstall the genuine
software by simply entering the product key somewhere?

When you install Windows, it is a trial version and you have 30 days to
activate it. Did you activate it yet?

Run: %SYSTEMROOT%\system32\oobe\msoobe.exe /A

If you didn't have a legitimate copy of Windows, just how was the "IT guy"
supposed to get one? If by "IT guy" you mean someone at work in the IT
department then they host they worked on belongs to the company, so why not
take it back to the IT department or call your work's help desk to schedule
a repair or reimage of that computer?

The "friend of a friend" certainly makes it appear that you knew that you
would get an illegal copy of Windows. Them reformatting your partitions
would NOT have resulted in a version of Windows suddenly appearing on your
host. It would have to get installed AFTER the reformatting process.

And why didn't you get legitimate installation disc(s) with the computer if
Windows was actually included in the sale of the hardware for your host?
Sounds like you only bought hardware which included a polluted hard disk.

 

[20100209]

Ignore all the replies you have received.

You can borrow (or copy) a friends HP disk for Windows XP (any disk will
do) and use it to perform a clean install of the operating system. You
can use the genuine key attached to your box with this CD.

There is hack tool to change the serial number but since you are not
experienced in using third party, and sometimes dodgy tools, I won't
recommend anything here.

hth

 

[neil]

What does the sticker on the PC have written on it, it should give you the
"version". Windows Professional, Windows Home etc, then you can look to
borrow a disk of the same type and use the key on the label. I wouldn't go
for a HP disk though as it may not be correct but you may need to reformat
and start again so be prepared to save all you files.
Neil

 

[Desk Rabbit]

Did it have a legal version of XP "before"? If so, you can
Google for where to enter the serials/keys in the registry to
make the version "legal.

Like perhaps here (if not, Google for the terms... I'm too lazy
to read all the answers):

(Note this is the /Google-cached/ version of the page! Non-
cached will insist you register for a 30-day "free trial" and
then pay afterwards.)

Or scroll down past all the adverts to read the results which is how &
why Google manages to trawl and cache it without having to buy a 30 day
account

 

[Desk Rabbit]

Ignore all the replies you have received.

You can borrow (or copy) a friends HP disk for Windows XP (any disk will
do) and use it to perform a clean install of the operating system. You
can use the genuine key attached to your box with this CD.

Wrong. Any disk will not do.

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

Wrong. Any disk will not do.

You are correct. The disk has to match with respect to Home vs.
Professional, Retail vs. OEM, and Full vs. Upgrade.

 

[thanatoid]

Or scroll down past all the adverts to read the results
which is how & why Google manages to trawl and cache it
without having to buy a 30 day account

Not on my browsers.

They USED to use ROT-13 to hide the replies. That was pretty
easy to deal with. (Some "experts"!) This is considerably
better, and of course Google won't do anything about it.

 

[20100209]

Wrong. Any disk will not do.

You talking rubbish again. Any HP disks will do to accept serial number
at the back of the computer base of HP. HP never issued a CD for home
version in uk. PERIOD. ALSO, HP NEVER RELEASED A RETAIL VERSION OF XP
either. So any CD will do as long as it is from HP..

 

[20100209]

You are correct. The disk has to match with respect to Home vs.
Professional, Retail vs. OEM, and Full vs. Upgrade.

Another piggy talking absolute rubbish.

You talking rubbish again. Any HP disks will do to accept serial number
at the back of the computer base of HP. HP never issued a CD for home
version in uk. PERIOD. ALSO, HP NEVER RELEASED A RETAIL VERSION OF XP
either. So any CD will do as long as it is from HP..