Hi, bjk.
Who knows what is in that illegal copy? If somebody butchered it in one
way, it may well have been butchered in other ways, too. ;>(
Assuming it is OK otherwise, though, you should be able to follow
Microsoft's instructions for an "in-place upgrade" from the illegal copy
using an upgrade version of the WinXP CD-ROM. Don't reinstall Win98, but
have that CD-ROM handy. When WinXP Setup asks to verify that your friend
qualifies for the upgrade, just put that CD in the drive momentarily. See
this KB article:
How to Perform an In-Place Upgrade (Reinstallation) of Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=KB;en-us;q315341
The in-place upgrade will take as long as a clean install of WinXP, but it
should preserve your friend's installed applications and data. As soon as
you get the antivirus and firewall back in place, go to Windows Update and
get SP1 (if it's not already on the WinXP CD) and later updates (to protect
that computer from Blaster and other worms and viruses). Be prepared for a
long download/install; even with broadband it took me an hour for SP1 and
another hour for the other fixes the last time I did this. Better set aside
half a day for the whole project.
The new installation should be activated automatically, using the Internet,
and your friend may also want to register it, but registration is optional.
RC