What is going on with my computer

[Guest]

I need someones help really really bad. I had my computer built by an
individual person he owned his own shop. I was running Windows XP Home then I
got a virus and a friend of mine cleaned my computer up for me and he added
Windows XP Pro. Well just 2 months ago my motherboard went out so I got a new
motherboard and new video card. Everything was running good up until about 2
weeks ago. Now my system shuts down and reboots while I am doing something.
Then at times it when I click on my users name it will start to load up then
shuts down and restarts again. I ran an microsoft update and it said that my
pc failed due to invalid product key. The product key found on my computer
has been detected on multiple computers that my Windows XP Pro is conterfeit.
I have tried to reinstall my windows xp and it will not let me. I even tried
to change the way that my system reboots in my BIOS SETUP UTILITY and it will
not let me change the settings in there either on anything. Was just trying
to see what it would do and nothing. What is going on and is there anything
that I can do to fix this... I am desperate and need some help
PLEASE..........

 

[lenny]

If you have been running your computer for more than a month then the update
shouldn't stop XP from working even if you do have an illigal copy. It just
means that you will need to update manually. However I would reinstall the
XP Home version that the person who build the computer for you will be able
to provide you with. (he should have provided you with an XP CD anyway). It
sounds like you have a number of issues but it is a good idea to do one at a
time. First of all you need to format your drive again, start afresh and
install a legal copy of XP. Search Google for reinstall XP or format and
install XP. It is easy enough to do if you follow the instructions.

The Bios issue isn't related to windows so either you are doing something
wrong or you have another problem.

Hope that helps a little.

 

[Guest]

It looks as if the XP Pro that person installed is a pirate copy, so, if you
have the Home version CD, boot the computer from the XP CD and choose the
option to format the C: drive before installing XP, then use the install
option.

You may have to enter the BIOS and make the CD/DVD drive the first boot drive.

After you have installed XP, you then make the hard drive the first boot
drive.

You may also have a cheap or underpowered power supply unit. The computer
should have at least a 350W power supply made by a reputatble manufacturer.

To find out the make and model of the power supply, open the case and look
for that information. Enter the make and model in Google to find reviews and
information on it.

See this page on power supplies:

http://www.pcbuyerbeware.co.uk/MBoard2.htm

You can buy them from most reputatble computer stores.

Eric,
PC Buyer Beware!
http://www.pcbuyerbeware.co.uk/

 

[Orin Oríg]

I need someones help really really bad. I had my computer built by an
individual person he owned his own shop. I was running Windows XP Home then I
got a virus and a friend of mine cleaned my computer up for me and he added
Windows XP Pro. Well just 2 months ago my motherboard went out so I got a new
motherboard and new video card. Everything was running good up until about 2
weeks ago. Now my system shuts down and reboots while I am doing

something.

.. . . . . .

pc failed due to invalid product key. The product key found on my computer
has been detected on multiple computers that my Windows XP Pro is

conterfeit.

.. . . . . .

to see what it would do and nothing. What is going on and is there anything
that I can do to fix this... I am desperate and need some help
PLEASE..........

This could be the most painful thing you will have to experience with a
self-made computer, and it could be the most expensive one : "The OEM Woes!"

Your Windows XPs could be OEM versions. Many computer builders ( including
me in the past)believe that using OEM version softwares will save you money.
Yes, it does until one of your hardwares is broken.

You claimed that your motherboard and video card were replaced, and that
will make your system a new one . . . and therefore, OEM softwares will not
work anymore.

Usually these OEM softwares will work for a while . . . maybe the software
makers is giving you some time to replace it with a new one. If your
Windows XPs were OEM, Microsoft Corp. gave you thirty days to make a change
and if you did not make a change - "Surprise! Hasta la vista, baby!"

But if your softwares were retail and it did not work after the motherboard
change . . . then make an issue out of it, baby (like I did in the past.)

Orinello