Copy question

[Owkmann]

I picked up an older computer with XP loaded, no source disks. Unfortunately
the system frequently blue screens. I suspect some of the files are
corrupted from viruses I caught and killed.

Am I allowed to copy clean files from my personal copy of XP CD to this old
computer?

Owkmann

 

[Guest]

yes, just use the sfc /scannow statement in the run box, and it will scan
your system and replace missing and or corrupt files.

 

[Pegasus \(MVP\)]

I picked up an older computer with XP loaded, no source disks.
Unfortunately the system frequently blue screens. I suspect some of the
files are corrupted from viruses I caught and killed.

Am I allowed to copy clean files from my personal copy of XP CD to this
old computer?

Owkmann

Yes, you are, although I doubt very much that this
will fix your problem.

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

I picked up an older computer with XP loaded, no source disks. Unfortunately
the system frequently blue screens. I suspect some of the files are
corrupted from viruses I caught and killed.

Am I allowed to copy clean files from my personal copy of XP CD to this old
computer?

My view is that you are asking the wrong question. If I acquired a
used computer, the first thing I would do with it would be to
reinstall the operating system cleanly. You have no idea how the
computer has been maintained, what has been installed incorrectly,
what is missing, what viruses and spyware there may be, etc. I
wouldn't want to live with somebody else's mistakes and problems,
possibility of kiddie porn, etc., and I wouldn't recommend that anyone
else do either.

This is important enough that if you don't have a Windows CD, you
should buy one. If you didn't get a Windows CD with the computer, you
don't have a valid license, anyway.

 

[Plato]

I picked up an older computer with XP loaded, no source disks. Unfortunately

Best bet when buying a used pc to to wipe the disk first, then use the
official MS CD to install the MS OS you want to use fresh.

 

[Vanguard]

I picked up an older computer with XP loaded, no source disks.
Unfortunately the system frequently blue screens. I suspect some of
the files are corrupted from viruses I caught and killed.

Am I allowed to copy clean files from my personal copy of XP CD to
this old computer?

If you didn't get the installation media, what you got for the old
computer was just hardware that included a polluted hard drive. The
installation or, at least, the license must accompany the resale of the
software. Was there a sticker on the computer case with the product
key? If so, you can call Microsoft to get a replacement CD.

So have you first tried reinstalling the motherboard, video, and other
hardware drivers?

 

[Owkmann]

Thanks for that. Sure enough, the product key is on a MS sticker on the side
of the case. So I'll wipe the HD. What is the link to request new CD's from
Microsoft?

 

[Bob I]

Actually the original computer vendor is where you get referred to for
OEM CDs.

 

[Vanguard]

Thanks for that. Sure enough, the product key is on a MS sticker on
the side of the case. So I'll wipe the HD. What is the link to request
new CD's from Microsoft?

If "OEM" is in on the sticker then you have to go back to whomever made
that computer. Otherwise, go to http://support.microsoft.com/kb/326246.

This used computer didn't come with the manuals that would've originally
came with it? The manual probably told you how to restore/reinstall the
OS. It is possible there is a hidden partition on a hard drive and you
are to use that to restore (and image) back to the delivery-time
condition of that computer.

Have to talked to the seller from whom you "picked up" this used
computer to demand they provide you with the Windows XP installation CD
so that the copy of Windows they claimed was included is actually a
legitimate copy? Since the sticker is on the case, the seller is
required to surrender all installation media, too! If the seller
refuses then you probably have an illegal copy of Windows (i.e., what
you got was a used computer with a polluted hard drive).