Do I have to buy this copy of windows?

[Sam]

I've been battling this problem with XP which originated with a
corrupt registry that manifested itself with the following error
message:

"Windows could not start because the following file is missing or
corrupt:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\CONFIG\SYSTEM\" and which kept me from
getting into my oem xp home system.

After receiving zero cooperation from the vendor, I got hold of a copy
of Windows XP from a friend (since the vendor's copy was useless, it
just gave me the option to reformat my hard drive).

This allowed me to reboot to the recovery console, where I followed
Microsoft's instructions on this URL
"http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;q307545" to
back up and copy registry files from the windows\repair directory.

"copy c:\windows\system32\config\system c:\windows\tmp\system.bak
copy c:\windows\system32\config\software c:\windows\tmp\software.bak
copy c:\windows\system32\config\sam c:\windows\tmp\sam.bak
copy c:\windows\system32\config\security c:\windows\tmp\security.bak
copy c:\windows\system32\config\default c:\windows\tmp\default.bak

etc.

However, this generated a lockout because now some password had
changed.

"lsass.exe when trying to update password return status value provided
as current password incorrect".

And I couldn't log in from the recovery console, since this now was
also asking for an admin password (which I had left blank originally
but now wasn't being accepted).

I finally gave up the ghost and made a fresh windows install over the
existing one.

So, now I at least now I can access all of my hard drive data.

But - I'm now getting a nag prompt to register this version of Windows
XP within 30 days. What does this mean? I've already paid for the OS
twice - once when I bought the computer, and again when I re-purchased
the (useless) start-up disk from the vendor. Do I have to pay for XP
Home a third time???

tia,
Sam_Hunt

 

[Shenan Stanley]

I've been battling this problem with XP which originated with a
corrupt registry that manifested itself with the following error
message:

"Windows could not start because the following file is missing or
corrupt:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\CONFIG\SYSTEM\" and which kept me from
getting into my oem xp home system.

After receiving zero cooperation from the vendor, I got hold of a copy
of Windows XP from a friend (since the vendor's copy was useless, it
just gave me the option to reformat my hard drive).

This allowed me to reboot to the recovery console, where I followed
Microsoft's instructions on this URL
"http://support.Microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;q307545" to
back up and copy registry files from the windows\repair directory.

"copy c:\windows\system32\config\system c:\windows\tmp\system.bak
copy c:\windows\system32\config\software c:\windows\tmp\software.bak
copy c:\windows\system32\config\sam c:\windows\tmp\sam.bak
copy c:\windows\system32\config\security c:\windows\tmp\security.bak
copy c:\windows\system32\config\default c:\windows\tmp\default.bak

etc.

However, this generated a lockout because now some password had
changed.

"lsass.exe when trying to update password return status value provided
as current password incorrect".

And I couldn't log in from the recovery console, since this now was
also asking for an admin password (which I had left blank originally
but now wasn't being accepted).

I finally gave up the ghost and made a fresh windows install over the
existing one.

So, now I at least now I can access all of my hard drive data.

But - I'm now getting a nag prompt to register this version of Windows
XP within 30 days. What does this mean? I've already paid for the OS
twice - once when I bought the computer, and again when I re-purchased
the (useless) start-up disk from the vendor. Do I have to pay for XP
Home a third time???

No. You have to REACTIVATE as it is telling you.
This is to prevent you from installing the same copy on multiple computers.
You owe no more money, just activate it. If it has been more than 120 days
since you activated, you should have no problem activating over the
Internet.
If not, you may have to actually activate by phone.

 

[Cerridwen]

I've been battling this problem with XP which originated with a
corrupt registry that manifested itself with the following error
message:

"Windows could not start because the following file is missing or
corrupt:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\CONFIG\SYSTEM\" and which kept me from
getting into my oem xp home system.

After receiving zero cooperation from the vendor, I got hold of a copy
of Windows XP from a friend (since the vendor's copy was useless, it
just gave me the option to reformat my hard drive).

This allowed me to reboot to the recovery console, where I followed
Microsoft's instructions on this URL
"http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;q307545" to
back up and copy registry files from the windows\repair directory.

"copy c:\windows\system32\config\system c:\windows\tmp\system.bak
copy c:\windows\system32\config\software c:\windows\tmp\software.bak
copy c:\windows\system32\config\sam c:\windows\tmp\sam.bak
copy c:\windows\system32\config\security c:\windows\tmp\security.bak
copy c:\windows\system32\config\default c:\windows\tmp\default.bak

etc.

However, this generated a lockout because now some password had
changed.

"lsass.exe when trying to update password return status value provided
as current password incorrect".

And I couldn't log in from the recovery console, since this now was
also asking for an admin password (which I had left blank originally
but now wasn't being accepted).

I finally gave up the ghost and made a fresh windows install over the
existing one.

So, now I at least now I can access all of my hard drive data.

But - I'm now getting a nag prompt to register this version of Windows
XP within 30 days. What does this mean? I've already paid for the OS
twice - once when I bought the computer, and again when I re-purchased
the (useless) start-up disk from the vendor. Do I have to pay for XP
Home a third time???

tia,
Sam_Hunt

Actually, you've never paid for your operating system - or at least never
paid the same price as a retail licence. The licence which was included with
the system, probably accounted for less than 1% of its purchase price (so,
unless you paid £20,000 for the system, you didn't pay retail price). The
"start up disc" was exactly that - a disc to start the system - it was *NOT*
a copy of the OS, and the price probably reflected that.

Unfortunately, I don't believe Shenan read the question properly. You
*cannot* activate that licence as it isn't yours, it belongs to your friend
so, unless he's willing to gift/sell it to you (and to do that he must
remove it from his system). This is assuming it's not an OEM licence, in
which case he cannot do either. You cannot activate it as it is (I assume)
still installed on his system and you would be in violation of the EULA.

You now have two choices: -

1) You can purchase a full retail version of your chosen flavour and use
it to do a repair installation.

2) Purchase Drive Image 7 and use it to take a clone of your current
system, and reimage the drive. This may not work (as I fear it won't) and
you may have to format the drive and reinstall clean to remove all traces of
the OEM version.

 

[Sam]

No. You have to REACTIVATE as it is telling you.
This is to prevent you from installing the same copy on multiple computers.
You owe no more money, just activate it. If it has been more than 120 days
since you activated, you should have no problem activating over the
Internet.
If not, you may have to actually activate by phone.

Right, but I "borrowed" this one from a friend in the computer
business. There is a distinct possibility that it *is* active
somewhere.

Sam_Hunt.

 

[Shenan Stanley]

After receiving zero cooperation from the vendor, I got hold of a copy
of Windows XP from a friend (since the vendor's copy was useless, it
just gave me the option to reformat my hard drive).

I finally gave up the ghost and made a fresh windows install over the
existing one.

So, now I at least now I can access all of my hard drive data.
But - I'm now getting a nag prompt to register this version of
Windows XP within 30 days. What does this mean? I've already paid
for the OS twice - once when I bought the computer, and again when
I re-purchased the (useless) start-up disk from the vendor. Do I
have to pay for XP Home a third time???

No. You have to REACTIVATE as it is telling you.
This is to prevent you from installing the same copy on multiple
computers. You owe no more money, just activate it. If it has been
more than 120 days since you activated, you should have no problem
activating over the Internet.
If not, you may have to actually activate by phone.

Right, but I "borrowed" this one from a friend in the computer
business. There is a distinct possibility that it *is* active
somewhere.

Oh, I misunderstood. I thought when you said you "made a fresh install",
you used your copy. Well then, I am surprised you even have to ask.
Technically, by the terms of the EULA which you agreed to while installing
your "friends" copy - yes, you would have to purchase another copy. The
original CD you got with the machine is an OEM and this CD is not.

If you want a legal loophole, there is not one if you consider the EULA a
legal document which by installing, you agreed to.

If you want a way where you don't have to buy a license for the copy you
have installed now or where you can install your copy over the one you have
now and activate it instead, technically, there is not one.

Your best bet is to (since you can access the data now) burn your data to
CD/DVD or get it off the machine's first hard drive in some way (you have a
computer friend who can loan you a copy of his CD, he must have an extra
hard drive or be able to allow you to use a network for a while or even
(best) allow you to GHOST what you have, reinstall with your copy, and copy
the ghost image file (along with Ghost Explorer) to your machine until you
get all of your files back) and reinstall your copy from scratch. The copy
you have installed now *is* different than your copy "according to the
EULA", and if you have any faith in the EULA as a legal document, you are
bound by it.

All that is a moral issue, however. Technically, you could probably get
away with activating the copy you have on the machine if thta copy has not
been activated in 120+ days or you feel like telling some story to the
people on the other end of the phone conversations if you call to activate.
*shrug*

Up to you.

 

[Sam]

Sam wrote:

All that is a moral issue, however.

I feel victimized. It was never my intention to install XP - I needed
it for the recovery tool, so I could simply use the OS I had
originally purchased, which is all I ever wanted. My original vendor
misrepresented by stating that the recovery disk would provide a
non-destructive restore option - however when I bought it I found out
this was not the case. Also they tell customers they are getting XP
with the computer, but they don't tell them it's a crippled version,
and then they try to conceal that fact when you're trying to debug
your problem.

In addition, because of M$Soft's poor recovery documentation, I ended
up with a password lockout problem - which could have been avoided if
the documentation had been written properly. I've seen on google one
or two examples of people who have been locked out by this same exact
probem, following the same exact instructions. It was following this
procedure written by M$Soft that forced me to ultimately install
M$soft's version of XP, which again I didn't want in the first place.

Hmm...I may be forced to buy a new version of XP due to the erroneous
documention. Maybe that's why it's allowed to stay out there. Very
devious, but fiendishly clever, on M$Soft's part, if it's true. But
then again, it would be consistent with thier business practices.

I've clearly been lessoned by professionals, here. I may have to give
Linux another shot. I hear it's getting better.

Sam_Hunt.

 

[Shenan Stanley]

I feel victimized. It was never my intention to install XP - I needed
it for the recovery tool, so I could simply use the OS I had
originally purchased, which is all I ever wanted. My original vendor
misrepresented by stating that the recovery disk would provide a
non-destructive restore option - however when I bought it I found out
this was not the case. Also they tell customers they are getting XP
with the computer, but they don't tell them it's a crippled version,
and then they try to conceal that fact when you're trying to debug
your problem.

In addition, because of M$Soft's poor recovery documentation, I ended
up with a password lockout problem - which could have been avoided if
the documentation had been written properly. I've seen on google one
or two examples of people who have been locked out by this same exact
probem, following the same exact instructions. It was following this
procedure written by M$Soft that forced me to ultimately install
M$soft's version of XP, which again I didn't want in the first place.

Hmm...I may be forced to buy a new version of XP due to the erroneous
documention. Maybe that's why it's allowed to stay out there. Very
devious, but fiendishly clever, on M$Soft's part, if it's true. But
then again, it would be consistent with thier business practices.

I've clearly been lessoned by professionals, here. I may have to give
Linux another shot. I hear it's getting better.

Linux has made some great strides.. no doubt there. The problem with Linux
now, in my opinion, is found in a few areas when it comes to end-user
(non-server) applications/uses.

- End-Users are not used to having to choose their "flavor", not only of the
OS, but of the extras and GUI that they use. In Linux, you must do this
initially - although, you never have to stick with it. Change is inevitable
and if you don't try out most of your options, you will never know what is
better and just get used to one and live with its shortcomings - something I
have seen happen too often with new Linux users.. Try more than one, but
this WILL take up a great deal of time! Look through this page for example:
http://www.linux.org/dist/list.html

- Applications, although a variety exist, are just not to the commercial
level that those that are used with Windows/Macintosh are. Open Office is
great, and there are other products very similar to it, but if you have to
work in the real world and interact with it, the compatability is not there.

- Ease of use.. Although Linux has come a long way, the GUI interface
(whichever of the many you choose) are different, not necessarily
intuitive - especially if you come from a Windows only background. There is
nothing wrong with them and a learning curve is all it takes to overcome
most of the shortcokings, HOWEVER, with Linux you are still better off for
learning some command line and using it when possible.

For someone really just learning, might I suggest the Fedora Project
(formally RedHat Linux, well, actually spun off RedHat.)
http://fedora.redhat.com/

You may also want to visit "JustLinux" at http://www.justlinux.com/. The
forum might be useful to help you answer some questions.

Good luck in whatever you decide to do. Sorry to hear about your
experiences with Windows XP. Most of my experiences (personally) have been
very good, but I suppose being a "techie", things are definitely a little
twisted for me.

 

[Donald McDaniel]

I feel victimized. It was never my intention to install XP - I needed
it for the recovery tool, so I could simply use the OS I had
originally purchased, which is all I ever wanted. My original vendor
misrepresented by stating that the recovery disk would provide a
non-destructive restore option - however when I bought it I found out
this was not the case. Also they tell customers they are getting XP
with the computer, but they don't tell them it's a crippled version,
and then they try to conceal that fact when you're trying to debug
your problem.

In addition, because of M$Soft's poor recovery documentation, I ended
up with a password lockout problem - which could have been avoided if
the documentation had been written properly. I've seen on google one
or two examples of people who have been locked out by this same exact
probem, following the same exact instructions. It was following this
procedure written by M$Soft that forced me to ultimately install
M$soft's version of XP, which again I didn't want in the first place.

Hmm...I may be forced to buy a new version of XP due to the erroneous
documention. Maybe that's why it's allowed to stay out there. Very
devious, but fiendishly clever, on M$Soft's part, if it's true. But
then again, it would be consistent with thier business practices.

I've clearly been lessoned by professionals, here. I may have to give
Linux another shot. I hear it's getting better.

Sam_Hunt.

In the midst of your whining, you fail to tell us your problem. Please
repost giving us an unemotional description of your problem so that we can
help, if possible,

--
Donald L McDaniel
Post all replies to the Newsgroup,
so that all may be informed.
Remove the obvious to reply by email.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

 

[Shenan Stanley]

I feel victimized. It was never my intention to install XP - I needed
it for the recovery tool, so I could simply use the OS I had
originally purchased, which is all I ever wanted. My original vendor
misrepresented by stating that the recovery disk would provide a
non-destructive restore option - however when I bought it I found out
this was not the case. Also they tell customers they are getting XP
with the computer, but they don't tell them it's a crippled version,
and then they try to conceal that fact when you're trying to debug
your problem.

In the midst of your whining, you fail to tell us your problem.
Please repost giving us an unemotional description of your problem so
that we can help, if possible,

Donald,

My guess is that your history (or ISP) is not picking up the entire thread.
The original question was the following:

I've been battling this problem with XP which originated with a
corrupt registry that manifested itself with the following error
message:

"Windows could not start because the following file is missing or
corrupt:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\CONFIG\SYSTEM\" and which kept me from
getting into my oem xp home system.

After receiving zero cooperation from the vendor, I got hold of a copy
of Windows XP from a friend (since the vendor's copy was useless, it
just gave me the option to reformat my hard drive).

This allowed me to reboot to the recovery console, where I followed
Microsoft's instructions on this URL
"http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;q307545" to
back up and copy registry files from the windows\repair directory.

"copy c:\windows\system32\config\system c:\windows\tmp\system.bak
copy c:\windows\system32\config\software c:\windows\tmp\software.bak
copy c:\windows\system32\config\sam c:\windows\tmp\sam.bak
copy c:\windows\system32\config\security c:\windows\tmp\security.bak
copy c:\windows\system32\config\default c:\windows\tmp\default.bak

etc.

However, this generated a lockout because now some password had
changed.

"lsass.exe when trying to update password return status value provided
as current password incorrect".

And I couldn't log in from the recovery console, since this now was
also asking for an admin password (which I had left blank originally
but now wasn't being accepted).

I finally gave up the ghost and made a fresh windows install over the
existing one.

So, now I at least now I can access all of my hard drive data.

But - I'm now getting a nag prompt to register this version of Windows
XP within 30 days. What does this mean? I've already paid for the OS
twice - once when I bought the computer, and again when I re-purchased
the (useless) start-up disk from the vendor. Do I have to pay for XP
Home a third time???

tia,
Sam_Hunt

Does that help, Donald?

 

[James Williams]

Wait a minute. Sam, do you have a Certificate of Authenticity for the
product? If you do, then you have every right to install the product on
your computer using your buddy's DC. It comes down to a question of
LICENSE KEYS, not CDs.

You can use my CD to install, so long as it's the same version as is
supported by your LICENSE (i.e. you can't install XP Pro if you have an
XP Home license).

All the registration process is is a hash of some hardware values
(theoretically to ID your specific PC) and the LICENSE KEY. There's
nothing about sharing CDs. The whole thing about burning CDs is that
openly allowing CD copying promotes license sharing and that unless you
make the copy yourself, you don't know that there aren't some little
surprises buried down there on the CD. You can bundle a ton of stuff
into a Windows install that could break your system in many ways that
aren't Microsoft's fault and shouldn't be their problem.

(j)
James

 

[Shenan Stanley]

Wait a minute. Sam, do you have a Certificate of Authenticity for the
product? If you do, then you have every right to install the product
on your computer using your buddy's DC. It comes down to a question
of LICENSE KEYS, not CDs.

You can use my CD to install, so long as it's the same version as is
supported by your LICENSE (i.e. you can't install XP Pro if you have
an XP Home license).

His "buddy's" was XP Retail and his was XP OEM..
Also not an allowed switch, because of differences in the support and such.
EULA's are different between OEM and RETAIL I do believe.

 

[James Williams]

You are correct. According to the Piracy hotline (I had some spare time
today), the OEM Product Key on the COA is directly tied to the
individual CD.... Yikes. How asinine is that?

Remind me how glad I am to buy from distribution..... 8)

(j)
James

 

[Donald McDaniel]

You are correct. According to the Piracy hotline (I had some spare
time today), the OEM Product Key on the COA is directly tied to the
individual CD.... Yikes. How asinine is that?

Remind me how glad I am to buy from distribution..... 8)

(j)
James

Not quite. The Product key is tied to the TYPE of disk which is used to
install the OS, not the exact disk which was provided with the individual
key.

I other words, an OEM key must be used with OEM media, and a Retail key
must be used with Retail media.

That it, an individual OEM key can be used with ANY disk, as long as it is
OEM. And an individual Retail key can be used with ANY disk, as long as it
is Retail.

In addition, an individual key must be used with the correct edition of XP.
That is, a Home key can only be used with a Home disk, and a Professional
key can only be used with a Professional disk.

--
Donald L McDaniel
Post all replies to the Newsgroup,
so that all may be informed.
Remove the obvious to reply by email.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

 

[Patrick J. LoPresti]

Not quite. The Product key is tied to the TYPE of disk which is
used to install the OS, not the exact disk which was provided with
the individual key.
Correct...

I other words, an OEM key must be used with OEM media, and a Retail key
must be used with Retail media.

Also correct...

That it, an individual OEM key can be used with ANY disk, as long as
it is OEM. And an individual Retail key can be used with ANY disk,
as long as it is Retail.

Almost but not quite correct. There are different "strains" of OEM
media. For example, Dell OEM media is a separate strain; you cannot
use a Dell key with (say) IBM OEM media, nor vice-versa.

To figure out exactly which strain of media you have, you can examine
the "Pid" value in the i386/setupp.ini file. If the Pid values match
on a pair of CDs, then they are the same strain and will accept the
same type of keys.

Some people erroneously call this "BIOS locked" media.

Cheers!

- Pat

 

[Sam]

You are correct. According to the Piracy hotline (I had some spare time
today), the OEM Product Key on the COA is directly tied to the
individual CD.... Yikes. How asinine is that?

Remind me how glad I am to buy from distribution..... 8)

(j)
James

I wish I had bought from distribution. I had no idea I was getting a
crippled version of XP with my purchase. Maybe it's buried in the fine
print in a document somewhere.

I can understand M$Soft's desire to cut down on piracy. They make a
product and people steal it; they try to prevent that. Not a problem.

But the OEM picture much hazier. Why is there a need for this? More to
the point, why is the OEM version crippled such that I need to
reformat my entire hard drive simply because of a corrupt file in the
OS, when this code comes with the standard version? They must have
needed to go in an intentially remove this option from the base-code.
Why did they do that (Winbook)?

My understanding when I purchased the computer was that I was getting
a legitimate copy of Windows XP Home.

However, as soon as I run into a simply problem, I find out I have a
bastardized version which precludes my restoring one single corrupted
file in my OS; but instead requires that I delete all my apps and
data, requiring untold hours of time, effort, and inconvenience to
restore. Maybe expense, for that mattter, if I've lost my original
installs for my apps.

Any normal install doesn't, or shouldn't, require a reformat of the
hard drive unless the file structure is different - obviously not in
this case, since it's the "same" OS.

I can only speculate as to Winbook's motives for doing this, as well
as M$Soft's role in the whole thing. All I know is taht in the end,
I'm the one footing the bill, and WinCrook and M$Soft are somehow
managing to eke ever more money out of me despite the fact that none
of it would have been necessary had a reasonable version of the OS
been provided to me in the first place.

Sam_Hunt

 

[Sam]

Wait a minute. Sam, do you have a Certificate of Authenticity for the
product? If you do, then you have every right to install the product on
your computer using your buddy's DC. It comes down to a question of
LICENSE KEYS, not CDs.

Actually, I didn't realize it - but I do! It was attached to the
bottom of my computer.

So, using that, I was able to activate my copy of Windows. Happy
ending, amazingly enough.

Regards,
Same