get windows XP back

[Guest]

I had so many garbages in my home edition of XP. So, I decided to use a XP
professional that I bought from email ad (about $60). It said it was a legal
copy but will be unable to get update support from microsoft.
After loading it, my computer works fast and good, but I begin to see
memo from Microsoft that I am using an illegal copy.
Since, I don't like to do illegal thing, if it is, I want to restore my
Windows home edition. But I seem to lost the CD from DELL. My computer is
DELL Inspiron 5100 and Windows Key is still in the back fo the laptop.
Please, let me know if I can download my original XP home edition.
Thanks,

 

[Alias~-]

I had so many garbages in my home edition of XP. So, I decided to use a XP
professional that I bought from email ad (about $60). It said it was a legal
copy but will be unable to get update support from microsoft.

You're the reason pirates make money.

After loading it, my computer works fast and good, but I begin to see
memo from Microsoft that I am using an illegal copy.

Surprise, surprise.

Since, I don't like to do illegal thing, if it is, I want to restore my
Windows home edition. But I seem to lost the CD from DELL. My computer is
DELL Inspiron 5100 and Windows Key is still in the back fo the laptop.

You probably have the restore function on a hidden partition. Read your
Dell manual and see if you can still use it to restore back to Home.

Please, let me know if I can download my original XP home edition.
Thanks,

XP cannot be legally downloaded. If Dell cannot help, you will have to
buy XP again but this time buy it from a reputable vendor, not some
pirate that spams email. If you still have the details of the people who
sold you the pirated copy and a receipt, you can turn them into
Microsoft and Microsoft may give you a genuine copy of XP, although the
chances that the pirates are still at the same address are slim and none.

Alias

 

[Plato]

I had so many garbages in my home edition of XP. So, I decided to use a XP
professional that I bought from email ad (about $60). It said it was a legal
copy but will be unable to get update support from microsoft.
After loading it, my computer works fast and good, but I begin to see
memo from Microsoft that I am using an illegal copy.

I bought my XP from an email ad also but only paid $20. You might want
to start responding to more email ads so you can get the better deals
later on like I did.

 

[Mistoffolees]

I had so many garbages in my home edition of XP. So, I decided to use a XP
professional that I bought from email ad (about $60). It said it was a legal
copy but will be unable to get update support from microsoft.
After loading it, my computer works fast and good, but I begin to see
memo from Microsoft that I am using an illegal copy.
Since, I don't like to do illegal thing, if it is, I want to restore my
Windows home edition. But I seem to lost the CD from DELL. My computer is
DELL Inspiron 5100 and Windows Key is still in the back fo the laptop.
Please, let me know if I can download my original XP home edition.
Thanks,

Your two best options are: (a) Contact Dell and get a Windows
XP cdrom to replace the one that was shipped with the Inspiron
5100, and should be valid with the COA on the laptop's bottom
or (b) Buy a legitimate version of Windows XP Home, either
retail or "generic" OEM. There should be a separate utilities
cdrom that also shipped with the Inspiron 5100.

 

[Jupiter Jones [MVP]]

"It said it was a legal copy but will be unable to get update support from
microsoft"
This is the clue that all but proves it is stolen.
There is no such thing for sale legitimately.

Check you manual and/or contact Dell for restore procedure.
There may be a hidden partition specifically for this purpose.
However you may have destroyed that partition when you installed Windows XP
Pro.
You may be able to get a replacement CD from Dell, contact them.

A generic OEM CD may work with the Product Key affixed to the computer.
Do you know someone with a similar model Dell?

Otherwise you may have forced yourself to purchase Windows XP again if that
is what you want on your computer.

 

[AJR]

Evidently your XP copy does not pass the Windows Genuine Advantage test - it
will run OK - regarding updates - Microsoft will still permit downloading of
"critical" updates but not "routine" updates.
Also with the notice form Microsoft regarding the OS - there usually is
information on how to obtain a "legal" copy in it's place.

 

[Guest]

Thank to all of you answered with so valuable information. I would summarize
what I learned.
The copy that I bought seem to be "generic OEM" and it has code printed
on the CD itself. I do not think the copy was outright "illegal copy."
However, I am not sure what "generic OEM" exactly mean. If it was the
product that the seller meant, "This is a legal copy but you may not receive
support from Microsoft" then what I have to know is "How to use it right."
As one of you answered he got it for $20 and can use it legally, why not me?
I need not look for a $20 copy. Anyway, if there is no such a thing of legal
$60 or $20 copy, I will simply stop using the Pro copy.
I will try restore function as some of you suggested and also implied I
might have destroyed such function. I agree with you because when I was
installing the pro, I was told the partition was too small and I used C drive.
I am not willing to buy a new copy of Windows at this point because a
new laptop will cost me only $500. I will hang on until VISTA(?) becomes
available. Until then I may use a desktop or just buy a new laptop. I am so
afraid that my laptop is already so infected with viruses and spywares and
simply loading new copy of Windows XP may just be waste of money.
Thank you again to all of you.

 

[Rock]

As one of you answered he got it for $20 and can use it legally, why not
me?
I need not look for a $20 copy.

He was being sarcastic, implying you should have known it wasn't legit at
$60.