HD Crash -- going to need two re-installs of XP probably

[Guest]

I built my own computer and installed a genuine copy of XP that I got from
the local Microsoft store (MS Charlotte, NC site).

After experiencing a number of "brown outs" in our area due to construction,
my computer has crashed -- it appears that the master boot record and
partition information has become corrupted. My plan was/is to install XP to
a new hard drive while I run data recovery tools to try and recover the data
on the original hard drive. Unless everything goes absolutely perfectly with
the recovery, I will probably have to do two new installs of XP: one to the
new HD while I recover and a second back to the original HD (as it appears to
pass all testing is still good). At that point I will reformat the 'new' HD
for use in another computer I'm building.

Can I do this legally? I'm just trying to get back to where I was before
the crash. If so, is this going to use up my two free calls to Microsoft for
support just to do this or is there another specific number to call for
validation?

Many thanks in advance for your thoughts.

 

[Ted Zieglar]

You can install your copy of Windows XP on your own computer as many times
as you like, no problem. What's not legal is to install your copy of XP on
more than one computer at the same time.

May I make two suggestions?

1. Buy yourself a UPS to protect your equipment from brownouts.
2. I would be very cautious about using a hard drive that went through a
brownout severe enough to crash the computer.

 

[Guest]

Ted - first, thank you very much for the reply.

If I'm allowed to install XP on my computer as many times as I like, how
come now that I've installed it on the new hard drive it doesn't pass the
"Microsoft Genuine" check online when I try to get it updated sufficiently?
Do I need to call Microsoft to get this resolved?

And yes, I have indeed NOW purchased a UPS for every computer in our home --
20/20 hindsight <sigh>

A couple of others have told me to be wary of the previously crashed drive
also -- but it appears to pass every test I throw at it.

Appreciate any answers you may have about my questions above -- thx again.

 

[Ted Zieglar]

The "Genuine Microsoft Software" utiliuty tests whether your copy of Windows
XP is legitimate. XP doesn't become 'illegitimate' if you install it too
many times. If your copy of XP is not legitimate, Microsoft suggests you
return your computer or your XP CD to the point of purchase and ask for a
legitimate copy of XP. Of course, you could always buy a legitimate copy of
XP.

 

[Guest]

Then something doesn't make sense. I am using the exact same XP CD that I
used to initially install XP on this same computer, just to a different hard
drive. And I'm not sure how much more legitimate you can get than by
purchasing the software from a Microsoft store.

 

[DL]

There can be problems with the Genuine MS tool, this from an earlier post

Please follow this WGA troubleshooting procedure:

1. Download and install the WGA Diagnostic Tool:
http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?linkid=52012

2. After running the WGA Diagnostic Tool, click
on the "Office" tab and then click on "Copy to Clipboard".

3. Visit the following website and create a post in the
"WGA Validation Problems" forum and paste the
results of the WGA Diagnostic Data in your post.
http://forums.microsoft.com/Genuine/default.aspx?SiteID=25

4. A WGA troubleshooting specialist will analyze the data and
recommend an appropriate solution.

 

[Guest]

Excellent information -- thank you DL. I will give that a try tonight.