ILLEGAL TO LEGAL

[tropicalrains]

I bought a computer with a illegal copy of windows xp installed. I was
able to use my pc with no problems until I tried to upgrade my present
IE and messengers. Recently I was given a LEGAL cd with windows xp. I
have tried to install it using the repair function, but i got a
mesaage that said it cant be repaired and would have install freshly.
I do not have a backup system and i don't want to lose any of my
programs and files. I think that the legal copy recognizes that my
present copy is illegal so it wont let me repair. Is there anyway that
i can get round past this without losing all my data and reformatting
my hd?

 

[David B.]

What version (home, pro, oem, retail) is the pirated copy and what version
is the one you purchased?
If you have the common pirated version which is the volume license of Pro,
and your trying to repair with any version of Home, it will not work, you'll
have to format and install clean. To perform the repair you'll need to
purchase Pro.

 

[smlunatick]

I bought a computer with a illegal copy of windows xp installed. I was
able to use my pc with no problems until I tried to upgrade my present
IE and messengers. Recently I was given a LEGAL cd with windows xp. I
have tried to install it using the repair function, but i got a
mesaage that said it cant be repaired and would have install freshly.
I do not have a backup system and i don't want to lose any of my
programs and files. I think that the legal copy recognizes that my
present copy is illegal so it wont let me repair. Is there anyway that
i can get round past this without losing all my data and reformatting
my hd?

There is two repair methods. You have tried the Repair function
within the CD boot sequence.

You will need to locate the info on how to perform a repair reinstall
of XP on top of the installed version, providing the CD is of the same
version (Pro or Home.)