make a pirate winxp legal

  • Thread starter Thread starter david
  • Start date Start date
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david

Six months ago, my granddaughter bought a used computer from a friend. When
sp2 came out, I tried to update her computer and but it would not update. I
do not remember the message but I think she has a pirate version of winxp.
I also think it may be damaged because when I tried to run SBS&D, "fix
problems" failed because it could not find a winxp file. That could be a
virus problem and I will try to clean the viruses out today.

How do I convert her pirate winxp to a legal version? If we buy winxp can I
do a repair install so we do not have to reinstall all her programs and
drivers or is she out of luck?

I have seen similar questions in the past but I ignored them because I did
not think anyone in the family had a problem, KIDS!

David
 
You'll need to purchase a "Full Version" of
Windows XP Professional and perform a
"repair install".

How to Perform a Windows XP Repair Install
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/XPrepairinstall.htm

[Courtesy of MS-MVP Michael Stevens]

--
Carey Frisch
Microsoft MVP
Windows XP - Shell/User

Be Smart! Protect Your PC!
http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/protect/default.aspx

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

:

| Six months ago, my granddaughter bought a used computer from a friend. When
| sp2 came out, I tried to update her computer and but it would not update. I
| do not remember the message but I think she has a pirate version of winxp.
| I also think it may be damaged because when I tried to run SBS&D, "fix
| problems" failed because it could not find a winxp file. That could be a
| virus problem and I will try to clean the viruses out today.
|
| How do I convert her pirate winxp to a legal version? If we buy winxp can I
| do a repair install so we do not have to reinstall all her programs and
| drivers or is she out of luck?
|
| I have seen similar questions in the past but I ignored them because I did
| not think anyone in the family had a problem, KIDS!
|
| David
 
Buy a full retail version and do a repair install using the
new product key. But a clean install will be better since
the pirated copy may have errors or missing files.



| david wrote:
| >
| > How do I convert her pirate winxp to a legal version?
If we buy winxp can I
|
| Wipe the drive. But a real copy of XP. Install fresh.
|
|
 
In answer to the OP, a repair install of XP from a legitimate XP license
should leave all currently installed applications and files intact. They
will only need to use the legitimate activation code to set everything as it
should be. Make sure to back-up anything of importance first.

JAX
 
I looked at the update error message again and it says that the code may not
be valid. When I go to the help site, that message is not listed. Control
panel/system lists the s/w as winxp sp2 build 2055. The
$ntservicepackunistall$ file is there along with other uninstall files. So
I do not know that the program is a pirate version. How do I find out?

Would the update fail if a beta version of sp 2 was installed?

David
 
Hi David,

You've made the "wicket sticky". I hope someone else can come to the rescue.

LOL, JAX
 
David;
Verify it is in fact a pirate version:
http://www3.telus.net/dandemar/invalpk.htm
Also if you do not have original CD, original Product and the
documentation, it is not a legal installation.

Difficult to tell with a Beta, especially a Beta that was not
available to the public.
There have been occasional stories of people modifying the code to
make it work.
There is no telling what else they did.
This is extremely rare but possible.

You should uninstall the Beta, see FAQ #2 & #4 on this link:
http://www3.telus.net/dandemar/xpsp2.htm
 
david said:
*Six months ago, my granddaughter bought a used computer from a
friend. When
sp2 came out, I tried to update her computer and but it would not
update. I
do not remember the message but I think she has a pirate version of
winxp.
I also think it may be damaged because when I tried to run SBS&D,
"fix
problems" failed because it could not find a winxp file. That could
be a
virus problem and I will try to clean the viruses out today.

How do I convert her pirate winxp to a legal version? If we buy
winxp can I
do a repair install so we do not have to reinstall all her programs
and
drivers or is she out of luck?

I have seen similar questions in the past but I ignored them because
I did
not think anyone in the family had a problem, KIDS!

David *
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