Making it "legal"

[Guest]

I could be wrong, and I hope I am, but I'm curious.

My son in college had his hard drive go bad. He had a friend install a new
one. I think there's a chance that this "friend" loaded an illegal copy of
XP on his new hard drive. Everything's running fine, however.

But...is there a way to check to see if the installed XP is legal or not?
And if I find out it is an illegal copy, and we go buy a legal version - is
there a way to install a legal version of XP onto his laptop without erasing
all the other installed (and legal) software (such as Office, etc.)?

Thanks.

 

[Carey Frisch [MVP]]

How can I tell if my copy of Windows is genuine?
http://www.microsoft.com/genuine/downloads/WhyValidate.aspx

If you are getting the following error message when attempting to update:

Error Message: The Product Key Used to Install Windows Is Invalid
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;326904&Product=winxp

You'll have to purchase a new "Full Version" of Windows XP Professional
and perform a "Repair Install" using the new Windows XP Pro CD and Product Key
that comes with it. (You cannot simply change the Product Key)

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

--
Carey Frisch
Microsoft MVP
Windows - Shell/User
Microsoft Community Newsgroups
news://msnews.microsoft.com/

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

:

| I could be wrong, and I hope I am, but I'm curious.
|
| My son in college had his hard drive go bad. He had a friend install a new
| one. I think there's a chance that this "friend" loaded an illegal copy of
| XP on his new hard drive. Everything's running fine, however.
|
| But...is there a way to check to see if the installed XP is legal or not?
| And if I find out it is an illegal copy, and we go buy a legal version - is
| there a way to install a legal version of XP onto his laptop without erasing
| all the other installed (and legal) software (such as Office, etc.)?
|
| Thanks.

 

[Anando [MS-MVP]]

Hello,

How to tell piracy
http://www.microsoft.com/piracy/howtotell

How to change the Volume Licensing product key on a Windows XP SP1-based computer
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=328874

--

Anando
Microsoft MVP- Windows Shell/User
http://www.microsoft.com/mvp
http://www.mvps.org


Folder customizations
http://newdelhi.sancharnet.in/minku

Protect your PC!
http://www.microsoft.com/protect

 

[Jupiter Jones [MVP]]

See if this applies:
http://www3.telus.net/dandemar/invalpk.htm

If yours is pirated, there is information on that link to install a valid
Windows XP and keep all data and settings.

Also see:
http://www.microsoft.com/resources/howtotell/ww/default.mspx

If pirated is installed, tell your to avoid that "friend", at least when it
comes to computers.
Friends do not install pirated software.

 

[Jupiter Jones [MVP]]

Anando;
The second link only applies if the new key is ALSO a Volume License.
That does not apply to dissimilar types of keys.
In this case it is most likely the OP will get a retail license.

--
Jupiter Jones [MVP]
http://www3.telus.net/dandemar
http://www.dts-l.org

 

[Anando [MS-MVP]]

Correct. Noted that after I hit the infamous "Send" button ) Thanks.

--

Anando
Microsoft MVP- Windows Shell/User
http://www.microsoft.com/mvp
http://www.mvps.org


Folder customizations
http://newdelhi.sancharnet.in/minku

Protect your PC!
http://www.microsoft.com/protect

 

[kurttrail]

I could be wrong, and I hope I am, but I'm curious.

My son in college had his hard drive go bad. He had a friend install
a new one. I think there's a chance that this "friend" loaded an
illegal copy of XP on his new hard drive. Everything's running fine,
however.

But...is there a way to check to see if the installed XP is legal or
not? And if I find out it is an illegal copy, and we go buy a legal
version - is there a way to install a legal version of XP onto his
laptop without erasing all the other installed (and legal) software
(such as Office, etc.)?

Thanks.

Don't fix what ain't broke. You are BEGGING for trouble messing around
with something that is now working.

--
Peace!
Kurt
Self-anointed Moderator
microscum.pubic.windowsexp.gonorrhea
http://microscum.com/mscommunity
"Trustworthy Computing" is only another example of an Oxymoron!
"Produkt-Aktivierung macht frei"

 

[Daniel Blake]

Does your son's computer have the CD-Key sticker on the side of the
computer? If so, you should check to see if that CD-Key was used when the
new HD was installed.

If your son's CD-Key was used it doesn't matter what physical CD was used
to do the installation, The CD-Key is the part that matters. There is also
the possibility that a volume license version was installed that the
university owns. You would need to check with the university help desk,
but that can be legal for students to install on their computer.

I would check these items before messing with a working installation.

Kudos on wanting to remain legal. It works better for all of us.
Daniel Blake