pirated software

[Guest]

I just want to know how to uninstall this pirated version of Windows XP Pro.
I posted this to Windows support and am here at the suggested option. I
cannot restore the computer passed the day the illegal copy was installed and
find no way under add and remove programs to remove the software. I really
don't want to have to format my hard drive. Can someone tell me how to get
rid of this bogus installation?

-------------------------
Hello Bill,

Thank you for contacting Microsoft Online Customer Service.

I understand from your e-mail that you are notified of a counterfeit copy of
Windows. I realize your concern and will assist you in reaching the
appropriate resource.

As a Customer Service Representative, I can direct you to your support
options which include Self-Help Resources and Assisted Support. You may try
to resolve the problem on your own using the no-charge self-help resources
listed below. However, if you prefer assistance from a Microsoft Support
Professional, please choose the Assisted Support option mentioned below.

Self-Help Resources:
You may search the Product Solution Center or the Knowledge Base of
self-help articles to resolve your issue using the following link:
http://support.microsoft.com/ph/9860

You may also post your issue in the Microsoft news groups. For information
on how to use the Microsoft newsgroups, please visit the following link:
http://www.microsoft.com/communities/newsgroups/default.mspx

Assisted Support:
You may work with a Microsoft Support Professional via e-mail to resolve
your issue. Depending on how you obtained your software, there may be fees to
use the Assisted Support option. Please visit the following link to contact
the Support Team:
http://support.microsoft.com/oas/default.aspx?&ln=en-us&x=4&y=8&gprid=9860&

Bill, please note that if the Microsoft software came from your computer
manufacturer, please contact your computer manufacturer directly. Contact
information for most major computer manufacturers is available at:
http://www.support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?pr=oemphone

If you have additional questions, please write back to us.

Thank you for using Microsoft products and services.

Rajnish
Microsoft Online Customer Service Representative

If you have any feedback about your Online Customer Service experience,
please submit your feedback by visiting the web-link provided below:
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-----Original Message-----
From: (e-mail address removed) ([email protected])
Date: Friday, April 06, 2007 06:37 AM
To: CS ([email protected])
Subject: Invalid Windows XP Pro


---
CONTACT INFORMATION
First Name: Bill
Last Name: Stanley
---
CUSTOMER PROVIDED SYSTEM PROPERTIES
O/S: Version 5.1
Br: Version 6.0
Country/Region: United States
---
PRODUCT
Windows XP Professional
---
SYSTEM PROPERTIES
Ref URL: http://support.microsoft.com/contactus/?ws=support
O/S: windows nt 5.1
O/S Lang: en-us
Br: msie 6.0
Br lang: en-us
---
QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS
Message: I ordered my copy of Windows XP Pro over the internet. The
description on Ebay was that this was a genuine copy of XP Pro, complete with
holographic CD and Key. Now I am being told that this is instead a pirated
copy by the Windows genuine validation tool. I am furious and would be more
than happy to supply you with the name and shipping information I have from
the envelope the software came in.

 

[PA Bear]

What version of Windows had been installed prior to install the bogus
version of WinXP Pro?

Have you purchased a retail version of WinXP yet?

 

[Augustus]

I just want to know how to uninstall this pirated version of Windows XP
Pro.
I posted this to Windows support and am here at the suggested option. I
cannot restore the computer passed the day the illegal copy was installed
and
find no way under add and remove programs to remove the software. I really
don't want to have to format my hard drive. Can someone tell me how to get
rid of this bogus installation?

Did you upgrade a legit version of XP Home with a non-legit version if XP
Pro? This is a one-way journey unless you imaged your existing XP Home
install before doing the XP Pro install. I'm guessing you didn't otherwise
you wouldn't have posted. You can purchase a licence for the non-legit copy
so you don't have to do a hose down.

 

[Guest]

My previously installed version of XP is a legally purchased retail version
of Windows XP home full install version with service pack 2.

 

[Guest]

Yes my installed Windows XP was a legally purchased retail version of the
Home Edition full install version. You're right I did not make an image
backup of my drive prior to installing the pirated version. I am prepared to
purchase a legitimate license or more likely just go ahead and purchase the
full retail version. Needless to say I have learned that one can not trust
all the sellers at Ebay. Thanks for your response.

 

[Rock]

Yes my installed Windows XP was a legally purchased retail version of the
Home Edition full install version. You're right I did not make an image
backup of my drive prior to installing the pirated version. I am prepared
to
purchase a legitimate license or more likely just go ahead and purchase
the
full retail version. Needless to say I have learned that one can not trust
all the sellers at Ebay. Thanks for your response.

Unfortunately the only way to uninstall this pirated copy of XP Pro and go
back to Home is to do a clean install of XP Home. Backup your data, install
XP, reinstall apps from original media and restore the data.

http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/cleanxpinstall.html

Another option would be to buy an XP Pro license and do a repair install
inserting the new license key. That will retail programs and data but there
is the cost factor.

 

[Guest]

Thanks for the info. I concur with you, and I have surely learned a lesson.

 

[Rock]

You're welcome.
--
Rock [MS-MVP User/Shell]

Thanks for the info. I concur with you, and I have surely learned a
lesson.

 

[Stan]

What version of Windows had been installed prior to install the bogus
version of WinXP Pro?

That is assuming that WGA, in the whole time of it's miserable flawed
life has NEVER, EVER blamed an innocent person of being a thief....
Right?

 

[Stan]

Can someone tell me how to get
rid of this bogus installation?

First, make sure that it is, in fact, a "Bogus Installation". Google

WGA False Positive False Accusation Flawed

to see what's going on with this beast before allowing M$ to possibly
tricking you into shelling out your hard earned bucks to replace a
perfectly legal copy of windows.

 

[Terry]

I just want to know how to uninstall this pirated version of Windows XP Pro.
I posted this to Windows support and am here at the suggested option. I
cannot restore the computer passed the day the illegal copy was installed and
find no way under add and remove programs to remove the software. I really
don't want to have to format my hard drive. Can someone tell me how to get
rid of this bogus installation?

Won't XP let you replace the OS?

Can''t you just boot from CD and have an option of replacing the OS?

 

[Guest]

I tried that and Windows won't do it.

Won't XP let you replace the OS?

Can''t you just boot from CD and have an option of replacing the OS?

 

[Guest]

It is definitely a bogus copy unfortunately.

First, make sure that it is, in fact, a "Bogus Installation". Google

WGA False Positive False Accusation Flawed

to see what's going on with this beast before allowing M$ to possibly
tricking you into shelling out your hard earned bucks to replace a
perfectly legal copy of windows.

 

[Joe At Work]

Try this:
http://articles.techrepublic.com.com/5100-1035_11-5034890.html

 

[Guest]

You know what is ironic is that the jerks who I bought this version from
includes a genuine validation tool. I discovered this examining the CD which
also includes versions of some other products. The disk is also inundated
with various viruses. I would find that funny if I could see through the
tears.

 

[Stan]

It is definitely a bogus copy unfortunately.

Then I respectfully retract my statement. Good luck with trying to
sort that mess out.

 

[Stan]

I tried that and Windows won't do it.

Define "Won't do it". The original OS disk that supplied the
"Working" version of the OS that was on the machine should at least
let you do a reformat/reinstall unless the disk is damaged.

Regards,
Stan

 

[Guest]

I mean that my original Windows XP, the legal copy, won't install over the
pirated one. I know I can do a reformat and reinstallation, but that is what
I am trying to avoid. I might add that the genuine validation tool that the
hackers included on the disk of the pirated XP Pro doesn't work either. There
is nothing wrong with my original disk. I just don't want to reformat. Thanks
for your info however.

 

[Guest]

After trying the registry edit thing which did not work, the solution came to
me from out of no where. I had a brand new hard drive setting here that had
not yet been opened. So I took the old drive out and took the Scarlett O'hara
route, i.e. I'll deal with it later, formatted the new drive instead and set
the system up fresh with my home edition of XP. Since I am in the computer
business I regularly have to buy parts for new systems. I buy wholesale.
Whenever you purchase a motherboard, a CPU or a hard drive you can purchase
Windows XP Pro at the wholesale price, and that is what I did. Voila, I now
have fully legal versions of all the Windows XP releases including the X64
Pro version which I already had installed on my AMD Athlon 64 3500+ system.
Since I am currently using an Intel 2.6 system I could not install the X64
version on it--it is not a 64 bit CPU. Thanks everyone for your help and
suggestions. I'm sure I'll be a regular here.

Bill