Dadeo said:
I bought a used desktop with Windows XP Pro and Windows Office Pro 2003
loaded. I recently found out my programs are not originals, so I get
"not a licensed copy" messages from Microsoft. I've now purchased a
legal OEM copy of Win XP Pro with service pack 2 and Win Office Pro
2003.
Can I simply install both programs over the existing? In other words,
if I install the legal copies, will it overwrite the bad copies?
You could do it that way, with a bit more effort, but it isn't a good idea.
With second-hand computers, especially if acquired from strangers but
perhaps even if acquired from a family member or friend, your wisest
course of action would definitely be to format the hard drives and start
fresh. You don't want to get in trouble because the original owner may
have filled the hard drive with kiddie porn, or have problems because
the original owner downloaded/installed viruses or other malware.
After backing up any important data, simply boot from the WinXP
installation CD. You'll be offered the opportunity to delete, create,
and format partitions as part of the installation process. (You may need
to re-arrange the order of boot devices in the PC's BIOS to boot from
the CD.)
HOW TO Install Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=KB;en-us;316941
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/cleanxpinstall.html
http://www.webtree.ca/windowsxp/clean_install.htm
I
have this fear that I'll lose files, favorites, data files, etc.
Back up any important data before starting. You should do this
regardless of which repair method you choose, because something can
always go wrong.
How
simple or hard is this process.
You could purchase and use a _legitimate_ retail or OEM full
license of WinXP Pro to perform a repair (a.k.a. in-place upgrade)
installation, using the new CD and Product Keys.
How to Perform an In-Place Upgrade of Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/directory/article.asp?ID=KB;EN-US;Q315341
How to Perform a Windows XP Repair Install
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/XPrepairinstall.htm
What should I do to protect myself? (I
know, don't buy a use PC) Be gentle, I'm a newbee. Thanks everyone.
Back up any important data before starting. You should do this
regardless of which repair method you choose, because something can
always go wrong.
--
Bruce Chambers
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