Removing Counterfeit Windows

[Patricia]

I'm having a problem with my older desktop. Apparently a couple of years ago
my uncle, a self professed computer expert, installed a non-genuine copy of
Windows XP Professional. (I had been having several issues with the pc and he
came over quite often to fix the problems).

I don't use the computer very often and never bothered with Windows Update.
Until a few days ago when I decided to allow Windows to install all the
necessary updates. To make a long story short, I now have the WGA
notification on my desktop and it won't go away.

I don't have anything of importance on the computer so I just want to remove
the WinXP Pro and install Windows XP Home using the original reinstallation
CD that came with my computer. But, is it as simple as removing and
reinstalling? Will I have problems using the original CD? Any help greatly
appreciated.

 

[Ken Blake]

I'm having a problem with my older desktop. Apparently a couple of years
ago
my uncle, a self professed computer expert, installed a non-genuine copy
of
Windows XP Professional. (I had been having several issues with the pc and
he
came over quite often to fix the problems).

I don't use the computer very often and never bothered with Windows
Update.
Until a few days ago when I decided to allow Windows to install all the
necessary updates. To make a long story short, I now have the WGA
notification on my desktop and it won't go away.

I don't have anything of importance on the computer so I just want to
remove
the WinXP Pro and install Windows XP Home using the original
reinstallation
CD that came with my computer. But, is it as simple as removing and
reinstalling?

Yes.

Will I have problems using the original CD?

No.

 

[Bruce Chambers]

I'm having a problem with my older desktop. Apparently a couple of years ago
my uncle, a self professed computer expert, installed a non-genuine copy of
Windows XP Professional. (I had been having several issues with the pc and he
came over quite often to fix the problems).

I don't use the computer very often and never bothered with Windows Update.
Until a few days ago when I decided to allow Windows to install all the
necessary updates. To make a long story short, I now have the WGA
notification on my desktop and it won't go away.

I don't have anything of importance on the computer so I just want to remove
the WinXP Pro and install Windows XP Home using the original reinstallation
CD that came with my computer. But, is it as simple as removing and
reinstalling? Will I have problems using the original CD? Any help greatly
appreciated.

The normal way to "uninstall" *any* operating system is to format
the hard drive and install a new OS of your choice.

Further, the only way to change from WinXP Pro to WinXP Home is to
format the hard drive and start over. There is no supported downgrade
path or technique.

After backing up any data you wish to transfer to the new OS
installation, simply boot from the WinXP Home 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

Then the backed up data can be restored and applications
re-installed from their original installation media.


--

Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:


http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx/kb/555375

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