Windows authenticity issues

[Guest]

My desktop is about a year old. I tried installing a new printer last week
and things went crazy. I have my computer about back to normal (printer
never installed) but then Windows asked to download the new (version)
antispyware program. I said okay and it began to download. I am now being
told my version of Windows being questioned as being authentic? When the
printer installation went haywire, I tried to do a restore to an earlier date
and found that that service, along with many others had been disabled. I
have all services turned back on (maybe not properly!) A tech was going to
have me go into DOS thru safe mode but I could not. Told I was missing or
corrupt WINDOWS ROOT>\SYSTEM32\HA L.DLL Tech support never did tell me what
that was about but said to reformat. Ugh.

 

[GreenieLeBrun]

My desktop is about a year old. I tried installing a new printer last week
and things went crazy. I have my computer about back to normal (printer
never installed) but then Windows asked to download the new (version)
antispyware program. I said okay and it began to download. I am now being
told my version of Windows being questioned as being authentic? When the
printer installation went haywire, I tried to do a restore to an earlier date
and found that that service, along with many others had been disabled. I
have all services turned back on (maybe not properly!) A tech was going to
have me go into DOS thru safe mode but I could not. Told I was missing or
corrupt WINDOWS ROOT>\SYSTEM32\HA L.DLL Tech support never did tell me what
that was about but said to reformat. Ugh.

And now you want to know or do what?

 

[Guest]

I am looking for any help with this problem besides doing the format. Seems
like this is ALWAYS the answer from tech support.

 

[GreenieLeBrun]

I am looking for any help with this problem besides doing the format. Seems
like this is ALWAYS the answer from tech support.

First off backup your data, mail, bookmarks, photos, etc. etc.

If your computer came with a proper XP CD then you could try a repair
install, make sure you have your product key handy, if you have lost
this or it is not handy then you should be able to recover it using
the Magical Jellybean key finder (
http://www.magicaljellybean.com/keyfinder.shtml ).

How to perform an in-place upgrade (reinstallation) of Windows
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;315341

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

If your machine came with only a restore CD then reformat is your only
option unless you want to go out and purchase a full retail version of
XP.

You will have to re-authenticate your install with Microsoft, if it
will not re-authenticate over the net then you will have to do this
over the phone.