Windows XP on used computer

[Guest]

My niece bought a computer from a handicapped program. She is a single
mother, going to school to be a nurse, and works part-time only at Walmart,
she pays everything herself. She bought this computer as she needed one for
school and had only limited funds. When she got it home and turned it on,
after a short time she got a message about her version of windows xp not
being legal and she needed to contact Microsoft. They told her she would have
to get the origional software from the origional owner in order to continue
to use windows XP on that computer. She contacted the handicap program and
the man she got it from, and they have only a software that is used by them
for making repairs and working on computers given to them in order to sell
them. They had recieved the computer via another program where people donate
items to the handicap program, etc, to help handicap people make some money.
They had no clue who donated the computer. So, therefore there is no way to
contact the person who origionally owned the computer. It was suggested for
her to go and buy the xp update and register it and that should solve the
problem. So, she went and scraped and saved and bought the update which, for
her, was not cheap. She read me what the box said today and it says that this
software will install only if you are a licensed user. Now, she hasn't a clue
what to do and we can't find anyone to help us. Why should she be punished
for buying a computer that already has the product on it. Is there not
somehow she can register it to herself? I mean, this is an important part of
her goal of getting out of the welfare ranks and providing a decent living
for her family. Thanks

 

[Phil Anthropist]

My niece bought a computer from a handicapped program. She is a single
mother, going to school to be a nurse, and works part-time only at
Walmart,
she pays everything herself. She bought this computer as she needed one
for
school and had only limited funds. When she got it home and turned it on,
after a short time she got a message about her version of windows xp not
being legal and she needed to contact Microsoft. They told her she would
have
to get the origional software from the origional owner in order to
continue
to use windows XP on that computer. She contacted the handicap program
and
the man she got it from, and they have only a software that is used by
them
for making repairs and working on computers given to them in order to sell
them. They had recieved the computer via another program where people
donate
items to the handicap program, etc, to help handicap people make some
money.
They had no clue who donated the computer. So, therefore there is no way
to
contact the person who origionally owned the computer. It was suggested
for
her to go and buy the xp update and register it and that should solve the
problem. So, she went and scraped and saved and bought the update which,
for
her, was not cheap. She read me what the box said today and it says that
this
software will install only if you are a licensed user. Now, she hasn't a
clue
what to do and we can't find anyone to help us. Why should she be punished
for buying a computer that already has the product on it. Is there not
somehow she can register it to herself? I mean, this is an important part
of
her goal of getting out of the welfare ranks and providing a decent living
for her family. Thanks

The only Windows XP updates I know of are ones that Microsoft provide for
free, usually in the form of downloads on the internet, or in the case of
large service packs, on a free CD. These would not fix the problem that your
niece is having being unable to run Windows XP. She is having this problem
because as far as Microsoft is concerned she has no right to run Windows XP,
because the software was not transferred with the computer therefore
Microsoft will not activate Windows XP. This is a condition of Microsoft's
end-user licence agreement. I don't think that Microsoft is interested in
your niece's personal circumstances. As the original software for Windows XP
is not available your niece needs to obtain a new retail version of Windows
XP Home Edition. This will have a new serial number which hasn't been
activated before, therefore Microsoft will activate it once a fresh version
of Windows XP is installed. What did she buy exactly? Has she bought the
UPGRADE from Windows XP Home to Windows XP Professional edition? This could
account for the message "this software will install only if you are a
licensed user". What a mess. It is often a mistake to buy a computer for
which the operating system software is missing, unless it is quite cheap so
that buying new software is worth it.

 

[Nepatsfan]

(e-mail address removed),

My niece bought a computer from a handicapped program. She
is a single mother, going to school to be a nurse, and works
part-time only at Walmart, she pays everything herself. She
bought this computer as she needed one for school and had
only limited funds. When she got it home and turned it on,
after a short time she got a message about her version of
windows xp not being legal and she needed to contact
Microsoft. They told her she would have to get the origional
software from the origional owner in order to continue to
use windows XP on that computer. She contacted the handicap
program and the man she got it from, and they have only a
software that is used by them for making repairs and working
on computers given to them in order to sell them. They had
recieved the computer via another program where people
donate items to the handicap program, etc, to help handicap
people make some money. They had no clue who donated the
computer. So, therefore there is no way to contact the
person who origionally owned the computer. It was suggested
for her to go and buy the xp update and register it and that
should solve the problem. So, she went and scraped and saved
and bought the update which, for her, was not cheap. She
read me what the box said today and it says that this
software will install only if you are a licensed user. Now,
she hasn't a clue what to do and we can't find anyone to
help us. Why should she be punished for buying a computer
that already has the product on it. Is there not somehow she
can register it to herself? I mean, this is an important
part of her goal of getting out of the welfare ranks and
providing a decent living for her family. Thanks --
blkfoot

First off, I'd go back to the people at the handicapped program
and insist that they exchange the computer she got for one
that's properly licensed. If the people she's been dealing with
won't budge, it may be time to start moving this issue up the
chain of command. If this program receives any government
funding, contact the appropriate agency and report that they're
providing computers with pirated (illegal) software installed
on them. I'd use the same approach if it's run by a charitable
organization. Threaten to contact the local media if you really
want to make some noise.

If none of the above suggestions are an option, you've still
got alternatives. Look for a sticker on the side of the
computer case with a 25 digit alphanumeric code organized in 5
groups of 5. This is the license key you would need to install
Windows with a Full OEM installation CD. Check with the people
at the program to see if they have the right CD for that type
of key code.

If you're still stuck, here's another option. Get a hold of a
Windows 98 or 95 installation CD. Once again, check with the
handicapped program to see if they can help out with this.

If you get a hold of a Windows 95/98 CD, restart the XP
installation. During the early portion of the installation she
will be asked to provide what's called "qualifying media". At
that point, she should take the Windows XP installation CD out
of the drive and put in the Windows 98 CD. Once the Windows 98
CD is accepted as proof that she qualifies for the upgrade she
can put the XP CD back in and continue the installation.

Good luck

Nepatsfan

 

[Plato]

school and had only limited funds. When she got it home and turned it on,
after a short time she got a message about her version of windows xp not
being legal and she needed to contact Microsoft. They told her she would have

One always needs a legit copy on CD for the OS you want to use. Buy one.

 

[Mistoffolees]

One always needs a legit copy on CD for the OS you want to use. Buy one.

Let's not be too hasty here. This conclusion cannot be
reached without more information. And where is the original
thread?

 

[Phil Anthropist]

My niece bought a computer from a handicapped program. She is a single
mother, going to school to be a nurse, and works part-time only at
Walmart,
she pays everything herself. She bought this computer as she needed one
for
school and had only limited funds. When she got it home and turned it on,
after a short time she got a message about her version of windows xp not
being legal and she needed to contact Microsoft. They told her she would
have
to get the origional software from the origional owner in order to
continue
to use windows XP on that computer. She contacted the handicap program
and
the man she got it from, and they have only a software that is used by
them
for making repairs and working on computers given to them in order to sell
them. They had recieved the computer via another program where people
donate
items to the handicap program, etc, to help handicap people make some
money.
They had no clue who donated the computer. So, therefore there is no way
to
contact the person who origionally owned the computer. It was suggested
for
her to go and buy the xp update and register it and that should solve the
problem. So, she went and scraped and saved and bought the update which,
for
her, was not cheap. She read me what the box said today and it says that
this
software will install only if you are a licensed user. Now, she hasn't a
clue
what to do and we can't find anyone to help us. Why should she be punished
for buying a computer that already has the product on it. Is there not
somehow she can register it to herself? I mean, this is an important part
of
her goal of getting out of the welfare ranks and providing a decent living
for her family. Thanks

Doesn't anyone else think it strange that she purchased an update for
Windows XP? Unless it was made clear by the seller that this computer would
not work unless she bought Windows XP then I think a full refund is called
for so that she can buy a computer that is supplied with operating system
software.