Pirate XP

Hi, I don't know if anyone can help with suggestions for a pc amateur, but
afriend of mine recently 'upgraded' their operating system from Windows ME
(which apparently kept crashing). Unfortunately, they bought their upgrade
via an ad in the local press and ended up with what appears to have been a
copy of Windows XP. It works fine, but they cannot download service packs
from MSN as the MSN website has apparently identified the software as not
being genuine. I have suggested that they put this down to experience and
replace the operating system with genuine XP. The problem which I don't know
how to get over, is whether or not there is anyway of doing this without
losing things like programs, files and internet settings etc. It took them
ages to instal broadband on their pc and they do not want to go through the
trauma of it all again! Does anyone ouit there know a way round this? Any
suggestions gratefully accepted!
Thanks.
Steve

buy a real copy and reinstall xp, there are otherways which i know buts its
fraud and i could get banned form newsgroups, the only real answer anyway is
to reinstall xp, and must be something wrong with pc if it took SO LONG to
install broadband drivers, drivers take mins if not secs to install.

"justmuddlingalong" wrote:

> Hi, I don't know if anyone can help with suggestions for a pc amateur, but
> afriend of mine recently 'upgraded' their operating system from Windows ME
> (which apparently kept crashing). Unfortunately, they bought their upgrade
> via an ad in the local press and ended up with what appears to have been a
> copy of Windows XP. It works fine, but they cannot download service packs
> from MSN as the MSN website has apparently identified the software as not
> being genuine. I have suggested that they put this down to experience and
> replace the operating system with genuine XP. The problem which I don't know
> how to get over, is whether or not there is anyway of doing this without
> losing things like programs, files and internet settings etc. It took them
> ages to instal broadband on their pc and they do not want to go through the
> trauma of it all again! Does anyone ouit there know a way round this? Any
> suggestions gratefully accepted!
> Thanks.
> Steve
>

Follow the REPAIR install link on this website..

http://www.michaelstevenstech.com

My own thoughts on which version of the operating system should be used..

A full retail version in a blue or green authentic Microsoft sealed box is a
good investment because:



#1.. you do not require pre-qualifying software

#2.. it is transferable to another computer

#3.. Microsoft directly support retail boxed software



The retail UPGRADE requires a CD containing qualifying software.. an OEM
Windows 98 CD is in this category..



Look at this site for what you can and can't do with the UPGRADE version..



http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/p...ng/matrix.mspx



Buying cheap versions has pitfalls.. very often, they are OEM versions that
are NOT supported directly by Microsoft.. these versions are NOT
transferable to another machine.. these versions ONLY clean install.. ONLY
buy an OEM version if you are prepared to accept these limitations.. in the
worst cases, cheap XP deals are pirated copies, as you have found out to
your cost..



If you can, go for the full retail version.. it will give you full
transferability to any system for the entire time that you own it, and it is
not crippled by the 'qualification' issue..



Caveat Emptor.. applicable to any transaction between a seller and consumer,
regardless of product type..


--
Mike Hall
MVP - Windows Shell/User
http://dts-l.org/goodpost.htm





"J-Dee" <> wrote in message
news:E5D6AE1A-A4FA-4BF0-803F-...
> buy a real copy and reinstall xp, there are otherways which i know buts
> its
> fraud and i could get banned form newsgroups, the only real answer anyway
> is
> to reinstall xp, and must be something wrong with pc if it took SO LONG to
> install broadband drivers, drivers take mins if not secs to install.
>
> "justmuddlingalong" wrote:
>
>> Hi, I don't know if anyone can help with suggestions for a pc amateur,
>> but
>> afriend of mine recently 'upgraded' their operating system from Windows
>> ME
>> (which apparently kept crashing). Unfortunately, they bought their
>> upgrade
>> via an ad in the local press and ended up with what appears to have been
>> a
>> copy of Windows XP. It works fine, but they cannot download service packs
>> from MSN as the MSN website has apparently identified the software as not
>> being genuine. I have suggested that they put this down to experience and
>> replace the operating system with genuine XP. The problem which I don't
>> know
>> how to get over, is whether or not there is anyway of doing this without
>> losing things like programs, files and internet settings etc. It took
>> them
>> ages to instal broadband on their pc and they do not want to go through
>> the
>> trauma of it all again! Does anyone ouit there know a way round this?
>> Any
>> suggestions gratefully accepted!
>> Thanks.
>> Steve
>>