Re-loading windows xp

[erniemorton]

Can anybody explain to a dope like me how to reload my pc with windows xp again. For the last month its been coming up with messages like "your system is at fault, you may have a dodgy copy".... my words not microsoft ! Then it tells me how I can buy a new copy... Strange that I had been using it without any problem for almost a year before this...!
Do i need to de-install everything first....? or will it re-install itself if I just put the disc in and press INSTALL (after saving my files of course).
Thanks E

[Ethel]

Is it a genuine copy? Have you validated it?

[vehelpfulguy]

In the past Microsoft have been fairly lax about people using pirated copies of Windows or Office.

There was little they could do about people sharing validation codes on the internet so you could install a pirated copy of Windows or Office.

Then a few months ago they created a program called Genuine Windows Advantage which was downloaded as part of their regular downloads.

It now checks your validation code, and if it is one that has been used by many people they assume it is a pirated copy of Windows and give you this warning.

Eventually if you do nothing Windows will stop working.

I am not saying you DO have a pirated copy, but Microsoft seems to think you have.

Read more here:

http://www.microsoft.com/genuine/default.mspx? displaylang=en

http://www.microsoft.com/genuine/downloads/Why Validate.aspx?displaylang=en

[vehelpfulguy]

Note that if you DO reinstall Windows XP but DONT download any of the Microsoft updates then you will probably stop getting these warnings.

BUT you will also not be able to download ANY Windows security fixes, or Internet Explorer 7, or and new versions of Media Player and other windows programs.

This will make you much more likely to get a virus or other security problem as hackers write viruses to exploit known holes in Windows XP.

As soon as a security hole is identified they try to write code to exploit it.

If your Windows XP is pirated you can buy a legel copy of Windows XP Home for about �60 on Amazon.

[erniemorton]

Thanks all.
I seem to recall that the software was 'borrowed' from a family friend the pedigree of which I cant verify now (the software not the friend)! The messages timeframe seems to fit in with your answer veryhelpfulguy and this appears most likely.
I guess I'll 'bite the bullet' and buy the XP home version (my current version is XP pro) but I dont need most of the stuff on that anyway.
Appreciate your responses so quickly.
Kind regards and an extremely delirious Xmas & New Year to you all. E

[vehelpfulguy]

Note that Windows XP is being replaced by Windows Vista in January, although it will need a more powerful machine than XP.

Also note if you ARE going to put XP Home on a machine with XP Pro on it you have to do a full disk format and install, you cannot install Home over Pro.

Also, if you do a format you will lose EVERYTHING on the disk, so start backing up now ready for the re-install.

Finally, there are a number of sites that give step by step guides to installing Windows XP if you search for them.

It is not difficult, it is the disk partitions and formatting that seems to confuse most people.

[erniemorton]

Thanks vhg. I've just been doing some background reading on this and decided to go really mad and get the XP Pro FULL system version which although more expensive, can be used 'straight from the box' without having to back up the system. However, i will back up my key files just in case!
Many thanks again for that v useful info.
E

[vehelpfulguy]

To be honest using XP Pro gains you almost nothing over the XP Home version if using it at home. XP Pro is really for businesses.

Whichever you do go for, buy the OEM version, which is for people who are building their own PC.

You can buy it for �100 or less, see my Amazon link below.

Dont buy the retail (boxed) version which can cost �200 or more, you gain little extra for paying out all that money.

Note this below has a Vista upgrade coupon which is nice.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Microsoft-Windows-Prof essional-Service-OEM/dp/B000JTDV6M/sr=1-3/qid= 1166477847/ref=sr_1_3/026-6012301-4962823?ie=U TF8&s=software

You could even buy the Student version for �75 (but I am not sure how strict they are)

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Windows-Professional-U pgrade-Student-SP2/dp/B00061I94C/ref=pd_sbs_sw _h__4/026-6012301-4962823

Note it is an upgrade so you will need a previous version of Windows (just the CD will do) to prove your are upgrading.