replacing pirated windows XP with legal version

[Bob]

Hi,
Now that I know a pirated version of windows XP is in the
used computer I bought from a friend, I have purchased a
legal version and want to install it. It has been
suggested that I might have to clear everything from my
hard drive and then install the legal version.
Can someone tell me a easier or better way to go?
Aloha, Bob

[AArDvarK]

This is the only way:

restart the computer and as soon as you here the beep,
tap the DEL > delete key that is below the Insert key.
Tap every 2 seconds or so and you will go into your
bios screen then find the boot device settings, in the
order they are in you can change them so the first boot
device is CDROM. In which when you start the computer
it will read CDROM first for the windows XP disc and
have setup options and installation from there.

Place the WinXP CDROM in the CDROM drive while
you are still in the bios then In the bios select to save
changes and exit. It will attempt to go to go the first
boot device, CDROM.

(option 2 if the above does not work)
make bios changes, select to save changes and exit. then
put your WinXP disc in the CD drive, shut off the computer
using the power button, and turn it on again.

during the begining of setup select to format the drive
in either FAT32 or NTFS. All info will be wiped out
from the hard drive and continue the new setup, it takes
about 40 minutes. You will have to enter you CD key#
during the process.

Alex


"Bob" > wrote in message
...
> Hi,
> Now that I know a pirated version of windows XP is in the
> used computer I bought from a friend, I have purchased a
> legal version and want to install it. It has been
> suggested that I might have to clear everything from my
> hard drive and then install the legal version.
> Can someone tell me a easier or better way to go?
> Aloha, Bob

[AArDvarK]

it would be a good idea to print what I wrote
A.

[Rick \Nutcase\ Rogers]

There is absolutely no reason to format that machine. This is totally
incorrect.

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers aka "Nutcase" MS-MVP - Win9x
http://mvp.support.microsoft.com/
Associate Expert - WinXP - Expert Zone
www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone
Win98 Help - www.rickrogers.org

"AArDvarK" > wrote in message
news:MbB7b.33428$S_.23799@fed1read01...
> This is the only way:
>
> restart the computer and as soon as you here the beep,
> tap the DEL > delete key that is below the Insert key.
> Tap every 2 seconds or so and you will go into your
> bios screen then find the boot device settings, in the
> order they are in you can change them so the first boot
> device is CDROM. In which when you start the computer
> it will read CDROM first for the windows XP disc and
> have setup options and installation from there.
>
> Place the WinXP CDROM in the CDROM drive while
> you are still in the bios then In the bios select to save
> changes and exit. It will attempt to go to go the first
> boot device, CDROM.
>
> (option 2 if the above does not work)
> make bios changes, select to save changes and exit. then
> put your WinXP disc in the CD drive, shut off the computer
> using the power button, and turn it on again.
>
> during the begining of setup select to format the drive
> in either FAT32 or NTFS. All info will be wiped out
> from the hard drive and continue the new setup, it takes
> about 40 minutes. You will have to enter you CD key#
> during the process.
>
> Alex
>
>
> "Bob" > wrote in message
> ...
> > Hi,
> > Now that I know a pirated version of windows XP is in the
> > used computer I bought from a friend, I have purchased a
> > legal version and want to install it. It has been
> > suggested that I might have to clear everything from my
> > hard drive and then install the legal version.
> > Can someone tell me a easier or better way to go?
> > Aloha, Bob
>
>

[Rick \Nutcase\ Rogers]

Hi Bob,

You need to do a repair install using the legitimate key. Follow these steps
to do a repair install which should preserve your data, settings, and
programs:

1. Insert the Windows XP CD into your computer's CD-ROM drive or DVD-ROM
drive.
2. Restart your computer. If you have to, change the BIOS settings to start
from
the CD-ROM drive or DVD-ROM drive, and then restart your computer again.
3. At the "Welcome to Setup" page, press ENTER.
4. Press F8 to accept the Licensing Agreement.
5. Use the arrow keys to select the installation of Windows XP that you want
to
repair, and then press R to start the automatic repair process.
6. When Setup is completed, activate Windows XP.

Note that you will need your Product Key for this procedure, so have it
handy before you begin.

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers aka "Nutcase" MS-MVP - Win9x
http://mvp.support.microsoft.com/
Associate Expert - WinXP - Expert Zone
www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone
Win98 Help - www.rickrogers.org

"Bob" > wrote in message
...
> Hi,
> Now that I know a pirated version of windows XP is in the
> used computer I bought from a friend, I have purchased a
> legal version and want to install it. It has been
> suggested that I might have to clear everything from my
> hard drive and then install the legal version.
> Can someone tell me a easier or better way to go?
> Aloha, Bob

[Tom Porterfield]

Bob wrote:

> Hi,
> Now that I know a pirated version of windows XP is in the
> used computer I bought from a friend, I have purchased a
> legal version and want to install it. It has been
> suggested that I might have to clear everything from my
> hard drive and then install the legal version.
> Can someone tell me a easier or better way to go?
> Aloha, Bob

A repair install may work, and you've nothing to lose but time for
trying. Insert the legit XP CD in the drive. When the autorun kicks
off the Welcome to Microsoft Windows XP, choose the first option to
install XP. The first step in the install process will ask you for the
type of setup, choose upgrade. And click next. Just follow the steps
after that, entering the legit product key when prompted.

Note that you should back up all important data before beginning.

--
Tom Porterfield
MS-MVP Windows XP & Smart Display
http://mywebpages.comcast.net/tp.porterfield/support

Please post all follows to the newsgroup only

[Harry Ohrn]

the pirated versions are generally Windows XP Pro so you will need a legit
version of XP Pro to either do a Repair Install that has been mentioned or
to simply change the key to your legit key as I will describe. Download this
little app http://www.webtree.ca/windowsxp/keyfinder.exe and run it. Go to
Option->Change Key and type in the legit key. Reboot.

However if you purchased XP Home then you will need to do a clean install
because you can't upgrade - Repair Install - or use an XP Home version
Product Key with XP Pro (which is what pirated versions of XP are)

--

Harry Ohrn - MS MVP [Shell/User]
www.webtree.ca/windowsxp


"Bob" > wrote in message
...
> Hi,
> Now that I know a pirated version of windows XP is in the
> used computer I bought from a friend, I have purchased a
> legal version and want to install it. It has been
> suggested that I might have to clear everything from my
> hard drive and then install the legal version.
> Can someone tell me a easier or better way to go?
> Aloha, Bob

[AArDvarK]

that's good, sounds like a far better point.
Alex

"Harry Ohrn" > wrote in message
...
> the pirated versions are generally Windows XP Pro so you will need a legit
> version of XP Pro to either do a Repair Install that has been mentioned or
> to simply change the key to your legit key as I will describe. Download
this
> little app http://www.webtree.ca/windowsxp/keyfinder.exe and run it. Go to
> Option->Change Key and type in the legit key. Reboot.
>
> However if you purchased XP Home then you will need to do a clean install
> because you can't upgrade - Repair Install - or use an XP Home version
> Product Key with XP Pro (which is what pirated versions of XP are)
>
> --
>
> Harry Ohrn - MS MVP [Shell/User]
> www.webtree.ca/windowsxp

[Bruce Chambers]

Greetings --

You need to purchase and use a legitimate full retail copy of
WinXP Pro to perform a repair (a.k.a. in-place upgrade) installation,
using the new CD and Product Key.

How to Perform an In-Place Upgrade of Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/directory/article.asp?ID=KB;EN-US;Q315341

Remember, you should also report whomever sold you the pirated
software to your local law enforcement agency.


Bruce Chambers

--
Help us help you:
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You can have peace. Or you can have freedom. Don't ever count on
having both at once. -- RAH


"Bob" > wrote in message
...
> Hi,
> Now that I know a pirated version of windows XP is in the
> used computer I bought from a friend, I have purchased a
> legal version and want to install it. It has been
> suggested that I might have to clear everything from my
> hard drive and then install the legal version.
> Can someone tell me a easier or better way to go?
> Aloha, Bob

[Bob B]

Hi Rick,
Thanks for the help. Will I be saving data and programs?
>-----Original Message-----
>Hi Bob,
>
>You need to do a repair install using the legitimate key.
Follow these steps
>to do a repair install which should preserve your data,
settings, and
>programs:
>
>1. Insert the Windows XP CD into your computer's CD-ROM
drive or DVD-ROM
>drive.
>2. Restart your computer. If you have to, change the BIOS
settings to start
>from
>the CD-ROM drive or DVD-ROM drive, and then restart your
computer again.
>3. At the "Welcome to Setup" page, press ENTER.
>4. Press F8 to accept the Licensing Agreement.
>5. Use the arrow keys to select the installation of
Windows XP that you want
>to
>repair, and then press R to start the automatic repair
process.
>6. When Setup is completed, activate Windows XP.
>
>Note that you will need your Product Key for this
procedure, so have it
>handy before you begin.
>
>--
>Best of Luck,
>
>Rick Rogers aka "Nutcase" MS-MVP - Win9x
>http://mvp.support.microsoft.com/
>Associate Expert - WinXP - Expert Zone
>www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone
>Win98 Help - www.rickrogers.org
>
>"Bob" > wrote in message
...
>> Hi,
>> Now that I know a pirated version of windows XP is in
the
>> used computer I bought from a friend, I have purchased a
>> legal version and want to install it. It has been
>> suggested that I might have to clear everything from my
>> hard drive and then install the legal version.
>> Can someone tell me a easier or better way to go?
>> Aloha, Bob
>
>
>.
>

[Rick \Nutcase\ Rogers]

Hi Bob,

Doing a repair install? Absolutely. However, there is always some inherent
risks in these types of operations however minimal, so whenever possible
backups should be done first.

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers aka "Nutcase" MS-MVP - Win9x
http://mvp.support.microsoft.com/
Associate Expert - WinXP - Expert Zone
www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone
Win98 Help - www.rickrogers.org

"Bob B" > wrote in message
...
> Hi Rick,
> Thanks for the help. Will I be saving data and programs?
> >-----Original Message-----
> >Hi Bob,
> >
> >You need to do a repair install using the legitimate key.
> Follow these steps
> >to do a repair install which should preserve your data,
> settings, and
> >programs:
> >
> >1. Insert the Windows XP CD into your computer's CD-ROM
> drive or DVD-ROM
> >drive.
> >2. Restart your computer. If you have to, change the BIOS
> settings to start
> >from
> >the CD-ROM drive or DVD-ROM drive, and then restart your
> computer again.
> >3. At the "Welcome to Setup" page, press ENTER.
> >4. Press F8 to accept the Licensing Agreement.
> >5. Use the arrow keys to select the installation of
> Windows XP that you want
> >to
> >repair, and then press R to start the automatic repair
> process.
> >6. When Setup is completed, activate Windows XP.
> >
> >Note that you will need your Product Key for this
> procedure, so have it
> >handy before you begin.
> >
> >--
> >Best of Luck,
> >
> >Rick Rogers aka "Nutcase" MS-MVP - Win9x
> >http://mvp.support.microsoft.com/
> >Associate Expert - WinXP - Expert Zone
> >www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone
> >Win98 Help - www.rickrogers.org
> >
> >"Bob" > wrote in message
> ...
> >> Hi,
> >> Now that I know a pirated version of windows XP is in
> the
> >> used computer I bought from a friend, I have purchased a
> >> legal version and want to install it. It has been
> >> suggested that I might have to clear everything from my
> >> hard drive and then install the legal version.
> >> Can someone tell me a easier or better way to go?
> >> Aloha, Bob
> >
> >
> >.
> >

[AArDvarK]

incorrect are YOU!! I was right anyway.
Alex

[Brian Tillman]

>incorrect are YOU!! I was right anyway.

Yoda! How did you get to this newsgroup?
--
Brian Tillman Internet: Brian.Tillman at smiths-aerospace dot com
Smiths Aerospace Addresses modified to prevent SPAM.
3290 Patterson Ave. SE, MS 1B3 Replace "at" with "@", "dot" with "."
Grand Rapids, MI 49512-1991
This opinion doesn't represent that of my company