after reformat, windows xp sp2 is now not liscensed!!!!

[bufalo]

I have a Packard Bell easynote H5 and it wouldn't boot so a tech guy I know reformatted it. He put in a bogus copy of windows (didn't know it till he gave me it back). My laptop didn't come with any discs. Now I can't download some updates and from what I understand, there is no way of getting my liscened version back again. From what I get PB expects me to buy windows again. Anyone know of a way to reinstall my liscenced version (again, no discs).

Thanks!

[edDV]

What format is your licensed version? Do you have a backup or something?

Usually, an OEM version needs reinstall from the manufacturers original "restore" CD set. Then you modify from there.

Otherwise, call Microsoft's XP Authentication geek on call and tell him your sad story. He may give you a new Key. http://www.microsoft.com/resources/documentation/windows/xp/all/proddocs/en-us/sag_ips....mspx?mfr=true

[kschang]

If he hadn't reformat'ed it there are programs that'll read off the existing CD KEY values, but now that it's done, sorry, can't help you...

[edDV]

One other thought. Some OEM PC manufacturers place a sticker with the XP CD Key on the computer, or keyboard or in with the documentation. If you can find that, the Microsoft guy will probably reauthenticate.

One other issue, the install CD must be an OEM XP version, not a consumer retail version.

[deckard8]

I wouldn't bother trying to get back to licenced version, unless you are willing to reinstall from scratch with a legit copy. You dont need to use Microsoft update anyway to get the latest updates >

http://www.ryanvm.net/msfn/updatepack.html

[bufalo]

I have no cd at all, it didn't come with one. I tried microsoft, but they said to contact packard bell, who happens to be in another country. I do have the sticker on the back, but it says NEC. It has the hone edition product key on it.

I also just realized that I had the WinXP home edition liscense before the crash. The guy who did the format installed Win XP professional edition.

[bufalo]

thanks for the update site! someone told me today that if I keep the bogus windows, that to disable the automatic updates because microsoft has a way of telling and will mess up windows!

[adam]

Just contact Packard Bell and tell them you need a recovery disc. The one's I've used in the past have all the original software contained on them including the OS.

If you don't want to make a long distance call then just email them. pbsupportfi@packardbell.com

[bufalo]

Thanks, I'll give it a shot.

[normcar]

It depends on the version of Windows XP he installed.

At work, we have open version of windows 2000. I don't know how it works, but we pay for a certain # of installations, and install all of them off the same version/key of the install disk which was used to create a single image of the desk top. We also have some imaged copies of the XP lap top as well. They all use the same version and key for windows, but I'm not sure how it works for XP. For Windows 2000, you don't even enter a key.
I can even get updates from home on the work laptop without problems.

I know that we are doing it correctly, because our management has the IT department ensure that if industry inspectors come in to do a poll of software on the entire PC network, that we have legit lic. for each software installed on each desktop and each laptop.

[fLYtRap]

I wouldn't bother trying to get back to licenced version, unless you are willing to reinstall from scratch with a legit copy. You dont need to use Microsoft update anyway to get the latest updates >

http://www.ryanvm.net/msfn/updatepack.html

IS THIS LEGAL?

Microsoft is doing everything it can to rduce copying of windows. Now many updates including such as WPM and NETFramework can be only installed on a licensed version of windows.
This site kinda looks like

http://www.astalavista.com/ (BE CAREFULL WHILE BROWSING THIS SITE, I GOT SEVERAL VIRUSES JUST BY CLICKING ON SOME LINKS THERE)

which is favorite hackers site.

Anyways if you want to get originall version of windows on your computer and you don't have restoration discs, like people mentioned before you need to find windows product key somwhere on your machine (if this is a laptop you will find it on the bottom case, if desktop on the back panel)
But this will cost you lots of hedache. Try to find licensed version of 98 or ME and upgrade from there to XP.

[Nelson37]

You have a legal license for, and own, XP Home. If your license number says "OEM" in it, then you need an OEM disk. Any XP home install disk of the correct type (OEM or not, depending on code,same Service Pack) can be legally used to install with the entry of your license number on the sticker.

Your tech has committed a Federal Offense, and so have you. Not certain if you could install Home over Pro without issues, you should reformat, though that would get you legal again. Tech might have assumed you actually owned PRO, though it is hard to miss it when the sticker is actually on the PC.

Microsoft does not care about your problem. They gave Packard Bell a discount on many copies of XP specifically in exchange for Packard Bell handling such issues. Typically, PB will send you an installation set for a handling charge.

[bufalo]

I found the product key and emailed PB to see what they say. I don't have OEM on the sticker, rather NEC. I just reread what Nelson said in the first paragraph. So I guess I can just uninstall everything, then reinstall the old XP home (finding someone with a legit disc in Colombia should be fun), then put in my code and it should be ok.

Second federal offense for me..... I loved making the first one, Cuba is awesome.

[TBoneit]

Yup, need to find a OEM Home, as only that disc will work with the product key from your computer.

Pretty much any original XP Home disc that says "For Distribution With a New Computer Only" should work.

Since the sticker says NEC it is an OEM product key.

The OEM Home you find should actually be legit as the piracy seems to be confined to XP Pro Corporate Edition Keys as they don't need activation.

If this person was a "Tech Guy" then a OEM Home disc would have been onhand for when needed and said person would know that installing a XP Pro with a pirated key would cause these problems.

I hate to say just how many computers I've seen recently with XP Home stickers on them and a Pirated XP Pro installed. What I keep hearing is a friend upgraded it on me.

One customer had a Laptop that was legal for windows 2000 and it was sold to her with the pirated XP Pro installed and the seller told her it was legal XP. People don't know in the general population but any tech types should know better than to put the XP Pro Corporate edition on.

BTW Any version of the OEM Home will work with your key. Original release, SP1, SP1A, or SP2 disc. SP2 is preferrable since it makes the security updates less of a pain, and pre SP1 won't update now.

And of course why did they put XP Pro on? Because it must be better than XP Home of course, Then you find out all they do is Internet, and WP. Strewth!

[bufalo]

TBoneit,
Thanks! this and what others said has cleared up a lot for me. I'll search for the windows home disc and reformat.....yet again! When I'm finally out of this I'mgoing to do a thread on several boards saying what happened to me and how to fix it, for the next guy/gal.

[drjtech]

Your tech has committed a Federal Offense, and so have you.

Is that true in Colombia? Or might it be an "Ofensa Federal"?

-drjtech