Genuine Windows

LukeSkywalker_2

Ello

I've got my PC running Windows XP Pro (upgrade from Win Me) - it was upgraded using an authentic pack that I bought with a friend which came with 5 licences (I paid 1/5 of the cost as I was installing it on one PC only)

However, I had to then remove and reinstall windows - I did this using the cd I'd burned a copy of but the serial number I lost so used one a friend gave me off his. However since that it has been telling me during startup that I am not running genuine windows so I'm thinking it's the new serial number I've got which is a fake one??

Is there a way to remedy this and how? I don't want to buy a new copy of Win XP firstly due to cost and secondly what's the point if the new one is coming out end of this year? :rolleyes:

Hope you can help me! I'd appreciate it :beer:

Luke

leesmithg

If you bothered to register your installation which is advisable, you can contact Microsoft and get them to sort the problem for you.

They are in Hounslow.

Their number is: 0870 6010100
Fax is: 08000324485
Email is: csd@msdirectservices.com

Or if you wish to write:

Microsoft Direct Services
Po Box 66
Hounslow
TW4 9RT

Lord_Chris

if your friend provided you with a license key you are breaking the law. You should have contacted microsoft with your details and they would have sorted it. Even with a multiple license pack you should have got a license label to stick on the side of your PC (shiny hologram touting microsoft)

otherwise buy XP home, you can get an OEm for around £85.. hardly an extravagance and it will save you lots of hassle.

<edited Forum Team 2>

pchelpman

Lord_Chris wrote:

otherwise buy XP home, you can get an OEm for around £85..

Excellent suggestion, Lord_Chris, but I think XP Home is cheaper. Possibly around the £50 mark.

Fifer

You can get XP Pro (OEM) from ebuyer for around £75.

LukeSkywalker_2

well then, why did it come with 5 licences in the first place? i'm not going to pay microsoft again i've paid once already :rolleyes:

culpepper

The 5 licences are to install to 5 PC's all owned by the same person or possibly 5 reinstallations on the same PC as you change the hardware. The licence number you originally got with it ,was genuine but the one you have from a friend may not be. Im assuming that what you did is share it between 5 of you? I suppose you might be able to contact microsoft if you have the proof of purchase and they might give you a new number.

slowen

LukeSkywalker wrote:

Ello

I've got my PC running Windows XP Pro (upgrade from Win Me) - it was upgraded using an authentic pack that I bought with a friend which came with 5 licences (I paid 1/5 of the cost as I was installing it on one PC only)

However, I had to then remove and reinstall windows - I did this using the cd I'd burned a copy of but the serial number I lost so used one a friend gave me off his. However since that it has been telling me during startup that I am not running genuine windows so I'm thinking it's the new serial number I've got which is a fake one??

Is there a way to remedy this and how? I don't want to buy a new copy of Win XP firstly due to cost and secondly what's the point if the new one is coming out end of this year? :rolleyes:

Hope you can help me! I'd appreciate it :beer:

Luke

Seen this on the floodle website and apparantly people are selling it on ebay in case your PC does not recognise your version of XP

Don't know if it works

http://www.floodle.net/extra/ebayinfo/windows_genuine_advantage.html

headcovers

Here's another option.

At work I am running a perfectly legal, licensed copy of Windows XP which was preinstalled on a new laptop purchased from Dell.

Just recently I went to the Microsoft Update site to get the latest security updates. I had a couple of problems during download due to a dodgy broadband connection, but finally sorted it and thought nothing of it.

The next day when I logged in I got a message on start up stating that I was using an illegal copy of windows.

I was very confused as clearly this was a mistake, and as the only thing I had done differently was try to download Windows updates I went back to the site and checked that I had all the downloads. It detected that I still had some updates to download and downloaded them and ever since then the message has gone.

This very same problem happened within a days of another work colleague downloading updates and was solved with same solution.

This was on updates issued by Windows in June.

Just another option to try:D

lee634

This is a well known MS problem which has occured in the recent updates,
Again i was one of those affeected but after more updates it disappead

There has been plenty of threads about it on this site
Just do a quick search for Genuine windows and you will have all your answers