xp not genuine

teenee60

i have just had a desktop repaired,not been switched on for a few years,fine after repair,then did some updates and it now says version of xp not genuine.
it clearly is,i have had it from new,but it now has a black background.
will i have to do a fresh install?

GunJack

make sure you have your COA handy and call microsoft's helpline - if it is genuine, they will sort you out without having to do a complete re-install. The black desktop is due to failing windows genuine advantage, as it blocks certain features.

aliEnRIK

Just because you bought it new doesnt mean its a legit XP

rdpro

You should be able to re-insert your windows key without the need to phone Microsoft. If the repair was a new motherboard, the XP activation is sometimes tied to the serial code entered in the setup, and the technician who fitted it didn't carry over the serial to the new board.

Vuze

Even when you buy a computer from new, the place you bought it from could have installed a non-genuine copy. Another possibility is that when you had your computer 'repaired', they wiped the hard drive and made a fresh operating system install with a new license key.

Hammyman

teenee60 wrote: »

i have just had a desktop repaired,not been switched on for a few years,fine after repair,then did some updates and it now says version of xp not genuine.
it clearly is,i have had it from new,but it now has a black background.
will i have to do a fresh install?

Do you have this sticker anywhere on the case? Your may say Windows XP Home OEM or similar...



If not, then you don't have a legitimate install as it has no licence sticker.