XP Produck Key Issue

elektra

Blackjack_Davy wrote: »

Keep an eye on eBay you can pick up genuine XP COA's for a about a tenner. They're usually pulled off the back of old DELL PC's etc and 99% of the time they're fine.

How do you know which are genuine on Ebay ? Just judge by the previous feedback ? Considering it is soon to be unsupported there are quite a few selling on ebay.

I don't want to buy windows 7 as the PC is now several years old so wouldn't be surprised if PC packed up soon.

However I have the WGA message coming up ( PC naively bought off ebay) and it is currently on SP2. I want to update it to SP3 but nervous that trying it would completely stuff PC up (I do have a full backup though).


I'm not even sure which version I'm running. On startup the wga message comes up and says Windows XP PRO but if I go into control panel/system it says Windows Media Center Edition 2002 and Ccleaner says XP/PRO?

TwistedPsycho

If you bought a full retail Windows 7, when your computer dies you simply buy one without an OS and install your still valid Windows 7......

elektra

TwistedPsycho wrote: »

If you bought a full retail Windows 7, when your computer dies you simply buy one without an OS and install your still valid Windows 7......

Thanks, just working on the assumption most new PC's come with OS already installed and also that this PC may not be powerful enough for Windows 7 ( does it use more or less than XP) and that I don't have install disc for other software on PC.

Mr_Oink

elektra wrote: »

How do you know which are genuine on Ebay ?

Normally eBay & Microsoft remove listings of COA keys/stickers under the Vero scheme. Some may last a few days, some of the more creatively worded may go all the way to the end.

Watch out for multiple quantity listings (more than one available). eBay have this irritating knack of ending such listings and emailing buyers with words to the effect of 'we've pulled the auction, you don't have to complete if you don't want to' - by which time you have usually paid for the item. At this point the seller has nothing to lose if he does not ship you the key as you can't leave feedback for cancelled listings.

As for Paypal and a refund; if the seller wants to be a slimeball and just sends you an empty envelope by 'signed for' mail, he can, in effect, prove 'delivery' and you won't get a bean back. The moral, be careful buying used keys. There are some brilliant sellers out there, but unfortunately that old tat market that is fleabay is full of scammers too.

Don't be afraid to try one of the easy Linux distros like Ubuntu. You may just get a shock at how easy it is to use, and how much faster the machine starts and runs

elektra

Mr_Oink wrote: »

Don't be afraid to try one of the easy Linux distros like Ubuntu. You may just get a shock at how easy it is to use, and how much faster the machine starts and runs

Yes, I might consider that in future, have heard good reports.

Thanks for the extra warnings about ebay.

patman99

If you want a Linux that looks familiar to Windows users then you would need something like Kbuntu, PCLinuxOS (do not go for the 'Full Monty' version) or Suse.

All Linux distros will allow you to surf the web, read email, create office documents, do your home finances and listen to your music. In fact, unless you use a specific Windows program that will not run in 'Wine' (basically a Windows emulator), then it solves the issue of legitamising a dodgy PC for free.

dug123

Mr_Oink wrote: »

Normally eBay & Microsoft remove listings of COA keys/stickers under the Vero scheme. Some may last a few days, some of the more creatively worded may go all the way to the end.

Watch out for multiple quantity listings (more than one available). eBay have this irritating knack of ending such listings and emailing buyers with words to the effect of 'we've pulled the auction, you don't have to complete if you don't want to' - by which time you have usually paid for the item. At this point the seller has nothing to lose if he does not ship you the key as you can't leave feedback for cancelled listings.

Buy one from a German seller on ebay, they took Microsoft to court in Germany and they are allowed to sell COA keys/stickers and ebay never ever pull a german seller under the VERO scheme.
If you want to sell one do not put it on ebay as it may be pulled, just contact a German selling the keys on ebay and sell direct to them (because they can resell)

Hammyman

eprophet wrote: »

Do you know how can I tell if there really is WGA cracking software on there?

TBH, I wouldn't know as its not something I've ever done. AFAIK, it probably modifies the two files that Windows checks for activation and maybe a few system library files.

eprophet

Thank you all for your help and advise.
I am debating wheather to contacting Microsoft is the best thing to do, as I wouldn't want to leave mum without a computer. It is not permanently online anyway as we only have the one modem so have to keep moving rooms or computer share at the moment.

One thing I have come across whilst search google is:
One reason that WGA could fail is if the current product key does not match the product key used on the original install.
If this is the case then I don't see how any keys can be legitimatly updated (although they obviously are), as Microsoft say that can be.
I guess they must update several areas of the registry in order to syncronise data.

Any thoughts would be appreciated.

Thank you.

DatabaseError

you can try contacting microsoft, but as it appears you have a copied disk, and no COA I can't imagine them being too helpful, but you never know.

Best bet is buy a legitimate copy of windows or try a free linux distro. Out of curiosity, exactly which version of windows have you installed (home basic, professional etc..)