How to I replace a non genuine windows with genuine?

mrsgee


Joined: 23/06/2009
Posts: 396

Message Posted:
18/02/2011 07:34

I recently had problems with my PC and took it to H & N which now appears to have shut. To cut a long story short, they told me that there was a problem with my XP and without asking first, installed a pirate copy. I have been plagued with problems since which I can only put down to this. What I want to do is to install a genuine version. Can anyone tell me how I can do this? At the moment my PC keeps showing the blue screen with messages about windows having to shut down. The only thing I can do is switch off, but I cannot perform any tasks, so can't see how I can download a genuine version. Help!!!!

yenibob


Joined: 13/10/2010
Posts: 1203

Message Posted:
18/02/2011 08:02

I am no expert, but..... If you still have the original recovery disc that should have come with the PC, use that. You will lose everything that is not saved, but you should end up with a machine that works.

Jovial_John


Joined: 31/01/2009
Posts: 1024

Message Posted:
18/02/2011 08:31

Take it to Com-Aks together with the original windows disk. They will sort it for you.

Jimbo51


Joined: 24/09/2010
Posts: 79

Message Posted:
18/02/2011 09:21

Mrs Gee

I think I can sort this out for you.If you care to ring me on 05338215667 then we can find out exactly what the problem is and if I have the necessary software to cure and I don't charge anything like the computer shops!!

mrsgee


Joined: 23/06/2009
Posts: 396

Message Posted:
18/02/2011 11:41

Jimbo, message 4. Could I email you instead as I am deaf so cannot phone? I don't have the original Windows xp disk but I do have some recovery disks (don't know if these will do) - sorry, I am not good on the techie side, hence I am looking for some reliable, and honest, expertise. I don't mind if I have to pay for the genuine article...I would rather do that than keep having problems. If you will let me have your email address then I will be able to explain in more detail what the problem is. Many thanks.

wanderer


Joined: 05/02/2009
Posts: 1653

Message Posted:
18/02/2011 11:48

http://www.cyprus44.com/forums/54673.asp

This may help a previous thread

Non legal windows if you once set it to receive updates Windows then check and bombard your illegal machine

hawkeye


Joined: 12/09/2010
Posts: 334

Message Posted:
18/02/2011 12:37

Sorry but this happened to us a few years ago..............a brand new computer with an original disc!!!! and we paid heavily for a"genuine" one............No Microsoft caught up with us, we clicked their link and paid £75 to get us legal......... We purchased with the Comaks. They will sort is I do not believe they will. They will fix it yes probably but I doubt it with an genuine one. At the time they had a sign claiming that they were registered with Microsoft and trained engineers with microsoft......

Deniz1


Joined: 28/07/2009
Posts: 3829

Message Posted:
18/02/2011 13:12

I bought my computer at Comax and they installed a pirate disk without my knowledge. Cant afford a genuine one so i put up with it. When i asked them about it i got the cypriot shrug.

Jimbo51


Joined: 24/09/2010
Posts: 79

Message Posted:
18/02/2011 13:18

mrs gee.my email address is jameswould@hotmail.co.uk please feel free to communicate by e mail and during our chats i can tell you what options for a cure are. JIM

erolz


Joined: 17/11/2008
Posts: 3456

Message Posted:
18/02/2011 15:08

Many people here talk about PC repair and servicing and then claim Microsoft certification in such.



The fact is that Microsoft is a SOFTWARE comapny. They have a range of different certification programs related to the software programms they sell and the adminstration of windows based systems in office environments.



What they do NOT offer and never had offered is certification in the diagnosis, and repair of PC hardware problems.



You often see adverts here in TRNC (and elsewhere) that say something along the lines of "PC Repairs - Microsoft Certifed"



Such claims means nothing in reality. Unless it say Microsoft Certified in WHAT, then its a meaningless claim and it is definately NOT certifed in 'PC Repairs' as no such MS certification exists or ever has done.



Personaly I would explicitly AVOID anyone who offered PC reapir as a 'Microsoft Certifed engineer' as they are clearly seeking to deceive on some level in my view.

erolz


Joined: 17/11/2008
Posts: 3456

Message Posted:
18/02/2011 15:10

For a list of the ARES you CAN get MS certification in see here



http://www.microsoft.com/learning/en/us/certification/view-by-technology.aspx



What is glaringly NOT on that list is 'PC repair'. If someone claims to be MS certifed in PC repair they are lying.

Rosie64


Joined: 13/11/2010
Posts: 72

Message Posted:
18/02/2011 16:57

So when did it become a problem if a business lied ? Remember its North Cyprus,

My advice is buy an original copy of the software, format your hard disk and start again.

mrsgee


Joined: 23/06/2009
Posts: 396

Message Posted:
18/02/2011 17:27

Rosie, thanks that is exactly what my question was about and what I want to do, but no-one has yet told me how to go about it, as my system keeps shutting down the pirate windows. Unfortunately, I am not that computer literate, and am loathe to do something that may make matters worse.



Jimbo, many thanks, I shall be in touch.

erolz


Joined: 17/11/2008
Posts: 3456

Message Posted:
18/02/2011 17:53

It may well be that your PC had , before H and N got at it, a valid registered version of Windows, in which case buying a new copy would be a waste of money.



Does the PC have a 'windows sticker' on it somewhere with a little silver hologram and a serial number ?



If it does and the recovery disks (cds ?) you have are original to the PC then its likely they contain an 'image' of the hard drive as it was when it was sold, complete with valid licsensed version of windows.



If these are indeed proper original recovery disk that came with that PC, then resotring the machine is pretty easy, but you have to appreciate that doing so will loose all of your data on the machine (emails, documents, photos etc etc) and any programs you have installed on it since getting it will need reinstalling as well.



If you want email me directly at erolz@cream.org. I am in the girne area and will have a look at it for you no charge. If the recovery disks are correct and you dont care about

erolz


Joined: 17/11/2008
Posts: 3456

Message Posted:
18/02/2011 17:54

any existing data or programms on the machine as it is now, I can show you how to recover it from those disks for no charge.

mrsgee


Joined: 23/06/2009
Posts: 396

Message Posted:
18/02/2011 18:25

Hi Erolz - it did indeed have a valid copy of Windows XP. i have searched all over the computer though and cannot find the serial number, although I do have the original booklet saying that it should be on the computer....I can't find it. I will be in touch. Many thanks for the responses.

Rosie64


Joined: 13/11/2010
Posts: 72

Message Posted:
18/02/2011 18:33

erolz Do you think MICROSOFT will allow you to use a recovery disk once a pirate copy of XP has been used on the system? no dont think so.

The pc needs to have all the data deleted from the hard disk and a new copy installed. This is the problem when you use pirate software ...no use asking Microsoft for a fix when it goes wrong.

erolz


Joined: 17/11/2008
Posts: 3456

Message Posted:
18/02/2011 18:40

Actualy Rosie MS in my experience are very helpful to people who have been sold illegitmate versions of windows.



In any case most recovery disks that come with PC's are simply disk images of that machines hard drive as it is when it leaves the factory. If it was a legitimate copy when it left the factory then recovering to those disk will indeed restore it to a legimate status in the eyes of microsoft. MS will have a record of what hardware that specific licsense was granted too. When you restore the machine from recovery disk it should match and the records at MS (provided it hasnt has large hardware changes since it was bought) and match as legitimate.

Rosie64


Joined: 13/11/2010
Posts: 72

Message Posted:
19/02/2011 00:09

How many PC's have you recovered in this way ?..satisfactory

erolz


Joined: 17/11/2008
Posts: 3456

Message Posted:
19/02/2011 00:33

Should I ask how many times you Rosie have reset a machine to factory settings using the recovery disk that came with it only to have MS tell you that the liscensed valid version of windows as on those recovery disks is now no longer recognised as valid by them because inbetween you had an illageal copy installed on it ?



All I am trying to do is help the poster here and people in general with my comments. If you want to believe that I do not know what I am talking about, because it damages your ego to accept you were wrong in the information you gave that is your problem not mine.



If the recovery disks are for a valid windows OEM install, with a serial sticker on the PC then MS will accept a recovery to that state as a valid legitimate windows install. They will accept it as such because it will BE such. Telling someone to just buy a new copy of windows without establishing if in fact the machine came with a valid copy and has means to return to such is bad advice.

Rosie64


Joined: 13/11/2010
Posts: 72

Message Posted:
19/02/2011 00:58

I asked you how many pcs you've restored with your method ?

erolz


Joined: 17/11/2008
Posts: 3456

Message Posted:
19/02/2011 01:16

How many times have I used recovery disks to restore a PC to its factory settings ?



How many times have I done so after it has had an illegal copy of windows installed on it ?



Like I say I dont have to justify my 'experience' to you, that is not why I am here.



The fact is just telling someone in the poster position to buy a new copy of windows without first establishing if the machine was originaly sold with a valid legitimate copy and if the poster has the means to recover to that state is just bad and lazy advice and that is true no matter how many times I may or may not have recovered machines using recovery disks and in what senarios I may have done so.



Your advice was not good. I have said so. Sorry if that upsets you.

Rosie64


Joined: 13/11/2010
Posts: 72

Message Posted:
19/02/2011 01:47

I simply asked you to justify your claim and "knowledge" that you could fix the problem.



H & N were paid to fix and did'nt,



You offered to fix it for FREE. I asked you how many times you have fixed this problem. Your answer so far is still ZERO.



No need to justify this to me, justify it to the poster !

erolz


Joined: 17/11/2008
Posts: 3456

Message Posted:
19/02/2011 02:25

I have not offered to fix the problem



I offered to help the person identify if they have the necessary disks to recover to a legitimate windows state and if they do to show them how to use such disks to do that.



I have been helping people with computers and computer problems in one form or another for the last 30 years or so.



For the record I have used recovery disks that come with PC's to restore machines to their factory states quite a few times and I have also spoken to MS direct on more than one occasion over the years to see if they can help someone who has had a pirated copy of windows installed over a legitimate one but this is NOT the point .The point is in this posters position the first thing to establish is - did the machine ever have a valid windows install on it and if it did does the owner now have the means to recover the machine to that state or not.

erolz


Joined: 17/11/2008
Posts: 3456

Message Posted:
19/02/2011 02:53

mrsgee I have to appologise , i missed your post 16 all togeather



The sticker will look similar to those shown here. It should be on the machine itself or possible on some piece of 'documentation' that came with the machine (like a cd cover)



http://www.microsoft.com/howtotell/content.aspx?displaylang=en&pg=coa



Without the sticker it may not be possible to recover to the legitimate copy of windows I am afraid. If you can or not will depend on how the machine was set up comming out of the factory and thus what state the recovery disks will return it too. Most likely it required you to enter the sticker number when you first register the machine when new and if this is so then you will need the number again after a recovery. There is a much smaller chance that it was already entered when it shipped from the factory and all you had do was go online and register it when new, not enter the number your self and register.

Rosie64


Joined: 13/11/2010
Posts: 72

Message Posted:
19/02/2011 02:56

So you now tell us you have never fixed any problems like this before, that's all we wanted to know.

I suggest you actually read what the poster said.

NO XP DISK OR RECOVERY DISK .......SOLUTION buy a new copy of XP and start again, good advice.

erolz


Joined: 17/11/2008
Posts: 3456

Message Posted:
19/02/2011 03:12

Rosie you seem to see what you want to see regardless of what is actually there. No where have I said I never fixed problems like this before. Also the poster explicitly said they DO have recovery disks in message 5.



Actually the most important thing is not the install disks or recovery disks in the first instance, valid alternatives for these can often be found. What matters is the product key on the sticker in the first instance.



Even if it turns out that the machine can not be returned to a state where it is recognised by MS as having its oringal XP licsense on it, then buying a new copy of XP is not a great suggestion anyway, given that microsoft no longer sell XP. You can find 'old stock' at ridiculous prices online but it is no longer sold by Microsoft themselves. Depending on the machine and its age if a new OS needs to be bought it may well be that buying a copy of windows 7 is the best option, but that depends on various factors.

erolz


Joined: 17/11/2008
Posts: 3456

Message Posted:
19/02/2011 03:19

On a totaly sperate topic a general rule of thumb for me with online fora like this one is to always be very very cautious of people who make claims in the name of 'we' like your



thats all 'we' wanted to know



who exactly is this 'we' that you seem to think you speak for ? Did all of them see a post that stated explicilty that there were recovery disks and then concur with your (singular) post saying there are no recovery disks ? Or was that bit of rubbish just down to you as an indivdual alone ? Did all of this mysterious 'we' also think I had said I had never fixed this type of problem before when I actually said no such thing at all ?

Washerman


Joined: 19/09/2008
Posts: 2301

Message Posted:
19/02/2011 09:26

I can install and validate Windows XP for you - 150TL

meetumair



Joined: 26/01/2011
Posts: 251

Message Posted:
19/02/2011 12:05

check this post. Original windows in 35TL with full service and full backup.



http://www.cyprus44.com/forums/54901.asp

Sid447


Joined: 15/05/2009
Posts: 141

Message Posted:
19/02/2011 12:14

mrsgee,



From your second post " ...I don't have the original Windows xp disk but I do have some recovery disks (don't know if these will do)."



Run the one that says 'product recovery' or words to that effect; you have nothing to lose and it may well sort out the problem.

If it doesn't work, then you can consider taking it somewhere for someone to look at.

Rosie64


Joined: 13/11/2010
Posts: 72

Message Posted:
19/02/2011 13:22

Erolzz You just dont get it. Someone asked for advice and you offered some info off the back of a techy manual. The poster has tried the cheap routes to fix the pc and you were suggesting the free route, with no evidence you could solve the problem.



I asked you how many problems like this have you fixed, and your answer is still ZERO.





The poster wanted an honest and reliable solution to the problem.

erolz


Joined: 17/11/2008
Posts: 3456

Message Posted:
19/02/2011 13:38

If the poster has the original product key and recovery disk that is simply the best way to get a valid genuine copy of XP back on their machine. There can be absolutely no doubt about that. I am suggesting the best route if they have the necessary prerequisits.



That you can argue that it is not 'right' to establish if this route to a solution is possible as the first step just shows that you do not know what you are taking about. As does the assertion that MS would never 'allow' you to use the PC manufacturers recovery disks on a machine with a pirate copy of windows on it.

Rosie64


Joined: 13/11/2010
Posts: 72

Message Posted:
19/02/2011 13:55

She has no working copies of XP or recovery disks, already stated, so why try and pretend you are an expert, an expert without a solution, will ask again given the info above, what is your solution to the problem ?



My solution was to start with complete new software, why , because all the disks she has are no good, simple.

Your first post (post 10) sounded good, only trust someone who know's what they talking about ! Was that your solution ?

erolz


Joined: 17/11/2008
Posts: 3456

Message Posted:
19/02/2011 14:03

The original poster said in message 5



"I don't have the original Windows xp disk but I do have some recovery disks"



The most likely thing these disk are if they came with the PC is an image of the hard drive as it was when it came out of the factory. As such in combination with the product code on the sticker they would be the best means of returning the machine to its previous genuine state as well as by far the easiest and cheapest solution.



So how do you know "all the disks she has are no good"? Or that "she has no recovery disks" when they have said explicitly that they DO have recovery disks ?



The first step is to establish if the machine can be recovered with these disks. The first step is NOT to tell the person to go and buy a new copy of something MS no longer sell.

YFred


Joined: 06/05/2009
Posts: 1471

Message Posted:
19/02/2011 14:17

I cannot understand why people bother with pirate copies when you can register with Microsoft and get 10 original copies of windows and office for 200 pounds per year. Yes 200 pounds which makes each one 20 pounds per year. It even includes one window server.

What's the problem with 10 of you clubbing together?

hawkeye


Joined: 12/09/2010
Posts: 334

Message Posted:
19/02/2011 14:19

NOw washerman I would trust................great guy brilliant family, and no he has nont asked me to say. We live at opposite ends of Kyrenia, and he only did some things for us as and when we needed him.

mrsgee


Joined: 23/06/2009
Posts: 396

Message Posted:
19/02/2011 16:29

Hi Washerman....is it a genuine version of Windows XP? If so I would definitely be interested. We have met in the past through David and Pauline at Selin Villas and live just up the road from you.

Washerman


Joined: 19/09/2008
Posts: 2301

Message Posted:
19/02/2011 18:21

Yes, old important files backed up, HDD formatted, a genuine version of Windows installed and updated and all the relevant drivers installed.



Plus other programs installed: Skype, AVG, Picassa, Adobe Reader, Adobe Flash, Ccleaner etc.



Email account backed up and all old emails saved.



All in English

erolz


Joined: 17/11/2008
Posts: 3456

Message Posted:
19/02/2011 18:54

couple of links below that can help you establish if you are buying a genuine and unused MS copy of windows xp or not. you should also worry if the packaging on software has been opened. On a retail copy of MS operating systems the COA sticker typically crosses an opening point on the box. That is to open the box you must tear the sticker in half. A genuine copy of windows that has already been used and registered to another machine is genuine but not valid if you see what I mean.



http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows/genuine/what-to-look-for



http://www.microsoft.com/howtotell/product.aspx?pID=a9d2c448-eb05-4a2b-a062-9c711c533e0c&cID=ea710cad-37b0-4975-bcd6-abfee19961df&method=retail&displaylang=en-gb

mrsgee


Joined: 23/06/2009
Posts: 396

Message Posted:
19/02/2011 20:36

Washerman, I will email you off board....thanks

mrsgee


Joined: 23/06/2009
Posts: 396

Message Posted:
20/02/2011 09:27

Washerman - have emailed you.

jlb777


Joined: 09/07/2009
Posts: 49

Message Posted:
20/02/2011 21:44

Have a look at Windows Security Essentials - Microsofts completely free integrated av and spyware protection. I have stopped using Avast and AVG.

Navek



Joined: 01/06/2008
Posts: 2656

Message Posted:
22/02/2011 03:30

Here's something that might help, if you have problems with Windows 7...

http://www.aboutonlinetips.com/removewat-windows-7-validation-crack/

Navek

erolz


Joined: 17/11/2008
Posts: 3456

Message Posted:
22/02/2011 04:33

Navek the problem with 'solutions' like the one you link to above, all morality aside, is twofold. Firstly you do not know what else this programm might do as well as removing windows 7 activation. It may do nothing else but it may also do all sort of nasty stuff to your machine that would not be easily noticable by a normal users - like standard viruses do. The second problem is that even if this program works when it was made and doesnt do anything nasty to your machine, MS will if they can find ways of detecting which machines have had this program run on them, when you use windows update for example, and then flag such machines as not having a valid copy of windows. It is like an arms race. A 'hack' like this may work for a period of time and then stop working effectively as MS respond.



So use such things in the knowledge that it is a form of theft and understanding the possible downsides of such 'solutions'.

Washerman


Joined: 19/09/2008
Posts: 2301

Message Posted:
22/02/2011 05:55

Navek.......as they say, "a little knowledge is dangerous" and recommending such sites is very dangerous.



Erolz is absolutely right in what he says. Windows 7 cracks only last 90 days maximum. Microsoft undo and fix craks when their software 'phones-home' (every 90 days)



Internet criminals have identified "Windows cracks" as a highly searched phrase in Google and they create web sites or, plant their Malware on web sites that rank highly for that search phrase.



Recently, even Google search results were compromised when their Adsense program was used to infect people's computers with Malware.



Google is a useful tool for finding things, but the criminals know that too, and they use it to sucker unsuspecting people to download their Malware onto their computers.



I wrote about one such case in the Cyprus Today newspaper recently. The people (living in Northern Cyprus)lost £1,000+ from their Building Society current account over a weekend.



cont.

Washerman


Joined: 19/09/2008
Posts: 2301

Message Posted:
22/02/2011 06:07

cont....



other articles about this can be found at http://www.ticproblemsolver.com for example:



/pc_problems



/malware_protection



/malware_problems



BTW, in the particular case that I mention, the people that lost the money were lucky because they were refunded by the Building Society, but we still had to format their computer's hard disk drive and re-install Windows



Don't take what you read here or, in Google's search results as Gospel and be very careful what you do on the internet !

yenibob


Joined: 13/10/2010
Posts: 1203

Message Posted:
22/02/2011 06:33

Some very clever and knowledgeable people have contributed to this thread and I have enjoyed reading the posts. I have also learned a lot that one day may be useful.

However, after all of the posts, it still seems that if you have the recovery disk, and can read, then the suggestion given in the first reply may well be the answer. It was for me, and though wiping my machine was scary, it worked. And with the added bonus that it cost nothing and was legal.

Washerman


Joined: 19/09/2008
Posts: 2301

Message Posted:
22/02/2011 08:05

Yenibob - I agree, but there are other very important considerations to be taken into account but, like Colonel Sanders recipe (and because it's the way I earn my living) I will keep those a secret.



Of course, people are entitled to save money and I admire your efforts.



A few sayings may explain better than I can:



"A penny saved is a penny earned"



"Why do people always have to learn the hard way ?"



"There's no substitute for experience"



;)

Jimbo51


Joined: 24/09/2010
Posts: 79

Message Posted:
06/03/2011 05:59

So did Mrs Gee get the help that she asked for or is this another thread that ended up in a slanging match between forum members that can't see wood for the trees.Hope that you got sorted Mrsgee and if not you still have my email address.

mrsgee


Joined: 23/06/2009
Posts: 396

Message Posted:
06/03/2011 09:30

Hi Jimbo, yes thanks for asking, I did get it sorted. Washerman put it all back for me, genuine XP and all back up and running normally again. Fortunately, I had saved photos and music to an external hard-drive so I didn't lose them. All I can say to anyone is be very wary of computer 'repair' shops. They may be cheap but in the long run not worth it. I was glad to pay the price to have my system restored.



Many thanks again Jimbo for your interest and offer of help.......and many thanks again to Gwyn for sorting my PC out.