I have been using my computer that has a counterfeit copy of Windows XP on it for about a year now. I got fed up with the annoying pop ups so I bought Windows XP Professional. I went to install it and it said that the copy of Windows that I currently have on my computer is newer than the one I want I to install. It said that I have to delete the Windows XP that I currently have on my computer in order to install the new one. Then it said that I may lose all of my files. Is there any way to avoid losing everything I have saved? What kind of files would I lose if I deleted the counterfeit Windows and installed the new genuine Windows? Pictures? Documents?

Thank you so much in advance your help!

Casey

Bad idea to use the pirated version in the first place.

However, good job getting the legal stuff.

It's always better to do a full, fresh install. So, I would recommend that you back everything up onto some external media - DVDs, an external hard drive, whatever. Then, do a fresh install and restore your files. What version is the illegal OS running?

Oh - you would loose all files and settings. Everything. (If you didn't back it up, that is) That includes any installed programs - office, adobe stuff, anything.

Edited November 18, 200718 yr by Idontwantspam

I was hoping there was a way to install Windows over the other one, copy all the info into it (word docs and pictures mostly) and THEN erase the old Windows. ****.

Thanks for the info.

Casey

Well, that's essentially what an upgrade install is, but apparently that won't work in this situation. Therefore, you're stuck with a fresh install. But as I said, fresh installs are always better anyways.

yea its like doing a repair install, i did it already just to change a serial key. i havent encountered any problems yet

but a clean install is always better

@c78scorpio- You make it sound like you don't have any backups for what you have saved on the computer. So look at it this way: Now is a good time to do a full backup and have a fresh install on your computer.

Also, check out nlite for doing your fresh install. Just be sure to run tests on your nlited install if decide to give it a try.

DL

There is a MS supported method for updating your CDKEY which should stop those WGA popups

http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=50346&clcid=0x409

However if it doesnt work, youll need to do a full reinstall

@Geek:

True, but a pirated install could have some hacks that might make things behave strangely. For example, some cracks do weird things to Winlogon which could still mess up WGA. It's definitely a good idea for him to reinstall.

definatly, but i dont think the microsoft tool wont let you change keys if WGA has been tampered with.

Edited November 19, 200718 yr by geek

What I'm saying is that it might not know what to do if things are messed up. So yeah, it might work, or it might not.