Please Help! I think this will be an easy question to answer...

[c78scorpio]

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

[Idontwantspam]

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, 2007 by Idontwantspam

[c78scorpio]

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

[Idontwantspam]

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.

[D_block]

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

[mark]

@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

[PC_LOAD_LETTER]

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

[Idontwantspam]

@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.

[PC_LOAD_LETTER]

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

Edited November 19, 2007 by geek

[Idontwantspam]

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.