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I bought a tower that was rebuilt with windows xp already installed on it. Apparently, it has not been used in over 30 days, and now it is telling me I have to activate it to use it. I don't have the product key, and neither does the guy I bought it from-what do I do? Can I buy a new OS disk? And then what?
still learning....
Try activating and then follow the prompts. It should give you all the info you need. Good Luck
Hopefully my advice will help you...Please post back with your results....thanks
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I don't have the product key, and neither does the guy I bought it from..
The guy may have sold you non-genuine M$ Windows which is why you don't have the COA label attached to the tower as required.
I think the guy may have illegally sold you the forbiddened Corporate XP that don't require a key.
M$-System Builders Agreement clearly stated that the COA must affixed to the front or side of the machine. M$ would love to hear from you.
i_XpUser
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Oh boy Othehill I didn't see the OP other post. it and this together suggests that bunny00 may have bought a true lemon...
i_XpUser
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Othehill-no, this is a different computer I had gotten because my other one had the video issues.
And now that I really look at it, the sticker on the front of the xp computer say windows 98-how did I not see that? See what desperation will get you? So now what?? Any suggestions?? (The guy I bought it from does nothing but rebuild and resell computers) Did I get stiffed or is this fixable somehow??
still learning....
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See what desperation will get you?
Plz clarify what you meant by that.
The guy I bought it from does nothing but rebuild and resell computers.
It doesn't matter. He's not handling M$ softwares the way M$ prescribed.
Did I get stiffed...
Without doubts you did.
...is this fixable somehow??
We cannot tell you how to work around a bootlegged Windows. Not with M$ or any other entities where EULA is monitored & enforced. You will end up with a lot of problems. Be smart - go legal.
i_XpUser
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Go back to him and demand he straighted out the licensing issue. As XPUser indicated, this person is someone of interest to Microsoft. It is illegal to sell a computer with ANY version of windows installed on it without a COA (certificate of authenticity) and a product key. You would probably do well to get this person to take the computer back and return your money. They are obviously not reputable. Out of curiosity, how much did you day for the computer and what was included? Do you know the basic specifications, like processor speed, amount of memory and harddrive size?
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XP user- I was in desperate need of a computer, and didn't pay much attention to things like the outside of it-this guy I have dealt with for years, and have never had an issue with him until now. So my best bet would be to buy new software (legally) and start fresh? Then will I need to do a clean install and reinstall?
still learning....
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This could be expensive for you because you MAY not be able to use an upgrade version of WinXP. Do you have a CD for Win98? (CD probably needed for proof for upgrade). That computer is not a candidate to run Vista.
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OtheHill-I didn't pay a whole lot for the computer-it was just something I needed to get me through, until I could get the issues with my other system fixed. If there is an easy way to get the xp one up and running legally I will do so, and in the event I can get the issues resolved with my other computer, then maybe I can hand it over to my daughter. Thanks for all the help with this issue though-both you and XpUser-I had no idea that this was going to be such an issue!! I know what to look for in the future!!!
still learning....
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Can you boot into XP or are you prevented from doing so? If you can get into XP, THIS may fix your dilemma....
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I am afraid to waste any more money-is there a guarantee that this will work? Or, would I be better off buying brand new genuine m$ software? OR, can I remove XP and go back to 98SE? UGH
still learning....
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CPU/Ram: pentII/256
To be honest with you, you'd be better off with Windows 98 on that system & you also won't have to deal with XP's EULA brouhaha. Don't go wasting money on something you don't need.
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Ok.....going back to 98SE is sounding better by the minute. NOW, anyone know how to manually remove XP? Without access to the desktop or control panel, it becomes a little more difficult? (Can't log on w/o activation)
still learning....
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You don't uninstall XP from the desktop, anyhow. Find a legit system, and boot up with the system you want to install, and Fdisk and format the drive.
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You don't remove WinXP while running it. That is like sawing off the limb you are sitting on. The procedure would be to format the harddrive and then install from the Win98CD. Do you have a floppy disk drive in this computer?
What version of Win98 do you have and do you have a floppy disk with it?
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There is a floppy disk drive in the computer, and the disk I have is a CD-ROM disk (OEM) with product key. The version I have is 98SE.
still learning....
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Othehill - that shouldn't be a problem. The OP can get it from www.bootdisk.com. Boot to the floppy to first use fdisk to kill all partitions if there are any. In this case you will need to create active partition before you can format. Then do full format by running format.com or format.exe in order to wipe all traces of XP. If this drive is a single drive, skip the fdisk & do the format as instructed.
i_XpUser
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bunny, follow XPuser advice. Do you know how to enter the BIOS screens? Continously tap Del at startup. This should open the BIOS setup screens. Toggle to Advanced BIOS settings and set the boot order to floppy first, CD second, HDD0 third. Save and exit.
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There is a link to instal guides in the left margin.
I used to have a signature but it disappeared and I just couldn't be bothered writing another so please feel free to ingore this.
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bunny
After you fdisk and format the harddrive then you can install Win98se. Richard59 has pointed to a guide to help you.
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Thank you all!! I am going to give it a shot, and we will see what happens!!
still learning....
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 DVD Playback problem.
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keyboard problem
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