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ILLEGAL TO LEGAL....


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#1
TROPICALRAINS

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I bought a computer with a illegal copy of windows xp installed. I was able to use my pc with no problems until I tried to upgrade my present IE and messengers. Recently I was given a LEGAL cd with windows xp. I have tried to install it using the repair function, but i got a mesaage that said it cant be repaired and would have install freshly.
I do not have a backup system and i don't want to lose any of my programs and files. I think that the legal copy recognizes that my present copy is illegal so it wont let me repair. Is there anyway that i can get round past this without losing all my data and reformatting my hd?
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#2
Neil Jones

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You cannot convert a non-genuine copy of Windows to a genuine one without a fresh installation which would mean wiping the machine.
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#3
dsenette

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you'll need to contact microsoft directly to get this resolved....they can walk you through the steps of actually "reactivating" windows with a new product key
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#4
The Skeptic

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This can be done if your legal CD is of the same version as the illegal. Dsennette is correct, I did it a few times already. You call microsoft and they e-mail to you a tool that you use to activate XP with the new key product. five minutes and all is set.
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