[jsaklas]

rshaaffer61,

It seems that the whole world is buying Dell. I have asked every neighbor and of those that have found their CD everyone owns a DELL. I will keep trying. If I'm not successful in the next few days, I will buy a new XP with COA and the key. The problem is on 15 July I will be leaving for a month and the Dell XP I'm currently using requires activation in 22 days. THus the deadline will come while I'm away, does that mean the the OS will self-destruct, or will it mean that I will be illegal. THe latter is not a problem, because I will load the legitmate new XP I purchase (providing I can't borrow one in the next few days) as soon as I return.

J.

[Advertisements]

I have secured another XP CD. However, I can't find the power cord to my external drive, nor can I find a place that sells them.

What should I do? Should I load the new CD onto my existing HD, but in a different sector (IF yes, explain to me how I tell the computer to put it into a different sector.)

[jsaklas]

I have secured another XP CD. However, I can't find the power cord to my external drive, nor can I find a place that sells them.

What should I do? Should I load the new CD onto my existing HD, but in a different sector (IF yes, explain to me how I tell the computer to put it into a different sector.)

[jsaklas]

rshaffer61, 123runner, others

I'm back on. Will you come on line today?

If the XP Home CD I acquired last night doesn't work then I will order a new one today. I found a power cord for my external HD on-line, but it's 35 bucks + shipping, so if I don't need it, I'd just as soon not buy it. If I must have it, then I'll buy it or a new external HD today as well.

J.

[rshaffer61]

I would install the XP cd you have secured into Windows 2
This should overwrite all Dell programming and thus allow your XP to be original and work with your keyfinder key you have.

The next step will be then to register and update the new installation. Once we know everything is legal and updated we will work on the transfer of your email, browser and data files.

I'm sorry this seems to drag on but unless we can make sure you are legal and registered with updates being able to work it is not going to help in much we do.

Is the XP cd you secured a genuine Microsoft disk and of the same type that was originally installed on your system?
Home or Pro

[jsaklas]

Rshaffer61,

Again, thanks for the help.

Yes, it is a Home version as was my original and the Dell. However, it is NOT an XP SP2, it is ONLY XP, will that make a difference?

J.

[rshaffer61]

That should not be a problem. Updates should take care of the problem.
Since nothing has really been done with the Windows 2 installation you could replace it when prompted and that would wipe out everything with the Dell installation and put the new installation in it's place.
I just want to make sure you are legal and by using your keyfinder key that would do the trick.

[jsaklas]

Rs......

I am asked to Upgrade (recommended) or new install, which do I do?

[123Runner]

Can you run keyfinder on your Daughters computer? I just had a bad thought. I am working on my sister-in-laws laptop. I have the XP Home CD's (not recovery). The key on the CD cover is different that what I found using keyfinder. It is an HP branded laptop that was purchased from a company that upgraded.
My point being that the key as installed and found by keyfinder is different than what is on the CD case.

If the key you find by running keyfinder on your daughters Dell is the same as what we have all been referencing, we still have a problem with legality.

[jsaklas]

123...

I haven't run keyfinder on my daughter's computer. However, the handwritten key on the disk cover is different than the one that keyfinder found on my machine. I will confirm this in the next 20 minutes (I will fire up her machine load keyfinder and then see what it finds on her machine.)

In the meantime, could you answer my query about Update or new install?

J.

[rshaffer61]

As i stated in my last post, the legal thing to do is to install a new XP in Windows 2 and thus it will erase the Dell Xp.

This will make the new install legal as long as you use the keyfinder key because it is YOUR key from your original install.

Upgrading will only install newer versions of files and leave the Dell XP intact. This still remains illegal as the Dell XP is already installed on your daughters system.

I hope this explains this better.

[jsaklas]

rshaffer61 and 123runner,

If I had no bad luck, I'd have no luck at all.

123runner's fears came true. The key that keyfinder.exe found on my machine is the DELL key. I confirmed this by running keyfinder on my daughter's DELL.

Is there any other way to find the key of my original XP, if so, please reply quickly, otherwise, I will have to buy a new legit XP.

J.

[rshaffer61]

I feel that your only option at this point is to purchase a new XP Home and that way you will own a genuine copy from Microsoft with your own Key.

I would advise to do this ASAP so that we can reinstall and get you legal and no interruption from the Dell installation. System will not self destruct but the Dell installation will stop booting.

[hawklord]

i believe that you can buy a key over the phone,
i also believe that as there is a copy of xp that needs a key that this may (only may) be done over the phone as well,

speak to microsoft themselves -

1-800-426-9400, monday to friday, 6:00 am to 5:30 pm (PST) to speak directly to a microsoft licensing specialist

[jsaklas]

All those who have helped,

Miracles of miracles. On Hawklord's advice I called MS. After being bounced from customer service to tech support to purchasing to cust. service then back to tech support, I got to a wonderful helpful person in India.

She was great. She gave me a Key number FOR FREE - I was shocked. And it works. I loaded it up in the same sector and folder (Window2) that the DEll was in, and it loaded up perfectly (so far) and uninstalled the Dell XP.

I'm now in the process of loading up all the software for which I have disks.

Please monitor this thread, because I may need some help in the next day or so. I'll need to know how to delete the original XP (in the folder WINDOWS) and for other problems I may incur.(For example, how do I get rid of those annoying animated animals in Search, etc.)

Thanks much to all.

J.

[rshaffer61]

Congratulations. for a successful resolution for your issue. I am happy everything has been worked out for you.
We will continue to monitor this topic for you and please keep us up to date on your progress.
As always we are here to help when and where we can.