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who is SP2 available to?

Discussion in 'Windows XP' started by smhouston, 2004/09/18.

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  1. 2004/09/18
    smhouston

    smhouston Inactive Thread Starter

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    i know it was rumoured that people with a copied version of XP wouldn't be able to download it,but is it true?
     
    smhouston,
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  2. 2004/09/18
    Welshjim

    Welshjim Inactive

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    smhouston--MS has reportedly initiated a Validation Procedure so that when you try to download (or install) something from MS (Download or Windows Update sites), they scan what MS programs you already have and will not permit it if the existing MS software is not certified.
    But you can always try and see what happens. :)
    Or you can try this scan to see what MS reports
    http://img89.exs.cx/img89/333/validation.jpg
     
    Last edited: 2004/09/18
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  4. 2004/09/19
    RayH

    RayH Inactive

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    The answer to that question has been off again, on again. Microsoft was allowing, then disallowing, and then allowing suspect keys to download its products.

    The problem from Microsoft's shoes is trying to find a method of stopping unauthorized use that won't irritate their cash customers. But also, a lot of unauthorized copies were purchased in good faith; they were sold by unscrupulous vendors.

    I followed jim's link to a real site. It appears that Microsoft will be verifying installations for downloads of certain products.

    As far as I know right now, SP2 can be installed by anyone.
     
    RayH,
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  5. 2004/09/19
    PeteC

    PeteC SuperGeek Staff

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    There may be a rider here - providing that your copy of XP is not one of the original copies that were pirated big time and which could not be upgraded to SP 1.

    smhouston

    Your best - and cheapest bet is to get a copy of the SP 2 CD - from PC World or Staples in the States, PC World in the UK and now on many magazine cover disks. Try it :)
     
    PeteC,
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  6. 2004/09/19
    Christer

    Christer Geek Member Staff

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    I have installed SP2 on a few occasions and with nothing better to do, I have followed the progress bar and what is happening. The installer performs a license check at the very beginning of the installation, after initial extraction, during the current setup check.

    Christer
     
    Christer,
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  7. 2004/09/19
    smhouston

    smhouston Inactive Thread Starter

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    no,i haven't got an illegal copy of XP on my pc :p
    i'm thinking about formatting hard-drive which would mean me re-installing XP
    my university is in the MSDN alliance and can get me XP for free.problem is is that it depends on if anyone else is using it.if not it only takes 3 days to receive it,if it is ebing used it could take over a couple of weeks!
    someone is willing to get me a copy of XP but don't want to risk re-formatting PC using the copy knowing that it could not work and then have my pc out of use for a couple of weeks even though its essential to my uni course!
     
    smhouston,
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  8. 2004/09/20
    PeteC

    PeteC SuperGeek Staff

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    Are you having any specific problems with your current install of XP? Sounds like you should leave well alone!
     
    PeteC,
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  9. 2004/09/20
    smhouston

    smhouston Inactive Thread Starter

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    no i'm not.i've just bought a new PSU,motherboard and case so was thinking that starting everything from fresh might be a good idea?
     
    smhouston,
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  10. 2004/09/20
    PeteC

    PeteC SuperGeek Staff

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    Very much so - you would have problems simply hitching up your existing HD with the existing install of XP and a reformat is the sensible option.

    As your PC is clearly crucial to your studies consider buying another hard drive - that way you start from scratch, leave your existing hard drive where it is and still have the option to revert back to your old (working :)) PC by moving a few cards, the floppy and optical drives back into it. Not a long job.

    You don't mention if your existing memory is compatible with your new mobo. If you're not sure run through the Memory selector at www.crucial.com/uk - this will show all compatible memory for the board you select and you can cross check against your existing board.
     
    PeteC,
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  11. 2004/09/20
    PeteC

    PeteC SuperGeek Staff

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    PeteC,
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