Pirated copy of XP Pro

Yep I got done. I bought a copy of Windows XP Pro and it turned out to be a pirated copy. I installed it (before I knew it was pirated) on my Dell computer and upgraded from Window XP home. The OS works fine but I'm paranoid. I can't update it and I really don't want it on my machine. Dumb, I should have known better, please don't chastise me my husband has already read me the riot act.

Anyway, here's my problem. I thought I could just reinstall the home version from the disk that came with my computer but it told me I couldn't upgrade to an older version. Do I want to install anyway. I clicked yes. Duh. XP Pro is on NTFS and now I have a partial install on the Fat 32. What I really would like to to is to wipe the hard drive clean and start fresh (I will destroy the pirated copy). My question can I do this with a reinstall disk that came with the computer? How would I go about doing this? Step by step instructions please for this dummy.

TIA for any and all info.

 

Sure should be able to ........

its usually kind of difficult ......
Put the 1st reinstall Disc In a CDROM Drive
Turn off your machine
Turn on your machine
Follow any on screen prompts
Be patient
All done ......

 

Rockster, I did try this (didn't shutdown & restart) that's when it semi-loaded to the FAT32 it quit loading because there wasn't enough room. Does it make a difference if I shutdown & restart? I did do a search on google and one place said I couldn't reload with the disk that came with the computer I would have to go out and buy a genuine MS OS. Oh boy this is depressing.

Lorreen

 

Yes, must boot from the cd .
If it does not work post the make/model of comp, some comps uses the fat32 partition that XP tried to install into. Some comps comes with a MS cd instead of a restore cd.

 

That's not right. More than likely they meant you couldn't do a repair of your current OS using it. You should be able to use it to start all over though. Do as Rockster said. Put the CD in the drive (ignore any autorun thing that pops up) and reboot. If you're BIOS is set for it, it should boot from the CD. From there it's just a matter of following the prompts. If you do this however, you'll lose anything you have saved on the puter so you might want to backup anything you consider important to you before you do it.

This is all assuming the CD that came with your puter is a restore disk. If it's a regular XP disk, things will be different but you still should be able to use it if you format the drive first. Try booting from the CD and see what happens. If it's a restore disk, it's just a matter of following the prompts with minimal input from you.

 

Thanks guys for the info. I'll try it tomorrow morning when I'm fresh. Keep your fingers crossed for me. By the way I have backed up all my files and data that I want to keep so I am not concerned about losing anything.

Lorreen

 

Have you thought of contacting Microsoft to see if they will give you amnesty? Depending on circumstances Microsoft may offer a free, valid, legal, copy of XP Pro to you. This would mean you could use the new XP media to repair or reinstall your computer:

http://www.microsoft.com/resources/howtotell/ww/default.mspx

 

Hi guys I'm back. I just put the CD labeled "Reinstallation CD Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition Including Service Pack 1" (came with the computer) into the cd drive, shut down the computer and then restarted. The computer started right back up into the regular mode. It did not go to the CD. Can someone tell me how to get it to start from the CD. Simple instructions please.

Thanks, Lorreen

 

When you turn on the computer you will briefly see a screen asking you to hit a key (usually Del, or F2, but it varies) to enter Setup.

Do so.

In the BIOS setup there will be under one of the Menu choices (Advanced usually, but not always) and there you will find something like "Set the order of boot devices ".

Set it to CD as the first item, and the Hard drive as the second choice. Save your settings.

It will now boot from the CD if you have it inserted.

 

Bill, thanks for the reply...... bear with me here though. F2 got me in then the choice was "Boot Sequence" then listed was:-

1. Diskette Drive
2. Hard-Disk Drive C:
3. IDE CD-ROM Device

Each of these have a check mark in front of them. Should I uncheck 1. & 2. and leave 3 checked?

Also when I am done reinstalling the software do I reverse the procedure? Probably a dumb question because I'm sure that is what I will have to do. But figured I would ask now rather than bother you guys later.

Lorreen

PS: Reason I don't want to call Microsoft for amnesty is that the person who sold me XP Pro is somewhat of a friend/acquaintance and when I complained to him he looked at me as if I were nuts and ask me "what did I expect." Anyway a long story and I'd rather not go there. And I can assure you I won't go back to that guy again.

 

Great success I have installed and everything is running great - so far except everything is very tiny on the screen - can some kind soul send me directions on how to enlarge. I did go to the desktop properties and try it from there but when I enlarge it distorts the icons. Also all the lettering is in a weird font not the usual font????? Any ideas?

Lorreen who is very please with herself and thankful for all the help you guys have given her.

 

Christer, I have:-

Applications
Drivers and Utilities (ResourceCD)
Drivers and Utilities (For reinstalling Modem Software for MS Windows)
Operating Sytem (Reinstalling MS Windows)

I also discovered after I posted that I still have all the old programs installed but they are not showing up when I use the "Start - All Programs" button. Also they are not on the "Add/Remove programs ". I find them on my C drive and it appears that I can access them all except for my Norton Anti-Virus program. Go figure. Any ideas on how to get these into my programs.

Lorreen

 

Before doing a complete format, find out what the Recovery disk really does. If it calls files stored in a FAT recovery partition, it would be unwise to fdisk and format it out of existence.

 

Christer, checked out your link... I'm not that technical. Bill, not sure how to do either of your suggestions.

What I would like to do is complete clean/reformat of my harddrive and reinstall XP Home with the disk that was supplied by Dell with the computer.

The simplest instructions would be appreciate.

Once again I really appreciate all your help.

Lorreen

 

I'd concur that Lorreen wants to step lightly regarding that FAT partition as it contains information regarding her key, Machine ID and the restoration itself.

Lorreen:
Your next step will be to install from the following in the following order:
1. Drivers and Utilities (ResourceCD)
2. Drivers and Utilities (For reinstalling Modem Software for MS Windows)
3. Applications

Note: Discs 1 as above will have Drivers and Utilities for more than just your machine - it will cover several different Dell machines so be careful that you select the correct drivers for your machine. If in doubt, go to the Dell website and input your service tag and it will give you a detailed list of all hardware in your machine as it was when shipped. Each of the necessary driver files are self extracting and will either install automatically after being decompressed or you will need to navigate to the Dell folder on your C Drive after the extraction, find the just decompressed driver # folder and run the executable inside. The exception to this will be your ethernet drivers - follow the directions from the website on these.

Discs 2&3 as labeled above are pretty straight forward no brainers although I'm not sure just how your modem drivers (2.) are configured on that particular CD.

You may also have some extra garbage on that FAT partition since I think you tried to install to that drive at the beginning of the thread. I'm not sure if that is or is not going to be visible to you while running Windows. You may be able to see your failed install and nothing else there.

Good Luck ....

 

Just to clarify Rockster2U's checklist:

You start by booting with the Recovery CD. It will handle any necessary partitioning, formatting, and reinstallation of XP. That is Step #1. You need do nothing as a preliminary step.

It wil do a clean partition and format. And then install XP Home (and all the other Dell junk) just as your computer was when you first plugged it in. It will protect and check the integrity of its FAT recovery partition.