Unable to obtain windows updates

When I bought my computer it came with Windows XP home edition. After awhile my system became bogged down with spyware and some virus'. I had someone from work clean my system and when he was finished, he had installed Windows XP Professional editon. I didn't think much of it at the time. But as it turns out I cannot receive windows updates and now have a star shaped icon on my toolbar (Genuine Microsoft Software) stating that my version of windows has A VLK (volume license key) that has been blocked. It is prompting me to buy a windows genuine advantage kit for $149.00 to rectify this problem. Do you feel that would be a valid solution, or should I buy the XP professional new? Also with either choice, will I loose any data or programs in the process? I would appreciate your help. Thank You.

 

if u still have the windows xp home cd just reinstall your copy of windows again. before u do so however make sure u have backups of anything u want saved in your computer. because if u do a fresh reinstall everything gets erased. there is no real difference between windows xp home or professional as i have both in 2 different computers.hope this helps u. i dont know why this person changed operating systems on u. thats a mystery to me and especially with a vlk.

 

Thanks for the reply. When i purchased my computer it came with Windows XP home Edition. I looked through my paperwork and there's no CD to reinstall. I guess the guy who I thought was helping me, didn't bother to tell me that he did not have an updated version (CD) of my operating system so he just installed what he had without consulting with me. Now he doesn't answer his emails so i'm stuck. i'll have to contact Microsoft and question them as far as possibly losing anything at all after i install this Genuine Advantage Kit instead of spending $300.00 for a new disk.

 

hang on a second. heres what u can do. if u have the coa sticker from windows xp home on your computer its on the tower if its a desktop its on the bottom if its a laptop. u can go to any computer store and if u can show them your legal coa sticker they should be able to burn u a legit copy of windows xp home sp2 for about 5 bucks. thats what i had to do with my one computer that came with nothing. or if your coa sticker is gone u again can go get a legit copy for about 40 bucks. i had to do that also with another computer that had nothing. hope this helps u.