lewmur Posted December 29, 2008 Posted December 29, 2008 I'm an old guy living in a retirement community who fixes computers for my fellow "oldsters." One just brought me a computer with a bad MB. This was a "brand name" box with a MS license "sticker" on the side. As could be expected, the computer refused to boot with the new MB and the owner had no idea where the "recovery" cd's were and I didn't have an XP Home cd that matched the key. Tried to get a replacement cd from the "brand name" tech support and was informed they no longer had them for this box. MS, OTOH, said I had to get a replacement from "brand name" because it was OEM. Both "brand name" and MS said my only solution was to buy a new copy of XP.Can anyone say "ripoff!!!!!"So I googled "xphome.iso" and found a "pirate" site, which will remain nameless, that had an .iso that also contained a "crack" for WGA. I realize that using the "crack" would be both illegal and unethical. But I didn't need the "crack." I had a legit "key," and sure enough the .iso allowed me to use that key.I did a "repair" install and used MS update to get SP3 and the latest patches and MS "internet activation" accepted the key. So, who's the thief? Me or MS? As it stands, the computer owner is still without the use of their legitimate copy of XP Office because Office detected the "major change" and required the original Office XP cd before it would execute. Naturally, the owner had no idea where that CD was either. Quote
goretsky Posted December 29, 2008 Posted December 29, 2008 Hello,When such problems occur, I typically check eBay or sites that sell computer surplus to see if I can find an installation disc.When you download a pirated copy of a program from a warez site, you really have no idea what's inside it.Regards,Aryeh Goretsky Quote
lewmur Posted December 29, 2008 Author Posted December 29, 2008 (edited) Hello,When such problems occur, I typically check eBay or sites that sell computer surplus to see if I can find an installation disc.When you download a pirated copy of a program from a warez site, you really have no idea what's inside it.Regards,Aryeh GoretskyI tried ebay. I'd rather take my chances than pay another $80. Avast and RemoveIt pro say all is well. There are no "state secrets" on this computer that need protecting. Edited December 29, 2008 by lewmur Quote
zlim Posted December 29, 2008 Posted December 29, 2008 Install Open Office for the user. Chances are for what is needed (no requirements to sync with business documents), that will work well for him. Quote
goretsky Posted December 31, 2008 Posted December 31, 2008 Hello,Some computer manufacturers provide a retail installation disc for Microsoft Windows with their computers--mostly boutique vendors, such as Falcon Northwest or Voodoo PC. On thing to keep in mind is that OEM versions of operating systems are a lot less expensive than retail version, which is one of the reasons it is possible to purchase a computer these days for $300.00.Regards,Aryeh Goretsky Quote
patio Posted January 1, 2009 Posted January 1, 2009 With a legit liscense key all one needs to do is borrow an XP CD of the same version and Service Packs and do a clean install and re-register...This is well whithin MS's EULA agreement and far better than a DLoad which as stated above you have no idea what it contains... Quote
lewmur Posted January 1, 2009 Author Posted January 1, 2009 With a legit liscense key all one needs to do is borrow an XP CD of the same version and Service Packs and do a clean install and re-register...This is well whithin MS's EULA agreement and far better than a DLoad which as stated above you have no idea what it contains...Fine. Want to lend me your copy? Quote
patio Posted January 1, 2009 Posted January 1, 2009 Sure.What Service Packs did you have installed ? ? Quote
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