Reinstalled Win XP >,<

Vampaviric · 26-10-2008, 06:56 AM

Well, recently i have had problems with my Win XP desktop, like spyware and viruses not allowing me to connect to my wireless internet and files from previous owner clogging it all up, so i found the old Win XP installation disk and decided to start again.

so i managed to fix everything okay, but then a little pop up balloon comes up in the bottom right hand corner of my screen : "You have 30 days left to activate Windows" so i though to myself " ahh, i remember doing this with a laptop of mine" so i went though the process thinking it would be easy and over and done with like it was before, but then it suddenly says:

i mean, it said somewhere that the CD was good for 3 installations, and i have installed once, maybe even twice, i have no idea why it is doing this =/

if you could possibley help me, i would really appreciate it.

Vampaviric

**Digerati** · 26-10-2008, 01:08 PM

This is to prevent the illegal copying of Windows. What you need to determine is if that previous owner is STILL using a copy of Windows installed from that disk. If so, you are hosed and you will need to buy a new Windows license.

If the installation disk you have came with another computer, in particular, a factory made computer such as a Dell, HP/Compaq, eMachines, Acer, etc. Then you cannot use it for any other computer - the disk in that case, goes with the machine, not the owner.

If you are certain no other computers are running Windows installed with that disk, then call Microsoft and tell them you had to reinstall because of malware. I have done it many times. Often, you don't even talk to a real person, just an automated process.