Was my copy of Windows XP previously registered?

[Guest Chuck9079]

I would like to know if there is a way to

1: find out if a copy of Windows XP was previously registered, and

2: Check for a legal copy of Windows

without actually trying to install the software in my machine. Is there any

way to check the numbers beforehand and avoid the trauma to my computer if

the software is bogus?

[Guest Jim]

Re: Was my copy of Windows XP previously registered?

 

On Wed, 29 Oct 2008 22:17:00 -0700, Chuck9079

<Chuck9079@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote:

>I would like to know if there is a way to

>1: find out if a copy of Windows XP was previously registered, and

>2: Check for a legal copy of Windows

>without actually trying to install the software in my machine. Is there any

>way to check the numbers beforehand and avoid the trauma to my computer if

>the software is bogus?

 

If it`s in a plastic cover , it should have a hologram on it .

[Guest Malke]

Re: Was my copy of Windows XP previously registered?

 

Chuck9079 wrote:

> I would like to know if there is a way to

> 1: find out if a copy of Windows XP was previously registered, and

> 2: Check for a legal copy of Windows

> without actually trying to install the software in my machine. Is there

> any way to check the numbers beforehand and avoid the trauma to my

> computer if the software is bogus?

 

No, sorry - unless the install CD is an obvious fake.

 

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

Piracy Basics - Microsoft Product Activation -

http://www.microsoft.com/piracy/basics/activation/

MS piracy site - http://www.microsoft.com/resources/howtotell/

 

Malke

--

MS-MVP

Elephant Boy Computers - Don't Panic!

FAQ - http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/#FAQ

[Guest Chuck9079]

Re: Was my copy of Windows XP previously registered?

 

Thanks for the reply. I was afraid this was the case. It's a pity there's no

way to tell if someone is selling you a "virgin" DVD or a previously

registered copy, or worse, a bootleg without actually going through the

process. The copy I'm running now was a clever bootleg which Microsoft made

legal for me at a cost of $70 after I had installed it and found it was

bogus.

 

"Malke" wrote:

> Chuck9079 wrote:

>

> > I would like to know if there is a way to

> > 1: find out if a copy of Windows XP was previously registered, and

> > 2: Check for a legal copy of Windows

> > without actually trying to install the software in my machine. Is there

> > any way to check the numbers beforehand and avoid the trauma to my

> > computer if the software is bogus?

>

> No, sorry - unless the install CD is an obvious fake.

>

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

> Piracy Basics - Microsoft Product Activation -

> http://www.microsoft.com/piracy/basics/activation/

> MS piracy site - http://www.microsoft.com/resources/howtotell/

>

> Malke

> --

> MS-MVP

> Elephant Boy Computers - Don't Panic!

> FAQ - http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/#FAQ

>

>

[Guest Malke]

Re: Was my copy of Windows XP previously registered?

 

Chuck9079 wrote:

> Thanks for the reply. I was afraid this was the case. It's a pity there's

> no way to tell if someone is selling you a "virgin" DVD or a previously

> registered copy, or worse, a bootleg without actually going through the

> process. The copy I'm running now was a clever bootleg which Microsoft

> made legal for me at a cost of $70 after I had installed it and found it

> was bogus.

 

The best way to insure your Windows operating system installation media is

genuine is to purchase it from a reputable online or brick-and-mortar

source such as NewEgg or Amazon or Office Depot, etc. This doesn't include

eBay, CraigsList, or a garage sale.

 

Malke

--

MS-MVP

Elephant Boy Computers - Don't Panic!

FAQ - http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/#FAQ