Guest Chuck9079 Posted October 30, 2008 Posted October 30, 2008 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 Posted October 30, 2008 Posted October 30, 2008 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 Posted October 30, 2008 Posted October 30, 2008 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 Posted October 31, 2008 Posted October 31, 2008 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 Posted October 31, 2008 Posted October 31, 2008 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
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