JT! Posted December 23, 2008 Report Share Posted December 23, 2008 Gf's Mum's dell PC has been f**ked over by a virus to the point that msconfig and windows help can't find their files. I've read that the virus has actually changed altered filenames and such to try and stop you from removing it.Anyway, rather than spending days trawling through means of getting it all back to normal, i think a good reformat would be just as good.We have no xp cd's but we do have the serial code stuff attached to the side of the computer, i was always under the impression that XP cd's are worthless and it's the serial code you pay for, so is there any way i can download and legitimately burn windows xp to some cds, or buy just the cds without any license?Would that work? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr. Nick Riviera Posted December 23, 2008 Report Share Posted December 23, 2008 Not really worth the effort, just download/borrow one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Danny Posted December 23, 2008 Report Share Posted December 23, 2008 Get yourself an xp cd and use the code on the side of the pc and you should be able to activate it all gravy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JD™ Posted December 23, 2008 Report Share Posted December 23, 2008 As far as I'm aware, and I've done this in the past thinking it was completely legal, it is fine to use a warez site to download a copy as a backup. As you say, it's the license to use the software that you are buying, not the software itself. Just be aware that to have it install correctly you will need the right version of XP - i.e. Home/Pro/Corporate SP1/2/3 - otherwise it will just say you have an invalid key. Your other option, if you're not comfortable with that, would be to give Microsoft a call. They may well, on approval of your serial number, send you a set of CDs. What about a set of OEM discs from an independent computer retailer somewhere? I'm sure if you got friendly with one and explained the situation you'd be able to borrow a set to install from. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
anzo Posted December 23, 2008 Report Share Posted December 23, 2008 Your other option, if you're not comfortable with that, would be to give Microsoft a call.With the premium rate and a long, long time being on hold, it'll probably be cheaper to go out and buy a fresh copy with a new license key Have you looked into Linux at all? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr. Nick Riviera Posted December 23, 2008 Report Share Posted December 23, 2008 If someone can't work out how not to get viruses, they sure as shit won't understand linux. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Balman Posted December 23, 2008 Report Share Posted December 23, 2008 If someone can't work out how not to get viruses, they sure as shit won't understand linux.Depends who its for if its for genral use like internet browsing and saving files surely they would only notice the diffence in oh look its a differnt task bar and it wouldn't go much further than that to them i say go for linux in my opinion Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr. Nick Riviera Posted December 23, 2008 Report Share Posted December 23, 2008 There's no benefit for it in everyday use yet, shit, windows is still too complicated for a lot of people. I'm all for linux, but it's got a very niche market and would be more appropriate for someone with no computer knowledge rather than someone who is used to xp. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Muel Posted December 23, 2008 Report Share Posted December 23, 2008 I found linux to be really good, until I needed to install anything, like my graphics card drivers. There are about 5 different drivers out for Nvidia 6 series cards, and not one of them worked.On XP, all I had to do was download and install it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack Chinnery Posted December 23, 2008 Report Share Posted December 23, 2008 (edited) Gf's Mum's dell PC has been f**ked over by a virus to the point that msconfig and windows help can't find their files. I've read that the virus has actually changed altered filenames and suto try and stop you from removing it.Anyway, rather than spending days trawli ng through means of getting it all back to normal, i think a good reformat would be just as good.We have no xp cd's but we do have the serial code stuff attached to the side of the computer, i was always under the impression that XP cd's are worthless and it's the serial code you pay for, so is there any way i can download and legitimately burn windows xp to some cds, or buy just the cds without any license?Would that work?Ad aware try it before, Im good when it comes to computers I can send you nothing as its against forum rules. Edited December 23, 2008 by Krispoats Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
anzo Posted December 23, 2008 Report Share Posted December 23, 2008 Ad aware try it before, Im good when it comes to computers I can send you a crack for ad aware pro if you wantRighto. You're so good that you want to but hard working programmers out of business by stealing their software?Way to go! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Krisboats Posted December 23, 2008 Report Share Posted December 23, 2008 Ad aware try it before, Im good when it comes to computers I can send you nothing as its against forum rules.No you can't Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JT! Posted December 23, 2008 Author Report Share Posted December 23, 2008 Have you looked into Linux at all?Nah, we need windows xp.Ad aware try it before, Im good when it comes to computers I can send you nothing as its against forum rules.We tried about 5 different virus / malware programs, nothing will pick it up.Thanks for the help, especially the tip about making sure i get xp home and no other edition, forgot about that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sam Ward Posted December 23, 2008 Report Share Posted December 23, 2008 Righto. You're so good that you want to but hard working programmers out of business by stealing their software?Way to go!No you can't I always thought adaware was free, shit but free Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hendrix Posted December 23, 2008 Report Share Posted December 23, 2008 Ad Aware is, but not Ad Aware Pro; I don't think. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JT! Posted December 29, 2008 Author Report Share Posted December 29, 2008 Ok, got hold of a CD, but its professional not home.I doubt my key will work, but ill try it anyway.Can i just use any product key or will it know theres two people using it and what'll happen then etc? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Krisboats Posted December 30, 2008 Report Share Posted December 30, 2008 I always thought adaware was free, shit but freeHe was on about sending out cracks via pm, i said he can't. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JT! Posted December 30, 2008 Author Report Share Posted December 30, 2008 Ok, so we got hold of a disc! But when we installed it loads of errors came up refering to Rundll32.ddl - bad image.It comes up pretty much when i do anything that has anything to do with wondows, anything in control pannel - some thigns won't even open.I guess it was a dodgy install, so is there anyway i could get hold of another disc and somehow repair it rather than have to whipe everything and start over again? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr. Nick Riviera Posted December 30, 2008 Report Share Posted December 30, 2008 It's quicker and easier to reinstall, was it a legit disc? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JT! Posted December 30, 2008 Author Report Share Posted December 30, 2008 It's quicker and easier to reinstall, was it a legit disc?Nah, it was a copy.I noticed a repair option when i was reinstalling. Would that be any use? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack Chinnery Posted December 31, 2008 Report Share Posted December 31, 2008 Nah, we need windows xp.We tried about 5 different virus / malware programs, nothing will pick it up.Thanks for the help, especially the tip about making sure i get xp home and no other edition, forgot about that.Malware bites. Found one, my laptop was f**ked over and sorted everything. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jimbo Limbo (Trials Chimp) Posted January 1, 2009 Report Share Posted January 1, 2009 Nah, it was a copy.I noticed a repair option when i was reinstalling. Would that be any use?You can try but a repair from the same disc that just gave you the faulty install probably wont do much good.Get a proper CD from somewhere, then at least you know you have a good copy to start from. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JT! Posted January 1, 2009 Author Report Share Posted January 1, 2009 You can try but a repair from the same disc that just gave you the faulty install probably wont do much good.I was hoping a repair from an official disc. But not sure what the repair option actually does. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jimbo Limbo (Trials Chimp) Posted January 1, 2009 Report Share Posted January 1, 2009 Reinstalls the operating system files without a full wipe of the harddrive and new install. So your files (pics, documents etc) will survive but you will need to download and reinstall all windows updates and patches. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JT! Posted January 1, 2009 Author Report Share Posted January 1, 2009 OK, that sounds good. As it's only anything windows related. Would that keep installed programs too? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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