Dilemma re wrong OS

[G0AOZ]

User had from new a Shuttle-X minicube PC which came equipped with XP HOME. Somewhere along the line it all went pear-shaped. As I see it, user's "friend" loaded up a pirated or crack'd copy of XP PRO which has subsequently been compromised by umpteen viruses, trojans, etc.

I have cleared out the viruses but the machine still has some major operating system problems. Lots of genuine programmes loaded for which setup disks are no longer available, so I don't want to wipe it and start again. On booting up, after logon it states, "This copy of Windows did not pass genuine Windows validation...". I am confident that the COA sticker for XP HOME is genuine, but if I try to run a repair from the XP HOME CD it doesn't give me the option to "Repair". I'm assuming that's because of that bum XP PRO install...

So is there a way to force a repair? Had to turn off System Restore as it contained too many viruses, malware, etc. Are there specific XP PRO system files which could be deleted to allow the XP HOME repair option to be offered?

ROGER - G0AOZ.

 

[roland63]

Roger,

Although the COA may be genuine, the OS that was intalled in the unit may likely not be (emphasis on likely).

None the less, call Microsoft and explain and they may give you a fix as I have heard they've done in the past with similar problems.

Otherwise, back to square one with a format and reinstall.

Keep us posted.

 

[G0AOZ]

Thanks Roland63. Well I'm pretty sure what has subsequently been installed is NOT genuine, which is why I want to get it back to its legal state with XP HOME!

I'm waiting for the user to contact me before I take any further action, but will post the outcome.

ROGER - G0AOZ.

 

[BadBigBen]

Before you go ahead and wipe the drive, I would do a clone of it just to be on the safe side...

then make backups of the HIVEs:

The following Registry files are stored in %SystemRoot%\System32\Config\:

* Sam – HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SAM
* Security – HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SECURITY
* Software – HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE
* System – HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM
* Default – HKEY_USERS\.DEFAULT
* Userdiff – Not associated with a hive. Used only when upgrading operating systems.

The following files are stored in each user's profile folder:

* %UserProfile%\Ntuser.dat – HKEY_USERS\<User SID> (linked to by HKEY_CURRENT_USER)
* %UserProfile%\Local Settings\Application Data\Microsoft\Windows\Usrclass.dat (path is localized) – HKEY_USERS\<User SID>_Classes (HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes)

...the %Windir%\Repair folder contains a copy of the system's registry hives that were created after installation and the first successful startup of Windows.

src: wikipedia

then delete the WINDOWS folder...

install a fresh copy of HOME, without wiping the drive, and hopefully you can import the Software HIVE and all should be good to go again...

it has not been tested, that is why I suggested a CLONE of the drive just in case...

Ben

"If it works don't fix it! If it doesn't use a sledgehammer..."

 

[linney]

I like Ben's suggestion, here are some further thoughts if that fails.

"Note If you upgraded from Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition, Windows 2000, or Windows NT 4.0, you cannot remove Windows XP".

How to uninstall Windows XP and revert to a previous operating system

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/303661

Get them to buy a legit version of XP PRO and run the Repair using that.

Easiest way to fix a pirate copy of XP pro
thread779-1367838

 

[G0AOZ]

Thanks Ben and Linney. Going to try your suggestion Ben - will let you know how I get on.

There's a limit as to how much time and money it's worth ploughing into it, as I've already discovered the usual PSU problem with this minicube PC.

ROGER - G0AOZ.

 

[sggaunt]

You might find that when you attempt (and it will fail) to run windows update, that you are offered an upgrade to a legal copy of windows.
And in view of the fact that you have a dodgy copy of windows installed, at a very reasonable price.
Having said that..
I do know that some pirate version of XP Pro had an RBot generator 'built in'. From what you describe your copy could be one of these.
So seriously consider a complete wipe, and with no backups where the nastiness could 'hide'!

 

[G0AOZ]

Thanks to all.

User decided to cut his losses... Docs and pictures, etc., were lifted off, disk wiped and fresh install of correct OS using the original (legitimate) licence. He is without all the apps for which he no longer has the CDs, but at least he's operational again with e-mail and Internet.

Microsoft didn't seem very helpful when I spoke to them initially about this problem. Insisted they would do nothing without the original CD even though the COA is obviously genuine. Surely an OEM CD is an OEM CD is an OEM CD! Who is to say which OEM CD goes with which COA sticker... Aren't all OEM XP Home SP2 CDs the same?

ROGER - G0AOZ.

 

[SimonDavies]

No, each OEM has their own code implemented into the CD, this normally allows for home users to install the OS on their OEM based pc without actually needing to use the serial (it's all to do with the BIOS).

Simon

The real world is not about exam scores, it's about ability.

 

[BadBigBen]

No, each OEM has their own code implemented into the CD,

partially true... there are also System Builder OEM CD's, where NO key is pre-installed... with these you can universally install the OS (at least in my experience of the last 7 yrs.)...


Ben

"If it works don't fix it! If it doesn't use a sledgehammer..."

 

[G0AOZ]

Yup, I think you're both right! It's the System Builder OEM disks I'm most familiar with, and that must be what this user had.

ROGER - G0AOZ.