Ok before you tell me there are other threads on this - I know but my query is very specific.

a couple of years ago a friend "upgraded" my Win 98 to XP using his disc. I have decided to go legit and bought my own disc due to the fact that MS no longer provide updates for anyone with a copy on their machine (unless you're willing to send them the disc and shop the person you got it from?)

I need to know if I can simply put the genuine disc in and run the installation or do I need to uninstall the copy first.

MODS - I know this forum is not for discussing pirate software but I hope you appreciate I'm looking for help to go legit

If you buy a legit copy of the software, providing you can show the original box/ license I'm pretty sure there is no reason to uninstall the copy you have.

However if you are audit (highly unlikely) and MS see you were running the software before you purchased it, they can still charge you for lost revenue.

i was thinking more of will the registry be scr*wed, will I lose any data, will it only update the files required or will it overwrite everything etc? will it kill the drivers etc?

Not concerned about being audited, the chances of Bill choosing my 3 year old pc to audit is unlikely. However thanks for your info

Might be worthwhile backing everything first just in case

normally when you install windows over itself it just replaces files it finds are missing / fux0r3d.
to actually replace a copy with an original windows installation you need to actually format the drive to get rid of everything and do a clean install ............back EVERYTHING you might need first :)

If the copy of XP on your computer was only an upgrade from 98 and you slap a full legit version of XP in, you will lose all your data.
After all this time your registry will probably be full of unused rubbish that's just slowing your computer down.
Copy/backup everything you want to keep and perform a fresh install. You won't be sorry :wink:

thanks for your replies. what's the best way of backing up - I'd rather not sit copying to endless cd's. Thinking about installing a second hd to use as a data or application drive to make any future installs easier. Now I know I have to back everything up - Any thoughts on the best approach using a second hd?

Or you could just apply the new genuine product key that you've got.

Originally posted by Cyclone
Or you could just apply the new genuine product key that you've got.

Might find that the new product key won't work on the copied version as most boxed software has the code written into the disk.

Best way to back up is via a usb keydrive you can just drag 'n' drop whatever you want then

Originally posted by RazorSHarp
Might find that the new product key won't work on the copied version as most boxed software has the code written into the disk.

Best way to back up is via a usb keydrive you can just drag 'n' drop whatever you want then What's a usb key keydrive? Bearing in mind I have about 20 gig of files/photos etc

Might be better with somthing like the following then, these are still drag 'n' drop but are simple to use and I have customers that actually do nightly back ups to these.

http://uk.insight.com/apps/productpresentation/index.php?alert=categoryresults&product_id=MXGA044M6

Thanks Razor a bit ott for my use but I understand your thought process. External usb hdd seems to be the easiest, least time consuming option. Thanks for your input, I'm going on holiday next week, the car needs servicing, need a new bed .....somwhere in that list is a backup hdd :)

Originally posted by RazorSHarp
Might find that the new product key won't work on the copied version as most boxed software has the code written into the disk.

Best way to back up is via a usb keydrive you can just drag 'n' drop whatever you want then

I could be wrong, but at the moment when you try to use windows update with a cracked version it immediately gives you the chance to re-register it with a valid key.

does anyone else know anything about this? Is this too big a risk given that some of the data is not backed up anywhere. I guess I could try to register the new key with MS - it either works or it doesn't and would not involve flattening the hdd. Any thoughts from any other techies out there?

I very much doubt Microsoft will let you re-register an invalid product key commuter. There are at least half a dozen ways to get around the Windows Genuine Advantage system though.
I believe the one quoted here is fully legitimate as you are only changing settings that were placed there by Microsoft:or try opening IE, click Tools, Manage Addons, then select the ‘Addons that have been used by Internet Explorer’ option and disable the “Windows Product Advantage” addon. Both options have been tested and work, at least as of this post.

Personally i would backup only things that were vital to me and perform the new install.

How valuable is your data?

Generally? What would it cost to replace? Not just in money terms, but in memories, time, information etc.

Your computer could crash at any time. A lightning strike, a flood, a pet dog reliveing itself. Or the machine gets stolen. a whole host of catastrophies await you and your data.

I know someone who lost all the pictures of his child, taken upto age of 5 all because he didn't backup. He was gutted.

A USB hard drive is a good start. I use an Icy Box. with an 80Gb HD.

http://www.water-cooling.com/reviews/icybox/1.php

K.

This is a good point! My other laptop went in for repair a couple of weeks ago and I'm never getting it back (it's dead). It just so happened to have my only spare copy of my website on it and now my host has been down for the last 3 or 4 days. They can't guarantee my website will be there when they re open the server :(

Now that is going to take me days to remake :?

ALWAYS BACK DATA UP AS YOU GET IT, i always do

Thanks for all your replies. I know it's vital for peace of mind and harmony at home to regularly back up. I will get around to it in the next few weeks. Got to go now, off the Germany to get married .....as you do :)