Windows XP Pro SP2 - Help Please

Hi guys, I'm actually new to this forum but desperately need some help
Here's the story:

I bought my computer new a couple of years ago, now I've discovered that I think I've been had - with a pirated copy of Windows XP Pro. I tried to go into a website the other day and I couldn't because I didn't have javascript. I was redirected to Microsoft to download it only to be told that my Windows is not genuine.

Now, I should have left things alone but I didn't, I tried to put in a new product key and now its telling me it can't activate it and I now have 30 days to activate.

When I put in the new key it damaged my AVG also, which I have now reinstalled.

Someone suggested for me to do a system restore from before I started with the new product key, so this morning I tried to do that, but my computer wont let me. I can't get into the system restore program at all. When I click on the icon it brings up a message saying system restore has encountered a problem and needs to close, it wont even let me open it.

So any suggestions??? If I purchase a genuine product key, this will not solve the problem of my system restore program not working will it. I really don't want to have to reinstall windows because I would have no idea what I was doing.

Any help would be much appreciated.
Thanks

 

Let me start by saying that you will need a genuine copy of windows to do much of anything. If you had a CD, we could post instructions on how to perform repair installations of Windows (hopefully correcting System Restore), or if it came to it, how to reinstall Windows completely. Majorgeeks have walked complete computer illiterates through this before; we can surely help you.

Do you have an installation disk we can work with for the time being?

 

No nothing, I'm thinking of going down the shop and buying one, I really have no idea how to install it though.

What would be the best way to go, just buy a genuine product key, or buy a whole new windows with cd and reinstall it all?

 

Thankyou, I will have to buy a Windows XP cd, then I will do that, I just tried it but yes it does need the cd.

Once I have the cd I wont need to reinstall the whole windows will I, just fix up the restore system file? Once I have a legit product key from the cd I buy I should be able to activate this one on my computer, is that right?

 

Ok, thanks heaps, I will try to get a cd this week

 

I think it's unfair that you have to buy a copy of Windows when you bought the computer which should have had a legit copy of Windows installed. Why can't we just link him/her to a hotfix for the WGA tool.

 

Contact Microsoft and you may be able to get a price break for purchasing a legitimate license, especially if you bought it from a retailer.

Because it's a violation of the DMCA and forum rules.

 

Ok, I have just had a look at microsoft website and they offer a 'electronic key' to anyone that qualifies, to qualify I believe you have to send in the original receipt from purchasing the computer (I think I've still got it), along with the details of the company I purchased it from.

So I'm thinking I might give the company a call, and tell them if they can't supply me with a genuine disk then I may have to pass their details on to microsoft.

Do you think thats ok to do, I'm one of these people that feel bad if I do something wrong to people, although I know its them thats done wrong giving me a pirated version, so not sure why I'm feeling bad.

I might call them on Monday.

 

They cheated you once. Why trust them again? Also, think of how many others they've robbed. I'll concede this: If you lack the reciept, a little arm twisting might be in order to set you right.