Xp Upgrade Problem

How does one get rid of "This may not be a genuine version of Windows XP " after upgrading to SP2- even though it is! The upgrade key is registered and OS continues to work, but "my computer" takes ages to find all the hardware devices.I cannot select the hardware once "My Computer" comes up.
Don't want to format C drive as I don,t know what needs saving- wont copy to second drive.
"Not a genuine version" disappeared from "add/remove programmes" when upgrade was installed but still comes up with " may not be genuine copy" when rebooted!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

I don't know why that would be, SP2 outright refused to activate on my old com. Microsoft has become so snotty lately that they won't even distibute beta's without validating anymore.

 

By "upgrade key is registered" do you mean that you windows is activated? If you go to start->all programs->accessories->system tools, is there an option to "activate windows"? If yes, what happens when you double-click on it?

If Windows activates but does not validate, it might be a problem with the valadation software not getting on the internet properly. Make sure your computers date, time, and time zone is right (double-click on the clock in the lower-left and make sure the information is right), then go to http://www.microsoft.com/genuine/default.mspx?displaylang=en and click on "validate Windows". Follow the prompts. Hopefully, it will Validate OK, if it does not let use know what error it gives you.

As for the hardware issue you mentioned, go to start, run, and type "devmgmt.msc" (no quotes). Does device manager open?

One more question, did you install SP 2 off the internet, or did you run an install with a new Windows XP cd with SP 2 on it?

Best of luck, hope some of this helps, let us know what happens.