xp service pack 2  how would you get it if you hadnt got a valid copy of xp on your pc??
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If you go to windows update it will block the download, as they've protected themselves against invalid product keys, however if you enable automatic downloads, it will allow you to install SP2 and all security downloads as they become available.\n\nThere is also a handy piece of software called AutoPatcher that includes all published updates for Win XP, and lets you install the relevant ones.  The website for it is hard to navigate, but its all there.
75099
Make sure your account has "admin privelages". This is needed to install/uninstall any software using XP. Also, make sure your PC meets the minimum spec (it probably does because it's not power-hungry at all).\n\nTo log-in as an admin temporarily, startup in safe mode (change by pressing F4 at the boot), then select administrator at the welcome screen. Browse for the downloaded file and install it.
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All the other things will stop working if you wipe it clean and start over. However, you should be able to re-install a legitimate copy of Windows over top of the existing one and everything in the registry for the other programs will be kept, and the programs should still work....even if they are counterfeit.\nMine came with XP Home Edition already installed.
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VERY GOOD IDEA!  ME is crappy.  Just be sure not to forget Service Pack 2 on your new XP machine.  I would recommend you start with a clean install.  Good luck.
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Windows XP is a protected operating system which means it usually can't be copied.  If it could be copied, people all over the world would be giving copies to their friends and Microsoft wouldn't be making any money :-)  Having said that, there's a couple of things you can try.\n\nHave you tried doing a custom startup to see if you can "uncorrupt" your system?  At startup,  press the F8 key repeatedly and it will take you to an Advanced Options Menu.  One of the choices will be Last Known Good Configuration.  Use the up/down arrows to highlight it and press enter.  It will try to boot XP using the last hardware configuration that actually worked. If this fails you can again access the Advanced Options Menu. This time highlight Safe Mode and see if you can use a System Restore Point that will return your machine to a time in the past before the corruption occurred. (Click start > help and support > system restore > restore my computer to an earlier time > next > follow prompts.) I'd scroll throught the calendar and pick the earliest restore point you see (maybe in a previous month.)  And if this doesn't help, you can try looking through your system files and recovery disk for XP setup.exe.\n\nIf you can access safe mode, try to run a full system search for something called an i386 file. This file (if it's on your computer hard drive) will be at least 200MB, probably closer to 500MB and is an exact copy of the Windows XP operating system.  If you have it, you can use it to reinstall XP. If it's on your hard drive you'd have to copy it to a separate disk because any formatting of the hard drive erases everything, including the i386. So I'd try an advanced search.\nClick start > search > all files and folders.\nType in i386 in the all or part of file name box.\nLook In: My Computer (using drop down arrow.)\nClick on More Advanced Options.\nCheck mark Search System Folders, Hidden Files and Folders and Subfolders. Uncheck the last 2 items.\nRun the search. You might find some i386 files that are 50MB or so but the one you need will be at least a couple hundred MB.  This article gives a bit more info about the i386 file:\n\nhttp://ask-leo.com/so_just_what_is_the_i386_directory_anyway.html\n\nFinally, if you can't find the i386 on the hard drive, I'd put your recovery CD in the reader and look for the i386 on it.  If you find it, the i386 should contain a setup.exe file that should get you going again, or you might find an XP setup.exe file all by itself. But no guarantees.  Hope this helps and good luck.\n\nplrr
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It would be nice if I was able to tell you that this is possible.  Actually it is impossible. \n\nYou have to purchase a new Windows XP Pro. or XP Home.  If you buy a very small item from an OEM, they will sell you the Windows platform for around $100 or less.   \n\nIf and when you do purchase, please stay there and let the technican install the platform while you wait.  You want to be able to see when the technican starts to download Service Pack 2 and NetFrame Work 2, Windows Media Player 10 or 11 an all of the critcal updates.  As Microsoft will check atleast four times with their WGA tool to verify that the key is valid for each an every download.  \n\nThere are alot of criminal type technicans, who will open a new box with the CD and run it for themselves, friend or member of their family.  Then they use equipment to reseal the package.  An when some poor unknown person comes along they will purchase that platform and Microsoft will say the key is not valid.\n\nClinical Psychiatrist, France
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You don't have to install windows XP again, just go to your control panel and on the left hand-side you will find windows update click on it and it will take you the windows update site, it then will automatically scan your computer for updates, download and install them, you should find SP2 as one of them.\nAnother option is to go directly to\nhttp://update.microsoft.com/microsoftupdate/v6/default.aspx?ln=en-us\nWhich should work the same.
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You can go to the microsoft website and order the disk. You won't find Windows XP for free unless you have a friend who has the disk and will let you borrow it.
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Use genuine Windows XP Edition
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Well, you could try getting the CD drive's drivers by going to the manufacturer's web site and installing them, and you could download Windows XP SP2 at http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/sp2/default.mspx download SP2 install it, restart and then go to http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/update/downloadinstall.mspx so if there are any new updates that you need, they are brought to you automatically.\n\n\n\nHope this helps!\n-crad010
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No, I suppose this is a fake one. Yes if you are using a pirated copy of Microsoft Windows XP, and are trying to install updates from the Microsoft web page, then in that case some updates check for the originality of the O/S, before installation. For e.g. if you are using Windows XP, and you are updating it to SP2 (Service Pack 2), then it will first check for the originality of the Windows XP and then only it will continue.
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You cannot legally download XP anywhere that I am aware. Also serial numbers for XP are specific to that copy of XP due to the microsoft validation and activation system.
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Your only option at this point is to contact microsoft. If its a valid version they will give you another key. Windows xp key only works twice to begin with and then you have to contact them. If you are trying to boot a copy forget it! the encryption is almost infallible!
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If you registered with Microsoft, call their support and they may be able send you copy. Most likely it is out of support so    you may be SOL
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Microsoft is getting tough on people who use pirated software.  If the XP doesn't pass the validation scan MS offers an electronic Product Key for $149 USD (XP Pro) or $99 (XP Home).\n\nThere are several legal merchants who sell the software for a lot less.  Try www.edirectsoftware.com and they had XP Pro SP2 full install disks for about $100 USD.\n\nIf you purchase a full install CD you don't have to do a reinstall.  You can do a repair.  That let's you overwrite the existing XP, repair or replace any corrupted or missing files, register the new Product Key, and you don't lose any of your settings or other applications.  You will have to visit the update site to reinstall patches and fixes.
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1.  click start\n2.  click control panel\n3.  double click on system\n4.  in the field labeled "Registered To:", at the bottom, is your XP product key.
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it is on the box, it is asking you for it, cause it was deleted in the restore process, you should have gotten it before the restore, btw, if this is a store bought computer, with a legit copy of xp, there is a sticker on the case somewhere, the oem has to put it on there