Roger, The error was to install the operating system. What you had on your system and what dave does is an illegal licence code not an illegal Operating System. You can go through a wizard to enter a new licence code on the already installed operating system. OEM versions of Microsofts software whilst it is often bought by people wanting a cheap OS who are able to install it themselves is licenced only to be used on a system you build and sell onto someone. I don't' right the licence terms and some don't think is fair. Smiles. Just clarifying to help you folks out. Barry. -----Original Message----- From: access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of roger south Sent: Thursday, April 22, 2010 8:57 PM To: access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Subject: [access-uk] Re: Replacing unauthorizedWindows XP with new legal copy Hi Dave Be careful here. I once bought a machine second hand with an illegal XP system installed. I tried to install a legit copy over it and ended up with 2 operating systems confusing not only me but the machine as well. The solution was to do a clean re-install with a full disc format. My problems didn't stop there however as I then had a reason to contact Microsoft support who told me I had an illegal copy. I went back to the seller who sent me a new copy which I installed as a clean installation. Went back to Microsoft who told me again I had an illegal copy. After a lot of arguing it seems as I'm not a registered Microsoft technician any system I install will be deemed to be illegal. I gave up and now ask my questions on lists such as this. Roger What disease did "cured" ham actually have? ----- Original Message ----- From: "Dave Mack" <dcmack2@xxxxxxxxxxx> To: <access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> Sent: Thursday, April 22, 2010 8:39 PM Subject: [access-uk] Replacing unauthorizedWindows XP with new legal copy > Hi, folks. I have a question about installing a new and legal version of > Windows XP over a prior unauthorized version that was contained on a used > computer that one of my grandddaughters bought at a flea market sale. I > found out it was not an authorized version when I tried to update Windows > XP on the machine and it now boots with an error message saying that a > hardware change has been detected and Windows terminates. So I have > ordered a pristine copy of Windows to install on the machine. I am > wondering, however, if the new installation copy of XP will overwrite > everything or will allow me the opportunity to simply correct the > unauthorized installed version and keep the software in tact. Any > comments would be deeply appreciated. Thanks. > > Grandpa Dave in California > > ** To leave the list, click on the immediately-following link:- > ** [mailto:access-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx?subject=unsubscribe] > ** If this link doesn't work then send a message to: > ** access-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx > ** and in the Subject line type > ** unsubscribe > ** For other list commands such as vacation mode, click on the > ** immediately-following link:- > ** [mailto:access-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx?subject=faq] > ** or send a message, to > ** access-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with the Subject:- faq > > ** To leave the list, click on the immediately-following link:- ** [mailto:access-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx?subject=unsubscribe] ** If this link doesn't work then send a message to: ** access-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx ** and in the Subject line type ** unsubscribe ** For other list commands such as vacation mode, click on the ** immediately-following link:- ** [mailto:access-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx?subject=faq] ** or send a message, to ** access-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with the Subject:- faq __________ Information from ESET Smart Security, version of virus signature database 5051 (20100422) __________ The message was checked by ESET Smart Security. http://www.eset.com __________ Information from ESET Smart Security, version of virus signature database 5051 (20100422) __________ The message was checked by ESET Smart Security. http://www.eset.com __________ Information from ESET Smart Security, version of virus signature database 5051 (20100422) __________ The message was checked by ESET Smart Security. http://www.eset.com ** To leave the list, click on the immediately-following link:- ** [mailto:access-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx?subject=unsubscribe] ** If this link doesn't work then send a message to: ** access-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx ** and in the Subject line type ** unsubscribe ** For other list commands such as vacation mode, click on the ** immediately-following link:- ** [mailto:access-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx?subject=faq] ** or send a message, to ** access-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with the Subject:- faq