Answered by:
Accidentally overwrote XP Home Edition with a friend's XP SP3 Pro update by mistake; can't register on Internet

Question
-
Dear Microsoft:
In December of 2004 I purchased a 17” Dell Inspiron laptop; with Windows XP Home Edition SP1 & SP2 installed. Recently; a virus invaded my computer; which was so pervasive, it was necessary to reformat the hardrive & re-install my Windows XP Home Edition from CD. However; because I did not have my internal modem functioning yet; I borrowed a friend’s Windows XP Service Pack 3 CD; not realizing @ the time that it was the Professional Edition. Also, it required a different Code of Authenticity; which did not match my original one. I downloaded software that allowed me to determine the new CoA; but because either it is a different category of operating system; as well as not a download as before that matched my original Windows XP; it will not allow me to register it on the Internet. Returning to a restore point is NOT an option; & SP3 is un-installable itself. What other options are available before the trial period expires in the next 2 weeks? I really do not wish to reformat & start all over. It took me 2 weeks just to restore all my programs. (;<) (caddman27@gmail.com)
My computer information is as follows:
Service Tag #: 7DDK961
XSC: 16046316649
W-XP-CoA: <Deleted By Moderator>
- Edited by Darin Smith MS Thursday, May 12, 2011 9:24 PM Deleted Product Key
Sunday, May 8, 2011 9:42 PM
Answers
-
"Morgan8r" wrote in message news:4282ad04-6937-49cf-b81a-61a6e2f2d330...
Dear Microsoft:
In December of 2004 I purchased a 17” Dell Inspiron laptop; with Windows XP Home Edition SP1 & SP2 installed. Recently; a virus invaded my computer; which was so pervasive, it was necessary to reformat the hardrive & re-install my Windows XP Home Edition from CD. However; because I did not have my internal modem functioning yet; I borrowed a friend’s Windows XP Service Pack 3 CD; not realizing @ the time that it was the Professional Edition. Also, it required a different Code of Authenticity; which did not match my original one. I downloaded software that allowed me to determine the new CoA; but because either it is a different category of operating system; as well as not a download as before that matched my original Windows XP; it will not allow me to register it on the Internet. Returning to a restore point is NOT an option; & SP3 is un-installable itself. What other options are available before the trial period expires in the next 2 weeks? I really do not wish to reformat & start all over. It took me 2 weeks just to restore all my programs. (;<) (caddman27@gmail.com)
My computer information is as follows:
Service Tag #: 7DDK961
XSC: 16046316649
W-XP-CoA: [redacted]
It's not easy to do such a thing by accident!Please REMOVE your COA - or it will end up being blocked for abuse!You will have to reformat and reinstall using (preferably) the manufacturer's Recovery disks - contact Dell to order a set.
--
Noel Paton | Nil Carborundum Illegitemi | CrashFixPC | The Three-toed Sloth- Marked as answer by Darin Smith MS Thursday, May 12, 2011 9:24 PM
Sunday, May 8, 2011 10:33 PMModerator -
You need to get the correct Dell Windows XP Home Edition Reinstallation CD for your Dell PC. See: How to Request Dell Backup Discs
Carey Frisch- Marked as answer by Darin Smith MS Thursday, May 12, 2011 9:24 PM
Monday, May 9, 2011 3:17 AMModerator
All replies
-
"Morgan8r" wrote in message news:4282ad04-6937-49cf-b81a-61a6e2f2d330...
Dear Microsoft:
In December of 2004 I purchased a 17” Dell Inspiron laptop; with Windows XP Home Edition SP1 & SP2 installed. Recently; a virus invaded my computer; which was so pervasive, it was necessary to reformat the hardrive & re-install my Windows XP Home Edition from CD. However; because I did not have my internal modem functioning yet; I borrowed a friend’s Windows XP Service Pack 3 CD; not realizing @ the time that it was the Professional Edition. Also, it required a different Code of Authenticity; which did not match my original one. I downloaded software that allowed me to determine the new CoA; but because either it is a different category of operating system; as well as not a download as before that matched my original Windows XP; it will not allow me to register it on the Internet. Returning to a restore point is NOT an option; & SP3 is un-installable itself. What other options are available before the trial period expires in the next 2 weeks? I really do not wish to reformat & start all over. It took me 2 weeks just to restore all my programs. (;<) (caddman27@gmail.com)
My computer information is as follows:
Service Tag #: 7DDK961
XSC: 16046316649
W-XP-CoA: [redacted]
It's not easy to do such a thing by accident!Please REMOVE your COA - or it will end up being blocked for abuse!You will have to reformat and reinstall using (preferably) the manufacturer's Recovery disks - contact Dell to order a set.
--
Noel Paton | Nil Carborundum Illegitemi | CrashFixPC | The Three-toed Sloth- Marked as answer by Darin Smith MS Thursday, May 12, 2011 9:24 PM
Sunday, May 8, 2011 10:33 PMModerator -
You need to get the correct Dell Windows XP Home Edition Reinstallation CD for your Dell PC. See: How to Request Dell Backup Discs
Carey Frisch- Marked as answer by Darin Smith MS Thursday, May 12, 2011 9:24 PM
Monday, May 9, 2011 3:17 AMModerator