Question on Win XP Installation

JerzZzzZ SG

Pardon this noob question, but is there any difference between installing Win XP from an original disc and a pirated disc, if you use the original product key?

hiphop2009 SG

i nt sure

but pls support original. thankyew!

Conner MacDermott SG

If the previous owner had already activated his Windows XP, you won’t be able to activate yours. That means you won’t have access to Windows Update. Or Microsoft Updates. There will also be a constant annoying reminder telling you to activate your windows.

ndmmxiaomayi SG

Yes. The CD detects if you have entered the product key correctly.

Conner MacDermott SG

Pardon my ambiguity.

I mean the "Activate Windows" button that is on the Start Menu when you installed the software. You can still use Windows XP for almost anything so long you ignore the pesky reminders and invest in a good antivirus software to negate not having security updates from Microsoft.

Cheers.

ndmmxiaomayi SG

Windows will lock you out if you don't activate 30 days after installation.

However, if after activating, at any stage you fail the activation, Windows will keep reminding you. You won't be locked out.

Conner MacDermott SG

Thank you mayi, for reminding me about the 30 days lockout.

That exists if you are using the genuine US version of Windows.

The Chinese version of Windows has no such problems. It can help to improve your command of Chinese too.

ndmmxiaomayi SG

Hmm… haven’t got the money to test out the Chinese version. As far as I know, most are pirated. Microsoft does the same thing to all XP CDs.

Conner MacDermott SG

The Chinese version of XP is solely marketed in China. I got mine from a Chinese friend after I found out that his operating system is in Chinese. From my rudimentary knowledge, the chinese developers had broken the code for this 30 day locking system so you can use the system infinitely without lockout. Phew~

Anyway, I bought a second hand CPU and reformatted it before installing this Chinese XP. It works fine, except that you cannot access Windows (Microsoft) Updates, and Microsoft will send tons of reminders asking me to activate the windows.

Other than that, it should be no problem.