windows xp

[1067deano]

my dad just spent �180 on xp to upgrade his pc...he installed it...then found out that he needed a new motherboard.now he`s tried to install it again and now microsoft won`t validate it...saying that its a new pc....what a rip off...any ideas how to get round this....thanx in advance

[vehelpfulguy]

WHAT !

You spent �180 on XP !

I am afraid he has wasted his money.

You could have got a whole new system unit for not much more than that, with XP already on it as well.

People who build PCs get XP at a much lower cost than if you buy the retail box (as I assume your dad did).

So buying a new system unit also gets you an inexpensive version of XP.

He could have bought the OEM version of XP Home for �64 from Amazon, see here

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Microsoft-OEM-Windows- Home-Service/dp/B000GWKNH2/sr=8-1/qid=11661931 12/ref=pd_ka_1/203-4223047-6358364?ie=UTF8&s=s oftware

Or the OEM version of XP Pro for �100 pounds, see here

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Microsoft-OEM-Windows- Professional-Service/dp/B000GWLTRU/sr=8-7/qid= 1166193112/ref=sr_1_7/203-4223047-6358364?ie=U TF8&s=software

Also, Microswoft are replacing Windows XP with Windows Vista in January so he would also have been much more sensible to wait to then and buy a Windows Vista or a PC with Vista on it already.

Oh dear, not good news all round.

If you show him this append he will probably cry.

[vehelpfulguy]

Here is a complete new system unit for �210 pounds (does not include screen, keyboard, mouse, speakers which are extra)

http://www.novatech.co.uk/novatech/pcrange.htm l?ICO

If you press Select this system you can have XP Home installed at only �267 or XP Pro at �303.

So that makes XP home only �57 and XP Pro only �93.

And for that you would have got a fairly good new system unit.

[Kerplunk]

vehelpfulguy, that wasn't the answer to the question. Not very helpful.

If you contact microsoft and explain the situation they will sort it out over the phone.

[Mattk]

deano sorry to sound negative but if he installed it without 1st checking his system specs then its his fault not Microsoft !

im a bit mystified because he needed a new hard drive why he had to re-install it ?surely the OS lives on your hard drive ?
can he not just re-format his pc again and start over ? or are you saying because hes used the key twice now that MS are saying its not genuine ?

[Mattk]

*meant to say because he needed a new motherboard ! oops my bad.