Service pack 1

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confused

I hope someone can help me. I bought my pc from a local
independant shop, it's a second user pc and came with
windows xp pro already installed. When i first got it i
downloaded service pack 1 and was asked to put in a
product key, problem i didn't have one and had XX amount
of days to activate windows, i phoned the shop i bought
it from and they told me that they couldn't give it to me
as i might give it to someone else and that i was to take
the pc in and they would sort it out. Although their
reason for not giving me the key was extremely lame i
took it in and they told me they would have to re-install
xp and i would therefore lose all files on my pc. I don't
know much about computers but thought it was a bit odd,
they said it happened because service pack 1 was already
installed and they didn't understand why windows auto
update said i needed to download it. Their advice was to
disable auto update and then iwouldn't have any more
problems. That was okay until i downloaded something for
msn messenger recently that has told me i need to install
service pack 1 before i can install the other programme.
Now i am really confused. I'm wary of downloading and
installing service pack 1 again in case the same thing
happens as i have so many important files on my pc that i
can't lose this time around. Please help!!!
 
Sounds like the shop that sold you the used pc may have ripped you off. You
may have a pirated copy of XP, that's why they didn't give you a Product
Key. Did you get a XP CD or a recovery CD with the computer? Also click
Start, Control Panel, Help, Is this copy of Windows legal?, this will help
you find out if the copy you have is a legal copy. You can also go to
www.aida32.hu and download AIDA32, the Enterprise version. It will give you
your Product Key, plus much more info. The two fake Keys in wide use are
xxxxx-640-0000356-23xxx and xxxxx-640-2001765-23xxx. If the copy is not
legal go back to the shop and demand a legal copy. If they refuse contact
your District Attorney's office and file fraud charges.
 
If you purchased Windows XP pro with your PC then you either get the full CD
complete with CD key or the PC will have the CD key on a label fixed to the
case of the PC.
I would suspect the copy on your PC is not legal. To install SP1 or 1a you
don't need to input the cd key but it will do a piracy check prior to
installation. Check system properties in control panel it will identify if
service pack 1 is installed (System: Microsoft Windows XP Professional,
Version 2002, Service Pack 1 or 1a)

http://www.microsoft.com/resources/howtotell/ww/default.aspx

Neil
 
Thanks for being so prompt. Does the fact that last time
i tried to install service pack 1 i had 30 days to
activate mean that my xp isn't activated? I have
downloaded a programme that finds the product key in the
comnputer(not a key generator), will this work if i
download and install service pack 1? Is there a way i can
find out if my windows is activated? I tried doing what
it said on the microsoft site; going into start, all
programs, accessories etc but there is no option to
activate windows?????
 
There should be no activation requirement wit SP1.
There is a 30 day time frame upon initial Install of Windows XP but
nothing for SP1.

Your copy is activates if you have been successfully using it for more
than a month.
If it was not activated, you would get occasional messages followed by
minimum capabilities once the 30 days passed.

The program you downloaded will identify the Product Key used to
install your Windows XP.
You should still contact the seller to get the appropriate Product
Key.
Otherwise at a later time you may find yourself unable to activate and
no recourse other than buy Windows XP again.
 
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