DawgTalkers.net Forums DawgTalk Tailgate Forum Computer Problem Help!?

A number of years ago I bought Windows XP Professional from ebay for a greatly reduced price!

I tried to go onto the internet yesterday to do various tasks and it is dead! I remember reading about Internet Explorer 7 had the ability to zap anyunofficial copies and I am wondering if that is what has happened? I can still connect to msn messenger, ladbrokes poker and all my other games through shortcuts on my desktop but as soon as I go to the Internet the system freezes!

Has anyone had any experience of this? What options do I have (if any?) If I go and buy Windows XP pro from a shop will it load onto my system?

I think the general question is HELP!!!???

Hmmm? The symptoms you describe could be a virus. First I would suggest you run a full updated antivirus and anti spyware scan. Then, locate your product key. If you do not already have it, try this. Then attempt a system restore. If that does not do the trick, you may have to repair windows. Does anyone disagree?

Thanks for that netdawg. I did run a full system scan yesterday on Norton and it was clean?

I am on my work computer now - which enables me to use the net! how do I use the suggestions you have given me when I cannot get on the net on the problem computer?

Thanks again

Instead of buying another copy of XP, why don't you just backup your data and reinstall XP with the CD you have? You said you installed your copy years ago. It might be a good time to start fresh.

But if the problem of my copy not being 'original' caused the problem in the first place, wouldn't this keep happening when the upgrade for internet explorer 7 happens on my updates?!

I am a novice when it comes to I.T <img src="/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />

Are you trying to use Internet Explorer? If so it's probably just spyware, it's rather common with IE.


Switch to Mozilla's Firefox browser. Besides IE 7.0 is still full of bugs, can't beleive they actually released it already.

Windows would tell you if your copy was invalid. There is next to no chance what you're seeing in Windows deactivation. I think it's corrupted Windows or a hardware problem. If you're unsure, call Microsoft and check out your key. Do anything but run out and buy another expensive XP disc!

Windows is a lot more than just surfing the net so I doubt it is an illegal copy, ry a different browser. Download Firefox onto a CD or floppy at work and install it when you get home and go from there.

How do I switch to Mozilla Firefox browser if I cant get on the internet to download it?

Aldamon - I do have my XP Pro discs so I will try to re-load that on also?

I have also downloaded IE6 to a cd-rom and will try and install that when I get home!

Thanks guys ....

----->

I don't want to be mean, but I think if you read your question out loud you'll notice that it doesn't make any sense <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

What makes Mozilla better than what is installed?

Aldamon - The posts were 1 minute apart .... I was typing my question as he was replying! and not making sense is one of my strong points!!

ANYWAY .......

I downloaded mozilla to a cd and I am writing this from my home pc .... It works!!!

Thanks for all you help Dawgs. Very very much appreciated <img src="/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />

Most viruses are designed to attack microsoft products. Mozzilla is not a microsoft product and is less susceptible to infection.

Peen, its a better product imo. I just started using it 2 weeks ago. It keeps track of any files you download. It has, automatic spell check. I use IE at work, and firefox at home, and I miss fire fox at work. I believe it is smaller in size also, but don't know for sure. I highly recommend it..

When I come here, usually I'm "pretending" to know what I'm talking about when it comes from football. Computers are my livelihood.

Mozilla / Firefox (for the sake of argument, I'm going to refer to it as just firefox) is better than "what is installed" (Internet Explorer) for a variety of reasons.

Speed is one reason. Firefox is faster because it uses less system memory, and it's designed to be a web browser. Internet Explorer isn't just a web browser. It's also a file browser. It just happens to also browse the web.

Firefox is much more secure. Internet Explorer is "attached" to the Windows Operating System. If IE crashes, windows essentially crashes. If IE get's "hacked" remotely, windows can essentially get hacked remotely (be warned of ActiveX). Firefox doesn't inherit the underlaying security flaws of the Windows OS. Firefox runs on top of, not within, windows. So if Firefox get's "hacked", windows may (I say "may", because windows is about as secure from "hackers" as a wal-mart with it's door off it's hinges in post katrina New Orleans)
Firefox is also "open source". Internet Explorer is not. Which means, that anyone can go to mozilla.com and download the computer code on how firefox is built. We can see how it runs. Anyone can improve upon, fix, and secure firefox. Since Everyone can see it, something doesn't stay broken for long. Internet Explorer is closed source. Which means that only certain people in Microsoft can see the code for Internet Explorer. Open Source security Vs. Closed Source security is a touchy subject, but can best be explained like this:
If you lived in a glass house, everyone could see the mess you would leave around your house. Assuming that you thought your image to the neighborhood was important, you'd keep your entire house spotless. Everyone knew what you had, and where you have it. Nothing in your house is a secret to any one. If someone sees your big pile of dirty laundry / dishes / etc, everyone will make fun of you at work the next day. Especially if ate off of a dirty plate or didn't wash those clothes before you wore them again. Thats the "glass house" example of open source security.

Closed source security is like a normal house. No one knows but you if you wore those pants twice. Closed Source security implores the "Security by obscurity" model. Meaning, as long as you can't see it, it's secure, right? If we don't tell anyone that we leave the front door to our house unlocked, no one will break in, right?

The problem really with Internet Explorer, and Microsoft in general is that no one outside the company really knows how many security holes, flaws, and bugs their software has. Would you put your money into a bank that "might" have a secure vault? Or just "might" have all the doors locked at night? I wouldn't.

Sorry to get off topic, but yeah, you may have some spyware.

Try a program such as:
ad-aware (free)
spybot search and destroy (free)
spysweeper ($30 at wal-mart, but a great program).

If your copy of windows was "illegal", you'd get little pop-up windows in the lower right hand corner saying "this may be an illegal copy...blah blah blah...give us more money".

Microsofts EULA (end user license agreement) says you can transfer the license of a non-OEM copy of Windows. Meaning, that if you have a copy of windows that came with a Dell, Gateway, etc... it's an OEM, and according to Microsoft, is not yours. "The right to use that copy of windows XP" still belongs to the original person who bought it. If it's a non-oem disk, then yes it's yours through resale from the original owner. The easiest way to tell if it's OEM or not is to see if it says anything about Gateway, Dell, etc...