Legally reactivating an illegal XP Pro install

[Spools]

Hello everyone,

The people my fiance babysits for have had their machines deactivated by Microsoft's validation tool. From what I understand, they have 2 machines that a "friend" of theirs upgraded to XP Pro. It sounds like he used the same disk for both machines and didn't give them the disk. They are generally good people and clearly ignorant of the implications of their "friend"'s actions.

This scenario has worked for months without issue but both machines recently downloaded the validation tool through Windows Update and were deactivated. Now they're stuck.

What I need to know is, if I order 2 new OEM WinXP Pro discs for them, will I be able to use the activation codes from the new discs to get them running or will it require a reinstallation on both machines?

[pam123]

This scenario has worked for months without issue but both machines recently downloaded the validation tool through Windows Update and were deactivated. Now they're stuck.

It sounds like they got hit with one of the activation scams that are taking advantage of the WGA mess.
If they downloaded a false update and the drives got wiped your only alternative is to reinstall the OS, which they'll have to buy.

[glc]

No, you dont have to reinstall. Just buy legal copies and use Magical Jellybean to change the CD keys. It should let you into Windows in safe mode to do this.

[flawedreality5]

Originally Posted by pam123 It sounds like they got hit with one of the activation scams that are taking advantage of the WGA mess. If they downloaded a false update and the drives got wiped your only alternative is to reinstall the OS, which they'll have to buy.

I actually just downloaded this update today but didn't install it yet. What do you mean by false update? Is it a legit Microsoft update?

[EzyStvy]

Is it a legit Microsoft update? -> It's legit if you got it from the standard MS update site.

[pam123]

Originally Posted by flawedreality5 I actually just downloaded this update today but didn't install it yet. What do you mean by false update? Is it a legit Microsoft update?

If you downloaded it form the Microsoft site it's okay.
What happened is that the WGA flap has brought the hackers out so there are programs, called 'validation', that are just malware.
check this out : http://blogs.zdnet.com/Spyware/?p=838
Also the rumor floating around that Microsoft set WGA to deactivate pirated software isn't true.
You can get nagged to death but that's about it.

[Spools]

I haven't been on either of the machines myself yet but it doesn't sound like an attack. All of their data is still accessible but (they way it was described to me) it sounds like all the drivers have been "locked out" (i.e. no internet access, 640x480 res, etc).

Thanks for the help and if anyone has further input I'd appreciate it.

[glc]

Right - it's locked into safe mode till it's reactivated with a legit key and a phone call to M$.