Jiu-Jitsu

Fell asleep at the wheel last night so to speak and went to bed. So please forgive my lack of input. So back to business.

Jiu-Jitsu,

Why is it I get the impression that what we're really dealing with here is your over inflated ego rather than any real attempt to help the OP with his problem? One of the comments on your profile would certainly seem to indicate that that is a fact.

So let's deal with some basics here. First and foremost, there are certain facts in the opening post which have to be considered. So for your particular benefit, here they are again:

Seldom do I venture outside the above comfort zones, so, when my computer was returned in a somewhat different configuration to what I was previously comfortable with, I needed help. Therefore I find all the comments / suggestions etc posted here most enlightening.

Recently my motherboard died. So I called & paid a Thai Tech to make repairs. As it is 5 years old, I was aked what I wanted, a repair or an upgrade. I chose to upgrade, & yes my machine is working faster].

Originally I had an original registered copy of XP Home on my PC, & I received regular update notifications from Microsoft. Unfortunately, the technician has now installed a copied XP Pro, along with some other programs that I'm not sure what they do. In addition IE is so old it must be the original version.

I still have the original XP Home CD, which I would like to reinstall.

Important point #1. The machine is five years old.

Companies do not keep hold parts indefinitely, even generic ones. So the motherboard which has been replaced will definitely not be a clone of the original. That being the case, the OP needs a new licence if he wants to continue using his own copy of Windows XP Home. Will he get one from Microsoft? I sincerely doubt it since the operating system has been withdrawn from the market for all but notebooks. Please read article #11 in this Microsoft document, because I get the distinct impression that you're ignoring it for some reason known only to you.

Important point #2. The machine is working faster than it was before.

You want to jeopardise that by reinstalling Windows XP Home for which the OP is unlikely to obtain a licence. If it was legal to do so, then the Thai technician could have reinstalled Windows XP Home for him using his own disc.

I'm not all that adventurous (in regards to computing) & therefore my comfort zone has limited me somewhat to

* Word processing

* E Mailing

* Photo Albums

* Music Library

Once again, some important facts here to consider. By his own admission, the OP is a novice user. He knows how to use a number of applications, but knows nought about installing an operating system. You know as well as I do that Murphy's Law often rears it's ugly head when you install an OS. There's absolutely no guarantee that the operation will run smoothly. So what's he going to do when he gets a pretty blue screen? Phone you?

You have to take these factors into account when giving people advice on a forum.

Since he now has a machine which is working a lot better than his original installation, I personally think he's a lot better off using the one he's got. He can still install security patches, download IE8 etc., etc.

I rest my case.

Dear Xircal

All of your argument are based on your limited and erroneous knowledge. Much like those who believed the world was flat and based all of their arguments on this false premise.

Fisrt of all I have never entered any information of my profile, so any information is there by default. You must really revel in being wrong as you seem to have spent much of your time in doing so.

Secondly, your erroneous suppostions are based on your ignorance of the subject. What you are actually writing iis that ; based on your non-existent knowledge of the subject, you presuppose the outcome by making this statement.

jeopardise(the OP's incorrect use of a Volume Licence) that by reinstalling Windows XP Home for which the OP is unlikely to obtain a licence.

So, please don't spout on disingenuously about illegal licensing whilst encouraging the OP to use a stolen key.

Your knowledge is limited. Just leave it at that...unless you choose to increase your knowledge.

I have walked people through the procedure many times. Give it a rest. You are using only your layman's knowledge.

Please don't try to bluff your way out of your statement. You jumped in, brashly suggesting that we didn't know anything about the subject and were posting whilst drunk. You have been hoisted by your own petard.

The differences are clearly important and to suggest otherwise is not only irresponsible but clearly illustrates your lack of knowledge on the subject.

Perhaps it was unwise for you to appear to post whilst being drunk.

As to the disc being used, it is almost certainly a VL disc with a VLK. Anything else would incur a cost which would be passed o to the OP.

If you don't know, don't try to bluff it out and further confuse anyone else who may wish to gain knowledge from this thread.

Just ironic that you are doing the very thing that you claimed others were doing in your very first post. Funny. Not.

OK, last one for you, you cantankerous old berk. First, you have categorized yourself as a drunken poster, not me. If the cap fits.......... Second, it was lunchtime where I am when I posted, and unlike many of the group you include yourself in, I don't drink before the sun goes down. Terribly bad form, don't you know. Third, you don't know any more than anyone other than the tech which disk was used, so you're talking through your a*se. Fourth, I didn't bluff anybody; I did not claim to be an expert, indeed I said I wasn't. Finally, you are clearly the expert, you must be, you say so yourself. So you help the OP and stop getting on my case. I was trying to help, you're just trying to show us all how clever you are. O.K. you're clever. I'm convinced. Now go away and play with yourself.

Allow me to reprint your original post in which you claim that you tried to "help".

Here we go again. Some poor guy asks a perfectly reasonable question and gets flooded with answers from people who must be so bored they just cannot resist answering questions on subjects of which they clearly have zero knowledge or expertise. Why oh why? The poor guy ends up not knowing whether he's coming or going because some idiot (or group of idiots) can keep their metaphorical mouths shut.

I'm sure there is an IT guy out there who really does know what he (or she) is talking about and I'd respectfully ask him or her to give the definitive answer. In the meantime, here's some input in an area in which I do have knowledge and experience so perhaps the real expert lurking out there can fill in the gaps.

First, the software load itself (i.e. the CD or DVD) is dumb. There is no relationship between that piece of media and the activation code (if any) printed on the back. Think about it; these things are stamped in their thousands, for a few cents each. Customized they are not. So, for the person asking the original question, if he/she is sure the tech loaded XP from a good source (an original MS disk), he/she does not need to reload it. Indeed, as far as I can see much of the "advice" dished out here could well end up with our novice having two o/s images on his machine which will confuse him even more. If he (sorry if it is she) is not sure of the source then a reload will be a good idea, because many of the copy versions out there are corrupt or have virus's.

I have no idea how MS verifies your copy of their o/s. There are a few ways to do it. I'm sure our expert can tell us. It might just be from the activation code or it might be from that code plus the board ID. If it is the board ID, I'm certain a call to MS will, as one poster indicated, result in the issue of a new activation code. It is in their interest to do that, for obvious reasons.

I have reloaded XP so many times I have lost count, from various disks I have laying around (I'm terrible at tracking and filing my original software). I have NEVER had a problem, even when I changed a motherboard. Yes, I always register. No, I don't run WGA (Windows Genuine Advantage) because I don't need to. I don't want to either, but that is a different discussion.

I'll return to my general comment. This is a great forum with huge potential for information exchange and helping people out. Lot's of good information and very informative help from people who obviously have a decent idea of what they're talking about. I reckon if you want to be funny or whatever, that's fine and usually obvious, and have at it. But if you want to present a serious answer and it's just an opinion, please lead in with something to the effect of "It's 11pm and I'm bored and half p*ssed. I have no idea what I'm talking about but the bloke down the pub mentioned this very subject, just after the sixth pint, as I blurringly recall, so here is my expert opinion" At least we'll all know we can move on to the next post.

The truth is that you are just a TROLL(In Internet slang, a troll is someone who posts inflammatory, extraneous, or off -topic messages in an online community). You knew nothing about the subject and just posted to vent your spleen. Now you have made your inflammatory posts, you will disappear, back from whence you came.

Whereas at least, although differing in opinion, there are genuine attempts to help the OP. More than can be said for your pointless posts.

Indeed I know a fair amount about the subject and proffed my help without condition. I'm not sure why you posted at all.

Goodbye then.

Wrong.

What is?

Your assertion that every Windows installation CD is the same.

In terms of an OEM version, it is.

Respectfully, I think you should read this thread again from the beginning because your comments are out of sync with the subject at hand.

As I see it, you want to help the OP install what will be an illegal copy of XP. It was only legal when it was installed on the machine prior to the motherboard being replaced. Once that component has been replaced with another one which is not a clone of the original, a new licence is necessary. This is clearly stated in the document I linked to.

So in that respect, you are being of no help at all and your only contribution is to spread confusion.

Please stop. You really don't understand the subject and you are trying to move the goalposts rather than actually hit the mark.

Not all OEMs are the same either. In addition, the OP does not have a OEM licence installed to his PC. His original OEM installation has been removed and replaced by an inappropriate VL, not OEM.

So your continued insistence that all XP discs being the same(now changed to all OEM discs being the same) is not only irrelevant but just wrong.

As to your ridiculous conjecture about illegality....it's only because you do not understand the system and I'm not about to explain it to you.

Educate yourself instead of engaing in pointless argument. You know that your knowledge on the subject is limited, yet you insist on making pronouncements.

The fact is that the confusion is created by the people who simply do not understand the subject. That includes yourself.

There are different discs and different licences. They are NOT the same. Try to cover up the gaping holes in your knowledge only serves to add to any possible confusion.

If you want to believe all the discs are the same, that is up to you. But don't spread your ignorance to others.

Both of you asserting that all Windows XP discs are the same is equally ridiculous. If that were the case you would be able to activate a retail verson of XP with a VLK. You can't unless the modify the PID value.

The basic installation media is the same on all versions of OEM discs which is what the OP has installed. I thought that particular fact had been established some time ago. If he had a retail version, we wouldn't be having this conversation.

Wrong. A Volume Licence disc is different from an OEM disc, which is different from a Retail disc. The OP does not have an OEM disc installed.

For that he would need a licence and activation. VL discs do not need to be activated.

Best to wind your neck in, as bluffing will not work with me. If you don't know, just admit that you don't know.

See my earlier response. I knew that and I'm certain Xircal did too. I guess that by ignoring my reply you were able to get a hard on by telling everyone how clever you are. Congratulations. Now help the OP yourself, since you know everything.

Your post is full of bluff and bluster. You admit to not knowing what kind of disc is installed on the OP's PC. That shows that you don't know enough about the subject to understand there is only one likely choice.

Now you are riding in on my coattails with cries of "I knew that". Please....desist. It's embarrassing.

I'm quite happy to help the OP myself. It's not as if you have contributed anything, other than hot air.

Writing about activation codes when there is no 'activating' to be done.

A bit more humility would have stood you in good stead.

Wrong.

What is?

Your assertion that every Windows installation CD is the same.

Both of you asserting that all Windows XP discs are the same is equally ridiculous. If that were the case you would be able to activate a retail verson of XP with a VLK. You can't unless the modify the PID value.

The basic installation media is the same on all versions of OEM discs which is what the OP has installed. I thought that particular fact had been established some time ago. If he had a retail version, we wouldn't be having this conversation.

Jiu-Jitsu you are right but you are being a little pedantic. Remember the audience; they wouldn't ask the question in the first place if they had the faintest idea what a PID was. Clearly there are related identifiers (between the disk and the activation code) to prevent various versions from being used outside of their intended target market. But the fact remains that every disk of a certain type (student edition, for example) is the same. Xircal is right; we don't know what the tech used and until it's tested as suggested we won't know.

Please don't try to bluff your way out of your statement. You jumped in, brashly suggesting that we didn't know anything about the subject and were posting whilst drunk. You have been hoisted by your own petard.

The differences are clearly important and to suggest otherwise is not only irresponsible but clearly illustrates your lack of knowledge on the subject.

Perhaps it was unwise for you to appear to post whilst being drunk.

As to the disc being used, it is almost certainly a VL disc with a VLK. Anything else would incur a cost which would be passed o to the OP.

If you don't know, don't try to bluff it out and further confuse anyone else who may wish to gain knowledge from this thread.

Just ironic that you are doing the very thing that you claimed others were doing in your very first post. Funny. Not.

Both of you asserting that all Windows XP discs are the same is equally ridiculous. If that were the case you would be able to activate a retail verson of XP with a VLK. You can't unless the modify the PID value.

The basic installation media is the same on all versions of OEM discs which is what the OP has installed. I thought that particular fact had been established some time ago. If he had a retail version, we wouldn't be having this conversation.

Wrong. A Volume Licence disc is different from an OEM disc, which is different from a Retail disc. The OP does not have an OEM disc installed.

For that he would need a licence and activation. VL discs do not need to be activated.

Best to wind your neck in, as bluffing will not work with me. If you don't know, just admit that you don't know.

I have reloaded XP so many times I have lost count, from various disks I have laying around (I'm terrible at tracking and filing my original software). I have NEVER had a problem, even when I changed a motherboard. Yes, I always register. No, I don't run WGA (Windows Genuine Advantage) because I don't need to. I don't want to either, but that is a different discussion.

Read article #11

This being the case, if the OP reformats in order to erase the OS which has been installed by the Thai company, but fails to obtain an activation code from Microsoft for his own legal copy, then regardless of your particular experiences, he's left with a very large paperweight. His only choice then will be to go back to the Thai entity and have them reinstall their copy of the OS (they'll be more than happy to do so to earn a few hundred extra Baht), or buy a new PC.

By the way, every Windows installation CD is the same. So it doesn't matter which one you use. But then you would know that if you knew anything about installing operating systems.

Er, well, yes I know all CD's are the same, I said they're all the same, if you read my post properly, you'd realize that.

Since you are clearly one of the experts to whom I was referring, perhaps you'd be kind enough to explain to us all how the Thai entity will make their version of the o/s work. As soon as you go to microsoft for an upgrade ms will identify that a crack has been used or whatever the Thai entity does to work around licensing and you're knackered - or perhaps you're not, because unless things have changed they "forgive" already working software, but won't upgrade it.

Perhaps you'll also enlighten us as to how you know that ms will not reasonably offer another activation code? After all, it is in their interest to do so and in the event that they "see" the old board with the original key they can refuse support. The OP doesn't say whether he still has the key (it might be on his hardware somewhere) but even if he does not, ms obviously has his email so can reference he is genuine.

Look, I don't know any more than you do whether or not ms will or will not support the home version on a different board. I can tell you that my experience is that they will, because I've done it. They won't support XP Pro that he/she has installed at present if they know it is not a kosher copy. And none of us know that until the OP tries to upgrade. Might as well, nothing to lose, after all they're not going to send someone round to tell him he's a naughty boy now, are they? If they don't, make a cuppa and load the kosher version, then go through the upgrade pain to SP3 already outlined.

Hey, and read the post before typing, that way you won't look like you're not an expert, when you probably are.

It's quite ironic that you leap on to the thread loudly proclaiming your ignorance on the subject whilst berating others for their ignorance on the subject.

Xircal's supposition that the Thai technician has a legitimate VLK that he can share with his customers is just ludicrous. It is more likely that he is using a stolen one which hasn't yet been blacklisted. Chances that are it won't be at this stage. But if it does... VLK are for corporations, businesses, schools.. not for PC techs. The legitimate are more likely to use OEM licences. The system builder would be liable for support in this case. OEM licences are not free. Stolen VLKs are used in the XP discs sold ubiquitously in Thailand. They can easily modify these discs. Which is why you can find so many customised versions of XP around.

Both of you asserting that all Windows XP discs are the same is equally ridiculous. If that were the case you would be able to activate a retail verson of XP with a VLK. You can't unless you modify the PID value.

So rather than having to ramble on with this thread... if I write that I can help the OP with his reinstallation(which is what he asked), it means that I can.

Notwithstanding, if he is happy with the way it is now....we have a happy ending.

I have reloaded XP so many times I have lost count, from various disks I have laying around (I'm terrible at tracking and filing my original software). I have NEVER had a problem, even when I changed a motherboard. Yes, I always register. No, I don't run WGA (Windows Genuine Advantage) because I don't need to. I don't want to either, but that is a different discussion.

Read article #11

This being the case, if the OP reformats in order to erase the OS which has been installed by the Thai company, but fails to obtain an activation code from Microsoft for his own legal copy, then regardless of your particular experiences, he's left with a very large paperweight. His only choice then will be to go back to the Thai entity and have them reinstall their copy of the OS (they'll be more than happy to do so to earn a few hundred extra Baht), or buy a new PC.

By the way, every Windows installation CD is the same. So it doesn't matter which one you use. But then you would know that if you knew anything about installing operating systems.

Wrong.

Hi,

I read this post with interest as I am heading for Pattaya next week and was looking for a studio apartment or similar.

I have found one at 8500 per month online which I was considering taking. It is a high rise studio.

in Jomtien.

#would I get similar much cheaper if I waited until arrival ?

My requirements are simple but do want wireless internet.

Any idea's ?

Thanking you in hope of lots of good info

What happened to your 4000 baht per month search?

Well, Pattaya is noisy, busy, crowded, etc. If that is what you want, go for it. Jomtien is much less like that and more like Pacific Beach, CA (the best I can describe it, anyway.) Right now, I am paying 8000 for a nice studio AC room with WiFi. Downstairs I have little pool to play and cool off in, a great lounge area, Play Station, and bar, yet this place is quiet since it is on Thrappaya Soi 15. Just 2 minutes walk to a Songtau either direction. Don't get fooled - it's 10 Baht no matter where you go, not 20, unless you try to take a long scenic ride or something. Check out Pattaya Garden Apartments online.

Sounds like a great case of paranoia to me.

You're bitching and moaning about not being the first person to open the box? Geeze.

You want a warranty or not? You want to know the thing works before you pay your money or not?

You want to stand there for an hour or more while they load up any applications, perform an OS upgrade/check for upgrades ?

You sound like the same sort of person who complains that a new car odometer has a reading of 000006 on it - expecting the vehicle builder and showroom to carry the vehicle around.

Totally ridiculous post and bordering on trolling IMO

I think that most aptly describes your post.

I don't know why all this rambling......

The OP asked for help with a clean install, not for help in running a dodgy copy of Windows XP.

He can download IE8 from the web: http://www.microsoft...er/default.aspx There's nothing to prevent the OP from updating the OS and he should do that anyway.

If Firefox has been installed, it's most likely to be v3.0. So he should also go to the FF download site @ http://www.mozilla.com/en-US/ and update that too.

He shouldn't have to download IE individually, if Windows Updates are working and the installation can pass the WGA checks.

Personally, I always have that disabled because I don't want everything Microsoft wants to throw my way.

But anyway, he should download the latest version of IE from the link I already mentioned because older versions are vulnerable to a number of exploits.

That doesn't make a lot of sense to me....are you suggesting that he install IE8, but ignores the updates and patches??

I'm sure he doesn't want to mess around; combing through the updates before installation so that he can avoid WGA checks.

Better to have a fully activated OS from the beginning. He also has no idea of what else has been installed or modified. So he can a clean install with an unmodified disc. Can't be that difficult to decipher.

He can download IE8 from the web: http://www.microsoft...er/default.aspx There's nothing to prevent the OP from updating the OS and he should do that anyway.

If Firefox has been installed, it's most likely to be v3.0. So he should also go to the FF download site @ http://www.mozilla.com/en-US/ and update that too.

He shouldn't have to download IE individually, if Windows Updates are working and the installation can pass the WGA checks.

If you need help with this, I can help you. Will need to run a program or two in order to ascertain which Drivers you will need in advance and also to ascertain some details about the hardware and the disc you currently possess.

All this advice assumes that the copy of XP being used is an OEM version. If it's a full or an upgrade version it can be re-installed on as many different machines as you like - as long it's only installed on one machine at a time.

Absolutely Correct!

In early days of Windows XP there was no way for Microsoft to even know what motherboard was used when Windows XP was first installed on some machines.

Windows XP is not sold anymore, but it is still supported.

Generally speaking, if you buy a new PC, you get an OEM version of the OS. If you buy a retail version, then you would also know how to install it on a PC and therefore wouldn't be asking this question on the forum. Since the retail version is three times the cost of the OEM version, few people will opt to pay the extra when buying a new PC. If anything, it won't even be offered as an option.

As regard the comment about Microsoft not knowing which motherboard was installed in the machine, it hardly makes any difference. When any version of Windows is installed, the system creates a HAL (Hardware Extraction Layer) and talks to that. If you change the motherboard for a type which is not a clone of the original, the HAL will no longer match and will ultimately result in system instability.

After reinstalling the OS, the user has 30 days in which to activate it. The whole process is automatic, but will be checked against the original file. If a discrepancy is discovered, then activation won't take place. Without activation, the operating system will all but cease to function once the 30 days has expired.

The best option for the OP is to live with the OS which has been installed for him since a system builder will have a licence to do that, but to uninstall all the junk that came with it via Add/Remove Programs. Either that, or consider buying a new machine.

That doesn't make sense. It sounds as if he is saying that the system is not updating, as he is writing about an old version of IE. So if he can't update, it doesn't look as if it is licenced.

I too would not accept anything but a sealed box. Fine if they open the sealed box in front of me. Nothing less is acceptable unless I'm getting a discount for an opened box model.

I suppose these are desperate times, for some of these shonky operators. I would have just asked for security or airport management. Being threatned is not a non issue, I would have made sure of the powers to be at the airport are aware of it.

I presume you are talking about one of the young men sitting at the taxi desk? I would still go & report it to the airport management.

It's time to turn up the heat on BKK Airways ! Open for all to see, as you arrive at Samui Airport, you are met by touts who attempt to shove you into a taxi that will take you to Chaweng for Baht 600 or Lamai for Baht 800. Great first impressions ! My cabinet needs a Transport Minister and I don't mean one like that snake eyed character in Bangkok. Wot say you Jeanelle ?

Are you sure it's the fault of Bangkok Airways? Unless things have changed, Samui Accomm used to have a minibus concession there. Fares from 70 baht.

haven't gone anywhere... didn't see any 'technical questions' either. are you drunk?

and why on earth would you continue to use AVG if it were so ineffective... talk about laughable..

by the way, here's a review of MSE by pcmag (hey, look jiu, it's a 'pro'! )

http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2353699,00.asp

detects only 98% of trojans...and only 90% of adware and spyware samples...

MSE doesn't use behavior based detection either... ugh...

and to top it off...

" ....left behind significant amounts of non-executable malware traces. That's a better result than I measured - I found that Security Essentials left behind executable files for many of the samples. It also successfully removed all of their active rootkit samples but left several of mine running even after alleged cleanup."...

jiu, you really should think before you go recommending software such as that and sticking your neck out there like that bud.

You post a review of MSE from February 2009?? Are you drunk?

As to the Technical statement, I was not referring to yourself, as I'm sure that you have little or no technical knowledge when it comes to PCs.

Also your ability to comprehend is impaired. I spend a lot of time cleaning up other people machines of Trojans let in by AVG.

The fact that you post a review that is eighteen months old in order to try to bolster your case shows the paucity of your knowledge.

Give it a rest. Don't further embarrass yourself.

You can continue to use AVG if you wish, but don't try to drag others down with you too. Especially when you have such little knowledge about the subject.

And you turned around now....

It wasn't a question he asked, It was a request he made... and it was a rude one!

I gave these links because I wanted him to have a look. Install these and you will have most...if not all of the functionality in those packages that was discussed in the first place. I don't have any obligation to give the guy everything served on a silver plate.

Martin

I didn't ask you anything. I asked the person who wrote that there was better free software out there, to post specific links so that people could use them as an alternative to the software suggested in this thread.

To date, no one has dome so. All talk, but no action.

If you were serious in your suggestion, you could have suggested suitable programmes to be used in conjunction with WINE or again name the programs and suggest a dual boot system.

But instead you decided to create an infantile post. Neither answering the question nor providing any relevant information. Puerile.

At least he has attempted a reply now...without once mentioning CNET.

there's nothing wrong with AVG. they just came out with AVG 2011 with a host of improvements too.

any AV program you have is bound to miss some things. it's the most downloaded AV software from cnet. not that that makes it foolproof, but it certainly can't be considered 'crap'.

Unless you actually have some professional experience in using the product, maybe you should resist the putting of your neck on the line.

Witness this exchange. We are still waiting for the AVG representative to get back to us.

don't make me laugh out loud. re-read what i wrote again and take it as gospel.

I read what you wrote.. seems that you are taking the same line as the AVG representative on the other thread. Deflecting to the fact that it is a top download on CNET. But that doesn't mean that it is good. It means that a lot of people have know that it is a FREE solution. I used AVG 6 when I first began my use of PCs. Haven't used it since it completely missed an intrusion that AVAST was successful in blocking.

I've lost count of the amount of machine I have had to clear of Trojans because AVG was so ineffective in blocking them.

So don't try to deflect the serious issue of an ineffective product by trying to tell us it the most downloaded. Now that is laughable.

Shame he disappeared as soon as technical questions were put to him.

I don't need to Google. Since there was a claim of better software, it should be a short step to post a link to the better software.

gentoo.org

Ubuntu.com

Specific replacements for the software posted here.

I guess it's just easier to post throwaway comments.

If you want to take a look, navigate to: C:\ProgramData\Malwarebytes\Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware\

It over-writes it.