Illegal copy of Vista

Finally getting around to finishing up this topic.

I was able to get into the computer, "remembered password thank goodness". (Daughter's S.O. wanted to take it to another friend.)

Computer was working fine and showed daughter it was working. Sent it home with daughter. She takes it into house and calls me and says it will not work.

Next day I go look and I tell her that her hard drive bit the dust. (As the new kitty was still sneaking into the tower because they hadn't closed it up yet)

Her S.O. knows someone who says they can fix it. Daughter calls me and I say, sure let him have it.

Next day, hear that the friend says the hard drive is fried and he can get them a new one for a hundred bucks. I say go for it, but get your old hard drive back. And make sure you get what you had (not sure they even knew).

They get computer back and the friend tells the S.O. that he restored their hard drive back to Windows, removed Vista and charged them 100 smackaroos for the new hard drive.

All I can do is shake my head.

And explain why that was wrong. Argh!

So, S.O. comes home that day with the old hard drive. Need I say more.

No.

I think not. 

If I was standing on a fish, I'd slip and fall......

 Making a good faith effort this afternoon to remedy this.  Have been to busy to get it completed yet. 

Appreciate all the replies and will look at everything and answer all your questions/suggestions.

Ashton ~ not for Vista I am being told so far.....but will check that out soon.

Be back later. 

If I was standing on a fish, I'd slip and fall......

Hi, I've only read like half this thread so far so forgive me if I repeat something.

I have a computer that I've put together over a couple years, and as a warning, I'd like to say installing Vista is a bad idea if you have a homemade. 

I'm considering buying an HP or something similiar with Vista already installed, since I like it and I'm using it here at work.  It's a memory hog for one thing, and although my computer at home runs on 2 gigs, it's still giving me problems.  Secondly, running an NVidia on a Vista has MANY known issues that I couldn't resolve before I uninstalled my copy of Vista.  In short, don't use Vista until there is at least a service pack released.

For your problem, Lynn, I've never found Windows restore to be of any use.  I keep everything on a secondary hard drive in my computer so that I may reformat the OS if need be.  I remember losing all my personal files from school and being heart-broken, so yea, this could be a great learning experience for your daughter.

There are ways to crack that login screen, I've seen it before, but just don't know how.  If anyone remembers, clue me in.  Hopefully you're on a network when it happens.

For your daughter's computer, you should download a bootable XP and it should load at start.  Obviously, in order to do this, it'll probably come with a pirated key, but you have one, so no worries.  Just make sure you're downloading the right version of XP.

ooops,

Almost forgot that if it was a "upgrade" then the COA and password for the laptop should be the same as it was before.

THe COA would be what was formally the id code for the Windows XP or ME or 2000 "legalness" would apply to the Upgrade/

For instance this Dell I'm on was originally a DOS Machine, then a Window 3.1, then 2000, then NE, the XP and the COA has been the same since 2000/ME so if I ever have to re-install Window XP entering the COA will make the Copy "Legal"

I am betting on the Install that this "Ron" didn't type the Windows COA information on your computer either found in it's "properties" manager on on the back or top of the compter or underside of a laptop (whether 2000,ME,XP) as that code is embedded into your computer and Windows only knows it is an "illegal Copy" cause the COA in the COmputer's circutry doesn't match what was typed into the COA field on installing (Had "illigal copies" result from typos over the years)

Have you tried just hitting Enter and Enter (leaving the name and password empty)?

Unless a password was set it is usually if the security features "ask for password" is on until a password is created.

Some computers may also have "luggage" passcodes (1,2,3,4) stuck on them by bulk licence installers.

 I'd like to warn everyone that if you have an illegal copy of Vista you better get to backing up your files and correcting your problem.

I was suppose to do payroll this morning for a company that has 5 stores around town.  No go.

His son installed Vista.  Vista was not a legal copy.  I have told them that.

By the time I got to the main office, they had torn apart the other computer and brought in a beautiful new laptop for me to work on.  The son had attempted to load the Quickbooks software for me on the new laptop.

I realized that meant no backups. 

Except for the backup I did on August 16, 2007 just so I have a backup for emergencies like this.  Now I only have one payroll to reinput.  And get today's payroll out.

Sitting here at home while I download all the payroll updates and registration for the client on his new laptop because he doesn't have internet yet.

I offered no suggestions because the old computer was walking out the door and with a new HPv9000 laptop sitting there,  well it called to me.  And....they are done with Vista now.

My laptop is a HPv4000 and boy is there a difference.  I need a new laptop! 

If I was standing on a fish, I'd slip and fall......

I get the feeling you might be hitting a dead end soon, so please do give a check up.