Decided on the holidays to upgrade my Dell Optiplex G-260 computer with a new operating system. Change planned was to upgrade from Windows 2000 to Windows XP. The old was satisfactory, but was beginning to reach limits. It did bring in Flash & Streaming video/audio; and worked well with our local Concast.net broadband; but I decided to change.
So, watched eBay and put in a couple of bids for Windows XP, but the price didn't match my satisfaction (my computer is second hand but good) - was trying to stay about $65. So I looked at eBAY more, and found an OS Windows XP Professional "BUY IT NOW" offer (spares the auction) with free shipping from California. I took it; used my PayPal and paid. A day or three later, I had an e-mail saying the product was no longer available. (Aaye-ah, they had advertised and stated a price and terms and I had paid - then they said they did not have it after the fact - no shipment.)
So I waited for a resolution from eBay & PayPal (PAYPAL would have to refund me) which process locked up the matter & the money; and the seller meanwhile seemingly "quit" eBAY. That also meant I could not contact anyone but PAYPAL-eBAY.
Last mid week, this package came in the mail. It appeared to be the unavailable item, sudenly available, in mixed book & EMS Postage form from ShenDong China.
I opened it, and it was the WINDOWS XP PRO package, with its promised Certificate of Authenticity (COA) the genuine validity etc.
So I released the PayPal-eBAY hold via their complaint process; and the complaint was closed/cancelled.
Now I planned to spend a time (not too long) at the home oomputer, and to upgrade. Considered making a back-up - via which I found that Windows does back-ups -- but they can only be saved in "A" drive - floppies or their fat zip load cousins (or an external back-up drive appliance (taping etc); they cannot be saved to my DV/CD/CDRW drives. (I also read later that one might save them to "C" drive and copy them as a mail attachment and if under 1-G as a back-up file, store them at one's GoogleMail if one has one.) So, instead, mainly I conserved my Flash & prior disc back ups and copies of images and other docs; and the ISP (COMCAST) stored my e-mail files (had only been thee months and a half in use). (PICASA, do note, DOES do DVD or CD back-ups of images even on a Windows computer with their image/pictures program - check it out under PICASA's tools options, etc).
So I readied an upgrade; disconnected the peripherals (camera, printer) and went to work.
The disk I had of Windows-XP was sealed and looked genuine; it came sealed like a Microsoft mailer pack, with a manual (not a bestseller sized book box). I opened it and read the manual; the COA was on the manual's back. It is as I learned a COA (Certificate of Authenticity) like those on pre-installed computers & similar to editions issued by Microsoft. It also had its 20 digit key number properly printed & secure. All looked A-OK.
As I readied to apply the disk, I read off its holographic front, that it wasn't intended to be sold separately (but was evidently an accompaniment option for sale with/ or add-on to a new computer. Did I get "screwed"? Well no, I reasoned, eBAY had so many, and I had bought used computers and knew that USA rules on software separate sale & re-sale had changed; and that these appeared approved-surplus-re-sells.
So, I opened my computer on my Administrator account, popped in the disk and waited. It played and opened; rolled to the Key number entry (miskeyed once - "invalid"!) then carefully keyed in the right number and it was accepted. I started with the broadband line connected so that later file updates from MS could be picked up and incorporated into the booting. Then after saying the process would take 59 minutes or so, it suddenly said:
"ACCESS DENIED .. unable to locate create or modify a necessary file -- error report - "winnt.sif" was missing."
So I read up on the file; tried again, and the same thing. winnt.sif is a background user (really the computer machine's profile) like bio data - location; computer name & maker; time zone, etc. with "sif" meaning system information file. That's good.
More reading (see under BING.com - winnt.sif wiki (check that wiki Australia file) and its explained and a draft file is there. Others had had the same difficulty. -- But you can create a winnt.sif file on a floppy disk (a:\ drive again) and insert in at the start of the Windows CD process and it -the booting process - would "catch" the new winnt.sif in its file sweep/search pick-up.
Had to get some clean floppies though ( they ARE getting scarce) and drafted and personalized one and readied to retry it. Also did a manual computer search (select START then key search for terms, files etc) but did not find one winnt.sif in my PC. Did find another one in the PC via the START key, then ACCESSORIES, then System - which when checked under 'properties' gave a Systemt Check and a WINNT file.
One can even save one via Windows --already written . would it work? Problem was how it saved. You don't save as a .txt but as a .sif. When the windows process saved and made one it looked and saved good, could be saved to a separate floppy, but turns out to be a "mif" or "msnf" or similar (for Microsoft information file) and can't be re-written.
So it looked as if the "unattended" user friendly stuff was over. Read a bit more, and as I needed some fresh lore, checked some library books on Windows XP out; and decided that I'd do it from CD direct boot. That meant, I would place the new OS disk in the CD-Rom drive; shut down and re-start; then when prompted during the 're-boot' starting - select REBOOT /BOOT from CD. (That's in the flashing menu on the unadorned 'blackboard'.
So that's what I did. The CD option was selected instead of the fullWindows 2K re-boot normal; the process then requested the disk drive to use (I have a D & E so selected the one with the CD in it). The new program began normally, and started listing fresh options. I also had to decide whther to partition (to keep in a side file on the same disk) or let go of the Windows 2K; so I let it go - there wasn't a lot of space for a "bifurcated" split partitioned new installation (two options side by side).
So I selected "wipe-out" and ereased the old OS to make room (it actually stood by short-term in case of application failure) and went on. The disk was erased; don't think the Windows 2k survived and didn't expect it to.
The computer then began the new application; formatted the hard drive; began loading the files; and transferring them; then asked me for the place and operation time of the computer; the Area code; and then the KEY NUMBER again. It was entered, and the program was under way. It began programming and installing a "clean new installation - no re-write, no upgrade".
The program worked properly, and WInDOWS XP was under way. It loaded, and then shut-down and restarted with Windows XP images and that new yet familiar (I ahd used it before) browser. It was OK. I reloaded some programs; and re-connected some peripherals (camera & scanner-printer) and then as I opened the internet; found that their was no sound. Not even more than a bare "peep" for an opene file etc. certainly no streaming audio or WMP music sound; but there was streaming video.
So thinking that something was missed; I disconnected it (de-installed by re-installing after trying a repair as program optioned) and did it again hoping the "sound drivers" would be there. THEY WERE INSTALLED in a pack. (I had done a thorough trouble shoot too - which told me all drivers and configurable equipment were OK) but that I had no Audio Hardware. WHAT!!??
That's why I reloaded, and/but it happened again - no sound. Had continued to check the books & a net search on Windows XP, but found no openly stated anomaly in a short search. Considered checking DELL and began to also consider a new Sound Card - $15). I reasoned that it would be new upgraded hardware with a driver (program). Almost bought one; but came home and finished checking some more, and since I did have an operable browser; and checked out the site of my computer maker DELL for 'trouble-shooting".
Matched my computer (serial number) on my DELL Account page (start one for free even if you don't own DELL) as before; and as I was checking the trouble-shooting, DELL produced a list of acceptable (FREE & useful upgrades) for my model. I loaded all I could before supper.
With DELL, downloads, you select and load them to your "DESKTOP file" - not any other directory - then open them with a click on the start-up desktop screen - they'll open, an unzip sometimes, and save them as suggested/recommended (usually on c drive. They'll then open, and run with an installation/application that way.
One I was interested in was an "Audio File" for Analog VGA adjustments from year 2003-4. (Guess they'd had some other users with a sound issue via XP. When I opened and installed that one, it splashed "SOUNDMAX" over the screen. EUREKA! I thought! That and a few others (that one alone for sound) did it. After the Audio file installed, the computer wanted to restart - it did so .. and suddenly & soundly made a big stereo sound "TA DA" as it finished closing. It worked. Same performance on re-booting/reopening.
So my Windows XP is installed. Had nothing but a few sundry files of the other with Windows 2000 not already saved. It is a pleasure.
WINDOWS XP ws commended by DELL as a capacitied upgrade for my model -- likely the top with its manufacturers core and ram & hardrive capacities. (DELL OPTIPLEX G260).
I did also have to do some other odd adjustment - monitor controls didn't work the same - so I had to adjust screen size & color through the Intel Graphic & Game Controller file under "Advanced" in the monitor settings -Appearance (color and resolution and hertz - go up way up from 480 x 600 & 8 bit default).
Now, next, being a Windows devotee .. I registered for updates, and went to "validate" the issue I had of Windows XP. Guess what? IT may be "counterfeit or unauthorised! They told me tah after accepting me and checking and loading about 59 Windows security updates, among others. But as it turns out, it is likely a genuine original Windows XP - issued ONLY for sale with a new computer for optional installation; and released for re-sale as surplus --- maybe not de-authorised for re-sale -- a book-keeping glitch.
Actually I think the main "invalidity" reason is to avoid Windows having to spend more on you than you did on their product in long-term updates and the Windows Advantage Plan (available with service packs) with updates etc., is denied to "non-valid" editions of Windows XP.
So that's where I stand. Awaiting out Windows response and their styling of "may be in genuine - contact for further resolution -(which I have)" appears as a transparency on the front corner of the desktop screen. Could also be someone else tried to register the number.
I can be and probablyt is ... fall-out from the antitrust "chill" of Windows-Microsoft v. Netscape.
Some of these extra opt-in editions were authorised. If they "validate" it they have to serve it; if its counterfeit they can stop or ban it. If its sold without a service package, then its OK (maybe - they say that & so do I). It was a lawful confused re-sell by some vendor who evidently bought a ot of optional Windows XOP OS packages.
I'll keep you posted. As a customer I become a victim. If it's pirated or counerfeit, then Microsoft may 'reward' me with a new one as a service for the notification. Otherwise its running and doing well.
Had read afterwards that some of these didn't boot up 'user-friendly" because that absent winnt.sif file, would be found in the 'class' of computers which they had been planned for new sale, self-installation, with a new computer purchase. The sales/seller representation with COA is apparently bona-fide. The restricted use was why the winnt.sif matter occurred. But if it were illicit or counterfeit - it would be stopped now. Am waiting for a MicroSoft resolve. It seems a re-sale of a surplus unused vendor 'add-on'.
Check back here & trying one of these yourself is your business. MICROSOFT-Windows do have a "VALIDITY & COUNTERFEIT" goods site -- but I did not know that before I attempted further registration. I may just have a lower cost Windows XP package that Microsoft is absolving itself from "serving" with later life updates.
Mine was produced about 2002 with some later dates 2004 & cost $38.
Don't fret over this now, really, I'm just a computer user (minor geek) and a sometimes lawyer-writer - a layman.
Ciao
