I received a donated computer with w. xp installed (no backup CD). When I tried to update the o.s., Microsoft sent a permanent banner on the desktop of my computer wich is a warning about ilegal copies. I got a legal serial number of w. xp.
EWell if its been donated, it needs to be wiped clean anyway. You have no idea what they have been doing on it, there could be something illegal on it besides software.
If you have a copy of windows XP
Format the PC, Reinstall XP and use your legal serial.
Ive also never heard or seen a banner placed on a desktop before. Typically Windows update installs the Windows Genuine Advantage tool that pops up all the tim telling you your copy is not legit.
Hope this shed some light on the subject, best of luck. Posts back if you need any further help.
Its nothing to worry about. u can format the computer if u want to get rid of it or u can simply ignore it.
To resolve this issue, please follow one of the following methods.
Use the Recovery Console Tool:
To restore a damaged registry hive, use the Recovery Console to restore the backup copy of the hive from the Repair folder. The Repair folder contains a copy of the system's registry hives that were created after the first successful startup of Windows XP.
WARNING : Although data should not be affected by the following procedure, you may need to restore changes you previously made to programs or system settings since the first time you successfully started Windows XP.
To replace the damaged registry hive and restore the backup copy of the hive from the Repair folder: Start your computer to the Recovery Console. You need your original XP CD, boot your PC from the CD and press R when it say 'Press 'R' to use recovery console.
In Recovery Console, change to the c:\Windows folder.
Type cd system32\config , and then press ENTER.
Type dir system , and then press ENTER.
If you cannot run the preceding command successfully (because the file is missing), skip to step 3. If you can run the preceding command successfully, type ren system system.bak , and then press ENTER.
Type copy c:\windows\repair\system , and then press ENTER.
NOTE : If the message that you received referred to the software file, replace "system" with "software" in the preceding command. For example, you would type copy c:\windows\repair\software (instead of copy c:\windows\repair\system ), and then press ENTER.
You should receive a "One file copied" informational message. For additional information about how to use Recovery Console during startup, click the article number below to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
Q307654 HOW TO: Install and Use the Recovery Console for Windows XP
IMPORTANT : If you encounter problems when you run the preceding commands, you may need to use the Change Directory command ( cd ) one folder at a time before you run the preceding commands. For example, type cd system32 , press ENTER, type cd config , and then press ENTER.
Type exit , and then press ENTER to quit Recovery Console and restart the computer.
i understand this looks a litle daunting, please get back to me if you have any trouble with this.
Here is the solution right from Microsoft.
SYMPTOMS
When you try to start or restart your Windows XP-based computer, you may receive one of the following error messages:
Windows XP could not start because the following file is missing or corrupt: \WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\CONFIG\SYSTEM
Windows XP could not start because the following file is missing or corrupt: \WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\CONFIG\SOFTWARE
Stop: c0000218 {Registry File Failure} The registry cannot load the hive (file): \SystemRoot\System32\Config\SOFTWARE or its log or alternate
CAUSE
This issue can occur if the System or Software hive for the Windows XP installation is missing or damaged.
RESOLUTION
To resolve this issue, use one of the following methods.
Use the Recovery Console Tool
To restore a damaged registry hive, use the Recovery Console to restore the backup copy of the hive from the Repair folder. The Repair folder contains a copy of the system's registry hives that were created after the first successful startup of Windows XP.
WARNING : Although data should not be affected by the following procedure, you may need to restore changes you previously made to programs or system settings since the first time you successfully started Windows XP.
To replace the damaged registry hive and restore the backup copy of the hive from the Repair folder: Start your computer to the Recovery Console.
Determine if the file that is mentioned in the "Symptoms" section of this article is present, and if it is, rename it:
In Recovery Console, change to the c:\Windows folder.
Type cd sytem32\config , and then press ENTER.
Type dir system , and then press ENTER.
If you cannot run the preceding command successfully (because the file is missing), skip to step 3. If you can run the preceding command successfully, type ren system system.bak , and then press ENTER.
NOTE : If the message that you received referred to the software file, replace "system" with "software" in the preceding command. For example, you would type ren software software.bak (instead of ren system system.bak ), and then press ENTER.
Type copy c:\windows\repair\system , and then press ENTER.
NOTE : If the message that you received referred to the software file, replace "system" with "software" in the preceding command. For example, you would type copy c:\windows\repair\software (instead of copy c:\windows\repair\system ), and then press ENTER.
You should receive a "One file copied" informational message. For additional information about how to use Recovery Console during startup, click the article number below to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
Q307654 HOW TO: Install and Use the Recovery Console for Windows XP
IMPORTANT : If you encounter problems when you run the preceding commands, you may need to use the Change Directory command ( cd ) one folder at a time before you run the preceding commands. For example, type cd system32 , press ENTER, type cd config , and then press ENTER.
Type exit , and then press ENTER to quit Recovery Console and restart the computer.
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