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Yup, Microsoft paranoia. XP updates stopped working a while back on my Acer netbook also. And, it did not come with the real Windows CD that MS says is required to recover the files needed for update to work. The restore partition that completely wipes all of your data was removed by a Big Box store reinstall that wiped my data when the netbook was still new. (there was nothing wrong with the HD, the problem was a bad power connector) I ran a malware scan and removed a virus. but I cannot legally get the Windows files that the virus trashed that allow update to work because MS refuses to allow it without paying for Windows again. My solution, after beating my head against the Microsoft wall for a week – dump the windows and install Linux. There is nothing that I use that netbook for that absolutely requires windows. I backed up my documents and browser bookmarks onto a USB stick. Then copied them back onto the Linux. Instead of the crippled version of MS Office that came with the laptop, I used Libre Office – it has no problems with the MS .doc or even the .docx formats. The Linux version of Firefox was able to instantly recognize all of my add ons and bookmarks. AND, it runs a bit faster. I have never been a big linux fan until this.

You will need a CD (or Win on a USB) to reinstall. It must be the same version (home, pro etc) Unfortunately, many computer manufacturers don’t bother to provide the CD. And many users have lost or misplaced their CD (if they ever had one) over the years. Once upon a time, there was a site that provided FREE copies of each version, sans a activation key. But in their zeal to stop piracy, MS shut them down. While I don’t like piracy and believe they should all be keelhauled. This does absolutely nothing to stop piracy, and instead actually forces legitimate users to resort to using stolen pirated versions acquired from dodgy torrent sites. MS should require computer makers to supply the original CD instead of making it so much more difficult for ligit users than pirates to reinstall Windows. You can instead either do what MS recommends and Buy a copy of Win8 from them. (this being their current solution to any reinstall needs) Or buy, for much less, a downloadable copy of WinXP (again without the key)from one of various online providers. It is that key that makes the copy legitimate.

Sorry about the rant, I do free support for low income elders, and this has been an ongoing pain for me when a virus or grandkid wrecks a part of the OS. And it then needs either a repair install or full reinstall. They never have the original Windows disk.

While I do agree a registry cleaner is rarely needed, I have come on one instance where it is required. I spend some time as a moderator on a major game site. One big problem with several of the games we support is when a user attempts to uninstall then reinstall the game in a new location – such as in a different folder or on on a second hard drive. This is allowed by the game.

However, the uninstall leaves behind several registry entries that cause the game to fail to start in the new location. You can either go into regedit (not recommended for most gamers) and manually remove those entries, or run a registry cleaner. If you run it PROPERLY. Reboot after uninstalling the game, run the cleaner, then reboot again. It removes all of the problem entries. Allowing you to reinstall in a new location. Just about any registry cleaner will work, however In my tutorial on how to do this I recommend using the FREE Ccleaner slim which runs very quickly and does a good job with no collateral damage.