USB 2.0 PCI Card-drivers and snide copy of XP

[evian]

Hello.
Installed a USB 2.0 PCI card in my machine yesterday. Problem is it is only working at USB 1 speeds. I tried to follow the instructions to install the drivers off the CD but it does not follow the steps that are documented in the manual. Basically I get messages saying that the new hardware has been recognised and that I should run Windows Update to get the drivers. My problem is that I have a snide copy of XP so cannot do so. Is there anything I can do? Advice would be appreciated.

[father smurf]

i dnt think hexus will help if u hav a dodgy copy of windows - but microsoft may b happy 2.

[father smurf]

(i gues thats what snide means - if not - im sory)

[evian]

The PC was bought from a second hand shop and it doesn't pass Microsoft's validation checks. Does anyone know if my problem is due to this and this alone? I don't want to spend £80+ on a legit XP version if the bloody thing still won't work.

Please excuse my ignorance, I am new to all this techy stuff.

[Steven W]

Hi Evian,

Looks like you've been done with a dodgy copy. I'm afraid it's against our policy for us or our readers to offer any advice on pirated copies of Windows.

Hope you sort it out, but I'm afraid we won't be able to help.

[dangel]

Ring MS and explain you been a victim of being sold pirate software - they'll likely cut you a very good deal in return for the details of the supplier.

[bledd]

buy xp home oem, its about 50 quid

SP2 is solidly stable compared to anything before it too

[alsenior]

if there is a coa on the base the chaps here at hexus will help you if there isn't ring microsoft and they will sell you a legal copy at a reduced price in return for the suppliers details

[-ChEM-]

they'll likely cut you a very good deal in return for the details of the supplier.

i dont think grassing someone up and destroying their business when they were just selling on 2nd hand is really appropriate (even if it is for the Almighty Genuine Advantage)

if you were told you would get XP as part of the package, then go and demand a working key and licence

if you weren't specifically told that in so many words but you still feel you've been deceived then ring microsoft, tell them you've not passed WGA and ask them what they can do, then hang up and explain to the people in the shop that MS are offering a legit copy for £xx in exchange for their heads

that should get you an equivalent deal

[grayg1]

It is actually possible you have a legit Windows XP but it fails the check. I have heard of people who have problems with the Windows Genuine Advantage (WGA) checks. I wouldn't go shooting your mouth off accusing the shop about selling fake Windows but I would have a word with them about it.

[alsenior]

i dont think grassing someone up and destroying their business when they were just selling on 2nd hand is really appropriate (even if it is for the Almighty Genuine Advantage)

that's utter crap and you know it. if it does not have the licence it's not legal and what they are doing is braking the law. you can aregue about the morality of it until your blue in the face but that the be all and end all. not only have they infringed copyright law but they have broken the sales of goods act if they have advertised it as coming with windows xp

[IAmATeaf]

So do you have a snide copy of SP2 installed on your snide XP installation?

[alsenior]

So do you have a snide copy of SP2 installed on your snide XP installation?

No. in my younger years i used to pirate but not any more. legal is the only way to guarantee that what your getting is all the genuine article.

[evian]

So do you have a snide copy of SP2 installed on your snide XP installation?

Yes. And I also managed to get my Windows legitimised. Cough. Ran all the Windows updates but still can't get it to work at USB 2.0 speeds.

[christt]

have you tried installing the card drivers again or finding the most up to date ones off their site?

[evian]

have you tried installing the card drivers again or finding the most up to date ones off their site?

Yup. Someone has suggested that the motherboard (?) is not USB 2.0 compatible but one of my more techy friends had a play with the BIOS (?) etc and couldn't see why it wouldn't work. His thinking is that the PCI card is not USB 2.0.