T42 - TO VALIDATE OR NOT TO VALIDATE

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lynnja · #1 Post by **lynnja** » Fri Apr 11, 2008 5:49 pm

I bought my new T42 from ebay. Working great. Just wondering if I should validate windows or not. Emailed the Seller if I would have probs or not and he never got back with me....so not sure if I have a genuine copy. I have a COA, but who knows.

It sounds like in the future Microsoft is going to require it for future security updates. Already the Windows Media Player will not download unless you validate your copy of Windows first.

I am not sure what happens if you Validate Windows and it is not genuine....are you able to use the OS at all after that?

cmarti · #2 Post by **cmarti** » Fri Apr 11, 2008 5:58 pm

lynnja wrote:
I am not sure what happens if you Validate Windows and it is not genuine....are you able to use the OS at all after that?

You will be able to use it, but it will have a ugly star in the task bar next to the clock.

Do you have the COA attached?

lynnja · #3 Post by **lynnja** » Fri Apr 11, 2008 5:59 pm

Yes there is a COA attached to bottom of laptop

#4 Post by **richk** » Fri Apr 11, 2008 7:07 pm

That COA makes it valid as long as the previous owner didn't install a purcharse copy of his own to replace the one from factory or recovery disks or recovery partition. As long as it is an IBM OEM copy, you're OK and can validate.

#5 Post by **KristianJ** » Fri Apr 11, 2008 7:12 pm

If you do need copies of the T42 recovery discs (and they're always very handy to have if you find that your hard drive doesn't have the recovery partition), several members (including myself) can possibly create some for you - usually at a small fee, but generally it'll be cheaper from ordering direct from Lenovo.

Stan · #6 Post by **Stan** » Fri Apr 11, 2008 7:34 pm

You need to validate the installation of Windows that came with your T42, if it is a legal copy then you should be OK. If validation fails then you should report the seller to MS's anti- piracy division as all legal Windows installations on IBM ThinkPads should pass validation.

If you are a victim of piracy and MS doesn't help you (if you have a legal COA on the base of the T42) then report back.

chan_man · #7 Post by **chan_man** » Sat Apr 12, 2008 9:47 pm

If the seller had used the IBM recovery disks for this T42, you will not be asked to validate the copy, so it sounds like this is a purchased copy or some disks that was used to install onto your T42. It is better to just get a set of recovery disks and reformat the machine. Or you will have to call up Microsoft and ask for them how to validate your copy using the COA...

tirant · #8 Post by **tirant** » Mon Apr 14, 2008 8:39 am

Just validate. If it doesn't, you have the option to go to a microsoft.com page, and then change your windows serial. just use the one on your COA and you will be done.

I have done this before

thermiGR · #9 Post by **thermiGR** » Mon Apr 14, 2008 4:24 pm

Suppose that you have a pirate copy winXp sp2.
Make what sujests here : http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?t=59485
Change the XP key with this under your laptop and then you are sure with a valid copy.
I made it to my laptop (from USA) with a pirate xp copy (Greek) and works fine.

#10 Post by **jdhurst** » Mon Apr 14, 2008 4:52 pm

If you have a decent machine (I mean a decent T42), then purchase recovery CD's. You do not have to activate a properly imaged IBM computer. And it it is decent condition, it is worth the cost for recovery CD's as it will run reliably. My T41 has been going for years using the image IBM supplied and then constantly tuned and updated over the years. .. JDH

T42 - TO VALIDATE OR NOT TO VALIDATE

T42 - TO VALIDATE OR NOT TO VALIDATE

Re: T43 - TO VALIDATE OR NOT TO VALIDATE

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