From: not@this.address.com   
      
   herman wrote:   
      
   > I bought a used laptop with xp sp3 on it. I have not updated windows or   
   > installed any patches to the OS. I do not have the OS install disks, the   
   > guy I bought it from did not bring them. The OS appears to be legit but   
   > for all I know it could be a pirated version-I haven't checked.   
      
   Depending on the age of the laptop, there may not be install disks.   
   Manufacturers -- to save money, I presume -- started putting a hidden   
   Restore partition on laptops instead of including a CD install disk.   
      
   Check on the bottom of the laptop for the OS license sticker.  It will   
   have the license number printed on it.  Then use a utility that is   
   available for free on the 'Net to read the number stored on the laptop.   
   If they are the same you are good to go.   
      
   > Is there an easy/fast way to update the OS? I want to keep xp sp3. I   
   > don't want to run into problems doing this so I must restore the   
   > partition (time consuming). Past experience with MS tells me to be   
   > cautious as what they say is easy often turns out to be a problem. I   
   > have had some crashes trying to use a vpn here and I think it's related   
   > to a windows conflict-tap driver won't install and gives me BSOD. Every   
   > thing else appears to work fine. Not sure if I should try to update the   
   > OS just to get this one, highly reviewed program to work. Thanks for any   
   > help; I did google this but there was nothing on this particular   
   > problem.   
      
   The first thing I would do is scan the machine for malware, etc.  Use   
   Malwarebytes Antimalware and SuperAntispyware.  Do the full scans.  It   
   will take time.  You need an Internet connection, too.  I would boot   
   into Safe Mode with Networking for these scans.  Then reboot running   
   CHKDSK to check (and correct, if possible) the hard drive for problems.   
      
   After that, if the laptop has a Restore partition, I would do a total   
   factory Restore.  Repeatedly press the F8 key while booting to get to   
   the boot options menu.   
      
   Good Luck.   
      
   Stef   
      
   --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05   
    * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)