<3M> ok guys i've finally got my windows me machine up and running again if everything seems to be running well on windows me you've obviously overlooked something....<3M> who is general failure and why is he reading my hard disc somehow, "i told you so" doesn't quite say it
If your a windows user and don't like linux use the copy you have dont update it or expect any updates from microsoft using that version and then wait till next year jan. and get windows vista.
i still don't see why it is illegal the cd is useless with out a product code but w/e. where did you purcuse your laptop and what company? have you asked them for help. EDIT: stupid me. I had to reread the post. Yeh they guy that installing it on your laptop didn't want to use the product code on that he had so he probably found one on the internet. Then used a method (I will not mention here because it is illegal to do this) to activate windows without calling microsoft the activation code. If your a windows user and don't like linux use the copy you have dont update it or expect any updates from microsoft using that version and then wait till next year jan. and get windows vista.
try looking up ReactOS and use that it runs windows applications but is a free os.
Which is just as non-Windows as the React OS solution Xeniczone proposed.