I think my computer is operating on windows 6, when it should be working on windows XP as it used to do. I have no idea what changed it to windows 6.

Can some explain to me what to do to get back to windows XP?

Many thanks my Brothers!

Chap

What's a windows 6 my brother? I have never heard of that! Vista or 7 or 8 yes but 6? Maybe I missed that one! XP rules!

Partner,

Thats what is says. Where do I go in this junk pile to figure out what windows Im using?

go to control panel
click on system

There you should see what edition of windows you are running.

Also, check your system for viruses and/or malware!!!!! (windows xp is very bad for such stuff unless you run without admin privileges!!!!!)

Gordon,

It says I'm using windows 7! Where the hell is XP? The computer is two years old.

Chap

Don't know how to answer your question about what happened to xp.

If computer is only 2 years old it should have come with win 7, although I wasn't there so I really don't know what you actually bought or what happened if it changed.

I have never heard of a pc upgrading itself from xp to win 7, that usually requires a manual (and lengthy) process.

Now, it could be possible that if the pc came with win 7 and was downgraded to xp (a lot of people actually did that) and then was restored to the factory image which would be win 7. Although, I would think that if that happened all your settings, files and data would be gone also and that doesn't usually happen by itself.

So, in other words, I have no way of knowing what is going on with your pc, although I would scan it for virus/malware.

I found a great freeware site for downloading all kinds of neat software. It includes Avast and Malwarebytes. I recommend both and do a full system scan.

https://ninite.com/

Good luck

Wow. It does seem Chap that you got yourself some major virus or an unintentional upgrade going on. Hard to tell without seeing your machine. If all fails try recovery console in XP at the startup. Usually F8 button gives you the choice. But I have seen some using F11 or F12 once you get the black screen choose Windows XP Recovery Console and pick a date when it was still booting into XP.

I believe I'm going to put Linux Mint on my XP machines.

LinuxMint is a very good alternative to xp.

If you are going to stay with MS then windows 8 is absolutely ms best option.

One of these days I will finish my Win 7 upgrade (from XP).

I bought a new HD and am loading 7 on the new drive... just never get around to working on it.

When it is ready... I will just change the boot sequence and call the new HD :C and the existing ... and still have access to all the files.

Question for you Gordon: If I still have a drive in the computer with XP on it... even though it is not the boot drive and not the OS in use... will the vulnerabilities to malware that SP has (which Win7 does not) be an issue--just because the software is there?
THX!

Malware usually targets the running os so that it can do something, although if you disable all the security (UAC) then you will no longer own your computer and malware can do ANYTHING.

THX Gordon.

May call you just before I start up the new OS... I will owe you dinner next time I am down in FL for gyro time...

Actually... I have a couple of other issues... probably will Email you over the weekend.